Why public speaking should be taught in schools | Simon Bucknall | TEDxLondon

Award-winning speaker and public speaking coach, Simon Bucknall, reveals how developing young people’s ability to connect, influence and inspire through the spoken word gives them a significant head start in life. In 2005, Simon told an emotional tale from his school days to an audience in a small London pub. Six months later, with that same speech, he won the UK & Ireland Championship of Public Speaking. Simon has since helped thousands of people from all walks of life to achieve greater impact as speakers - corporate executives, charity leaders, academics, refugees, politicians, entrepreneurs and, of course, young people in schools.
Previously, as an Associate of the charity Speakers Trust, he delivered workshops for the ‘Jack Petchey Speak Out Challenge!’ for teenagers in state secondary schools across London and Essex. Simon is a former President of the London Junior Chamber of Commerce and, in 2013, was awarded the Freedom of the City of London. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@drem8er143]

I have recently begun researching and learning communication skills which includes speaking and it has greatly improved my life. I was raised in a household with two parents who fought constantly until their divorce and a younger sister who would scream and cry until she got what she wanted. This I feel partly lead to me being a quiet introvert throughout my later elementary years, and even suicidal in my later free education years for I had no clue of how to express what I was feeling or thinking. After recently obtaining some speaking skills I've had my first conversation with my mom without fighting since before high school, she still attempted to cause an argument but with my new found knowledge I was able to steer the conversation into a calm transaction of non-violent information, aka a conversation.

[@RashidKapadia]

Well done. If you not done so yet, you may want to check out Toastmasters International. Highly recommended.

[@ThoughtProvokingVlogs]

Congratulations. I've been in a similar situation and have found communication skills to be beneficial. This is greatly linked to mindfulness and mental health, two other things that should really be taught in schools

[@speakerstrustmediachannel3023]

Thanks for highlighting such an important area; one where we work daily with young people, in and out of school to help address the challenge.

[@fredscott7712]

Great! 9:40 totally agree with this

[@BrianPWoolf]

An excellent presentation: message; material; memorability. Well done!

[@SukiZoe]

I so loved this. Thank you

[@darrinpatterson6677]

It's ironic that I am watching this as I teach a class on Workplace Communications and the bulk of what I teach is public speaking and writing.

[@jimboyd79]

Very good Simon. How would you rate the prep, enjoyment and impact of your TEDx talk?

[@SimonBucknall]

jimboyd79 enjoyed the whole process hugely. The conference organising team really did a terrific job. Big thumbs up. As for subsequent impact, well I’m in this for the long haul so we’ll see - but judging by the response at the Speakers’ Cafe during the break, it seemed to strike a chord with many folk. In discussions with more than one charity as a result about looking to raise the profile of this important issue. For me personally, this speech was the beginning of something not a one-off. Time for curriculum change re Oracy.

[@JacReviewsStuff]

Tough crowd... nobody laughing at his jokes... They dont like his accent?

[@gopalashetty3592]

TEDx has become a stand-up comedy show youtube channel, speakers are not very serous about thier talk. Im loosing interest in it.