Snakes or public speaking, which do you prefer? If it is snakes, this training might be for you.
Public speaking likely ranks high on many people’s lists as ‘not their favourite thing in the world’.
But it is an incredibly valuable skill in the workforce.
When I started this job in 2017, I thought I’d spend most of my time in front of a computer screen. But in fact, I spend a significant amount of time presenting in lectures and tutorials.
Now, I’m lucky that psychology training included a fair dose of public speaking practice and I’ve only ever had to present in my native language. So over time, I have come to quite enjoy it (still get nervous though).
But for those that haven’t had many chances to practice, or are presenting in their second language, or on topics they are not familiar with yet, it can be quite an imposing task.
The good news is you’re not alone and there’s training available that means you can upgrade your public speaking toolkit. I just got told about it by my colleague Seon from ISS.
Flinders Speaks is a free, peer-supported program designed to help students build confidence in presenting and speaking in social settings.
Flinders Speaks is cost FREE and judgement FREE. It’s open to all students and designed to be interactive, supportive, and practical.
No preparation is needed — just show up, participate, practise, and receive constructive feedback in a safe and structured environment.
Over six weeks, you’ll build skills step-by-step:
Week 1 – Structure your sentence
Week 2 – Filler words?
Week 3 – Connect to your audience
Week 4 – Vocal strength & expression
Week 5 – Prepared speech Part 1
Week 6 – Prepared speech Part 2
Whether you want to feel more confident in tutorials, presentations, job interviews, or everyday conversations, this program gives you tools you can use immediately.
Over the past two years, participants have shown incredible growth in confidence. Anecdotal feedback highlights how valuable this space has been — particularly for international students.
It’s also a fantastic opportunity for domestic and international students to connect, share experiences, and support one another in a structured and encouraging environment.
📅 Wednesdays, 4 March – 8 April
🕥 10:30 – 11:30am
📍 City Campus, Level 3, Room 310
➡ Places are limited due to the interactive format.⬅
If you’ve ever thought, “I wish I felt more confident speaking in front of people,” this is your chance to practise in a safe and supportive space.
💻 Register here or at the QR code below: https://events.flinders.edu.au/events/flinders-speaks/ 💻
