Empowering Communication: Public Speaking & Interview Skills Course for Secondary Students

Effective communication and collaboration skills are essential across all industries and at every stage of life. Whether in professional settings or everyday interactions, being able to express our thoughts and emotions effectively helps us build stronger relationships. Practically speaking, good interview skills are crucial—not only as a platform to showcase our professional knowledge and strengths but also as an opportunity to persuade interviewers to trust and select us as ideal candidates. Thus, enhancing communication and interview skills is vital for personal development, enabling us to stand out in a competitive society. Unfortunately, relevant training is often overlooked in today's educational system.

In the first semester of the 2024/25 academic year, the INSPIRE® Education Team under Coxana™ visited Po Leung Kuk Wu Chung College to deliver the "Empowering Communication: Public Speaking & Interview Skills Training" course to Form 4 students. Conducted over four sessions (each lasting 70 minutes), our INSPIRE® instructors guided students through key elements of verbal communication, interviewing techniques, structured thinking, and effective self-expression. Students actively engaged in class, practicing to articulate their thoughts clearly, logically, and persuasively, significantly enhancing their competitive edge.

Understanding the Essence of Communication

We began the course by delving into the core purpose of speech, focusing on the expression of ideas, emotions, and intentions. Effective communication is not merely about transmitting information; it involves meaningful emotional connection and clear intent.

To help students organize their presentations effectively, we introduced a structured speaking method—"Why → How → What." This approach not only captures audience attention but also ensures the message is clearly conveyed. Through interactive exercises, students practiced the "1-minute elevator pitch," applying this framework to enhance their organizational skills. At the end of the session, instructors encouraged students to implement these newly acquired communication skills actively in daily life, thus improving their overall confidence and expressiveness.

Overcoming Nervousness, Building Confidence

Our second session addressed the common challenge of managing nervousness during public speaking or interviews and provided strategies to boost self-confidence. We explored practical methods for staying calm under pressure and maintaining logical coherence in speech.

We categorized speech skills into three progressive stages: Competence → Proficiency → Mastery, guiding students step-by-step to elevate their speaking abilities. With practice, students became more poised, confident, and persuasive in their presentations and interviews, better capturing audience attention.

From Personal Speaking Skills to Effective Interview Techniques

The third lesson specifically focused on interview skills. Our instructors explained the objectives of interviews, emphasizing them as two-way interactions involving mutual exchange and evaluation. Students learned the crucial role of self-introduction during interviews, including how to clearly articulate their backgrounds, motivations, and unique qualities.

We also introduced the "STAR" interview method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to facilitate structured responses when presenting personal strengths and weaknesses. Students learned not only to clearly illustrate their skills and achievements but also to effectively discuss their weaknesses—demonstrating self-awareness and proactive improvement plans—thus setting themselves apart from other candidates.

Mastering Interview Psychology and Effective Responses

In our final session, we concentrated on interview response techniques, highlighting the interactive relationship between candidates and interviewers. Students learned how to establish rapport effectively, understand interviewers' intentions, and authentically present themselves in ways that leave positive impressions.

Through practical examples, students practiced interpreting interviewers' underlying questions and expectations. We emphasized four key response strategies:

1. Active Listening—Identifying interviewers' focal points from their questions.

2. Clear Communication—Directly addressing interviewers' curiosity and concerns.

3. Logical Expression—Demonstrating structured thinking and clear articulation.

4. Highlighting Strengths—Effectively showcasing personal advantages and unique qualities.

Additionally, students received practical advice on non-verbal communication skills—including body language, eye contact, and professional attire—to fully prepare them for future academic or professional interviews.

Course Benefits and Future Opportunities

This comprehensive course significantly enhances students' communication and interview skills, boosting their competitive edge for future academic and career pursuits. Through systematic learning and practical application, students gain the confidence to express themselves clearly, highlight their strengths effectively, and successfully navigate various challenges. Strong communication and interview skills empower them to build positive interpersonal relationships, showcase their personality, and convey messages effectively.

If you're interested in our communication empowerment courses, please feel free to contact us. We can customize courses based on specific requirements and individual learning progress, supporting students in achieving their future goals.

Click here for more information about the communication workshop!