Public speaking

Giving short presentations in class from the age of 9 or so has been a commonly employed teaching method in Denmark, since the 1970s when I began teaching.

The idea is that it accustoms children to speaking in public. Obviously a shy child should be encouraged gently to do so, and should perhaps be allowed to do a slightly shorter presentation than an outgoing child.

Presentations also give a teacher a chance to find out whether each child in the class has grasped the methods needed to give a coherent account of a subject, and indeed whether the child has understood whatever it is he or she is talking about correctly.

It is by no means only salespeople who will need this skill in later life- anyone working for a university degree, any teacher, most business men and women, lawyers, architects, doctors and nurses in teaching hospitals, preachers and many others will need to be able to present their ideas in an orderly and interesting manner.

A shy child, or one who stammers, should not be excused from holding presentations, but encouraged by praise for making the effort, if as a teacher, you really cannot find anything else to say, which in my experience is rare.

Taking the time to explain to the child and the parents that this is indeed a way of encouraging children to conquer their shyness is, however, very necessary, as is clamping down very hard indeed if any class-mates start giggling at the shy one or the child who stammers.

I thought this type of thing was a thing of the past. What purpose does it serve? I was a very shy child and remember the anguish this caused me. I'm now a CBT therapist and it serves no purpose to someone who is shy. It doesn't build confidence. It shatters it. To build confidence in a shy person, especially a child it's doing it in small steps. This just makes me upset and angry to think a child has been so upset by this

I’m 76 and have never forgotten being forced to make presentations at school aged 11 or 12. A lot of my classmates hated it too. During one such presentations the teacher had to tell me to sit down as I was stuttering so much (even thought I haven’t got a stutter normally) and was hot and red in the face. I don’t know who was the more embarrassed me or the teacher. And as for helping to develop my presentation skills, I’m afraid it never did as I have avoided making presentations ever since although Ive managed to hold down jobs all my life.
Good for you if you enjoy doing presentations or want to learn the skill, but as far as I’m concerned it’s not for everyone. Children should be encouraged to try but should be able to make the final decision if they want to do it or not.

I was made to do this as a small child and it resulted in a life long fear of public speaking. It just shouldn't happen! It may help some children develop into confident speakers but a sensitive child can be really damaged by it as I was. I'm by no means 'delicate' and can tackle most things but to have to be the only one speaking in a room full of people terrifies me to the point of fainting. Even sitting around a table ( work not dining) would have my heart pounding as it got nearer to my turn to speak. Sounds ridiculous I know, but unless you're affected it's difficult to understand. In case I'm coming across as a shy wallflower I'll just say that in social settings it's hard to shut me up!

* case of

Another case oof bl**dy gov't forcing us to do stuff against our will- mainly, it seems for their amusement! Idiots.Now theyre making kids act like a puppets too- theyve stooped to a new low!😡

My own child opted out of the education system altogether because of these kind of expectations. It was extremely stressful at the time but maybe he had the right idea

He’s a very well rounded, interesting and even successful adult. This emphasis on the curriculum and exam expectations doesn’t fit all children.

When I was teaching, great emphasis was placed on 'speaking and listening' and children who were described as 'bubbly' enjoyed doing this. Why is it not acceptable to be quiet and shy. Some people are naturally so and should encouraged to present to a group, but not pressured to be in the limelight. Quiet and sensitive children are often much nicer and more thoughtful in my experience (as with adults) than the bubbly ones.

My school did debating and i was a really shy child! but it stood me in excellent stead! We had to do mock courts at uni and I went into pro bono legal representation, so it was a huge help in building my self confidence and I can now stand up in front of anyone and give a talk!

Something has clearly gone wrong somewhere with the Teaching & Learning of Speaking and Listening in his education; as he should have had many scaffolded experiences of doing presentations and such like most weeks, even if it’s things like Show and Tell.

Has he spoken to his teacher himself? I’m sure that they would be really upset if they knew he was so distressed (well, they ought to be).
The teacher should be able to allay his fears

I'd have hated to do this at a young age but it is something that comes easier with practice. I've always been terrified of public speaking or even reading lines from a play in class at school but I've had to learn, for work. I'm afraid removing a child from class isn't that helpful in the long run as a presentation is part of the GCSE exam.

Sorry, I should have said English Curriculum, not Literacy.
Literacy is Reading and Writing

GoldenAge ‘Speaking and Listening’ is part of the Primary Literacy Curriculum from EYFS onwards.
As you know, the Teacher’s role isn’t simply to deliver the NC, but first and foremost to facilitate that the children can access the curriculum.
It goes against both the child’s and the teacher’s interests if the child cannot complete the work.

Aveline - being part of the curriculum is something I would challenge on educational grounds. I have a PhD in education and a Master's degree in Curriculum Development, all followed by re-training and another Master's degree to become a psychotherapist and I can say quite categorically that to force a 9 year old to make a presentation in front of others has no educational basis whatsoever and children don't need to develop skills for the world of work at that age. Moreover, some jobs don't require presentations of any kind. Your GS may be traumatised by this experience at school and if not, the event might be at least something we refer to as an adverse childhood experience. It's OK to be shy but there may be other things at play here like for instance your GS may be somewhere on the autistic spectrum - he shows talents elsewhere yet is anxious in the presentation/social situation. If he is, then it's nothing short of brutal to subject him or any other child to that type of experience and I would make a strong representation to the headteacher, then to the school's funders. This type of experience could damage a child's mental health. For those children who are happy to engage in presenting themselves that's fine but it's equally fine for those who don't. I do wonder what the current pre-occupation with self-projection and performance is all about. Perhaps it's to prepare children for life in TV reality shows?

Lots to discuss here. When my own child was struggling at university I made the decision to go and get her and bring her home as I was very concerned that she would not survive it. Best thing I did, she’s done loads of presentations in an international stage now and is a confident young lady. I don’t think blaming others for the actions of your child is right. People bend over backwards nowadays and some people should not be at university at that time in their lives. It’s incredibly sad I know, but it can’t all be about a presentation. The poor little chap worried sick about his presentation, I feel for him and know that the teacher will be doing whatever is possible to help him. Perhaps it will go better this year and he won’t be so stressed next time. I know speaking and listening is a key skill in the curriculum these days, with good reason. I say that having taken about 40 years to feel ok to speak in public. I hated it at school too. Students going to the loo in class time or break. I’m afraid too many kids are using this time to vape, my daughter says the teachers have to haunt the loos to try to prevent it. What a nuisance it all is. Aveline, I sincerely hope your little GC manages to get through it and with the love and support of gransnetters and his lovely family, I’m sure he will.

For goodness sake.
I am quite sure the teacher knows what she is doing and will have handled extremely nervous children before in all sorts of situations and will have plenty of strategies to apply.

And as for Polnan, access to cloakrooms is denied, on occasion, for a variety of reasons, at different times and ages and there is usually a sound reason behind it.

I’ve got a grand son of 9. He’s just the same. Works himself up into a fever about things. He’s been chosen to sing at the o 2 as part of the choir. He’s terrified. Such a shame as he has a good singing voice. He’s 9

Poor lad but maybe starting young might help in the long run.
I could never stand up and make a presentation to a full room. OK sitting round a table and presenting but nothing more. The place I worked even ran courses on presentation for those who couldn't - still couldn't do it.

Not the teachers being cruel, but a requirement of the National Curriculum, designed largely by Civil Servants who haven't been near a classroom!
Most good teachers will make the necessary adjustments to help all pupils succeed.

Presentations are the norm for many jobs, especially if you want to progress. I joined a debating society in my teens because I love a good discussion. (My father taught me well…!) It helped when in my later career I had to train people or present the latest info and innovations of, say, a new computer system. That being said, there are of course many careers which don’t involve this and in which solo working is ok. But you will still interact with colleagues to a lesser or greater degree or even be expected to take part in conference or zoom calls. University courses do seem to expect presentations these days however. I do think it is rather cruel to force children into this situation if they are not ready as children develop at their own pace. My eight year old grandson loves it! (He is a clever show off!). My twelve year old granddaughter is always in agony at the thought. Although encouraged, she will not do it and is excused as she is autistic.

absolutely hated doing presentations. i had to do them as a mature undergraduate as part of my degree course. the first time i had to do a presentation i was physically sick for days before and shook for hours afterwards.
i never got used to presentations and thankfully haven't had to do any more since i graduated.
i have always been shy and never put myself in the spotlight - i didn't enjoy my wedding as i hated having to walk up the aisle with everyones' eyes on me!

How cruel, poor lad…. Surely we all have different strengths and weaknesses and we should play into that. As you say they insist he does it, could he not sit down and do it instead of standing up.

Just awful borders on abuse
I’d be complaining loudly if it was my child

I can still remember now how mortified I was having to stand in front of a class of 40 children and speak for one minute on any subject. I didn’t say a word. I just went bright red and looked at the floor until it was time to sit down. I was about 13/14 at the time. Still today I could never stand up in front of a lot of people and talk. Even if I was sitting at a table at a dinner party and there were about eight of us, I wouldn’t like to be the one doing the talking and having everyone looking at me.

This is nothing new I'm 57 and did this at Primary School regularly Your grandson will survive and in time thrive at it