Public Speaking & Critical Thinking Program
Curriculum Head: Sarah
- Consulting Coach for 2024 WIDPSC Team China
- Consulting Coach for 2025 WIDPSC Team Singapore
-Competed at the WIDPSC(World Individual Debating and Public Speaking Championships) international 3 times, wining impromptu speech champion and placing second overall in 2004
-Coached more than 30 students who qualified to represent Canada / China / Singapore at WIDPSC international, some of whom placed in the top 15 speakers
-Coached 2 students who qualified to represent Canada at The World Schools Debating Championship (WSDC)
-50+ of Sarah’s debate and public speaking students have earned spots to provincial, national, and international championship
As the Head of the Public Speaking Curriculum at YHL, Sarah is widely recognized for her proven track record in developing world-class talent in speech and debate across multiple countries.
Discover More Amazing Coaches
Coach Andrew
Doctor of Law, Georgetown University/ Master in Public Policy at Harvard/ B.A. at Brown University
- National - NSDA Original Oratory
- 2nd Place, Overall at 2018 The World Individual Debating and Public Speaking Championships (WIDPSC)
- Team USA in 2016/2017/2018 at WIDPSC
Coach Olivia
Master from the London School of Economics and Political Science/ B.A. of Law at University of Oxford
- 2021 UK University National Mooting Champion
- 2017 Overall World Champion at The World Individual Debating and Public Speaking Championships
- Overal Champion in 2015/2016 at IISPSC
Coach Liam
Doctor of Laws, University of Manitoba/B.A. with High Distinction, University of Toronto
- 2023 THIULDT Top Speaker
- 3rd Place, Overall at 2018 The World Individual Debating and Public Speaking Championships (WIDPSC)
- Champion of impromptu speaking at 2017 WIDPSC
Speech & Critical Thinking Curriculum
Our comprehensive Speech and Critical Thinking Curriculum is designed to empower students with the confidence, creativity, and clarity to express themselves across a variety of speaking formats. The program is structured around five core components:
1. Impromptu Speaking – Students learn to think on their feet and organize ideas quickly under time pressure, developing the ability to deliver clear, engaging, and well-structured speeches with limited preparation.
2. Original Oratory (Persuasive Speaking) – Focusing on logical argumentation, rhetorical techniques, and emotional appeal, this module teaches students how to craft and deliver powerful, persuasive speeches on topics they care about.
3. Impromptu Debate – A fast-paced and intellectually rigorous component where students sharpen their critical thinking, active listening, and quick response skills by engaging in spontaneous one-on-one debates.
4. Interpretive Reading (Acting-Based Speaking) – Blending performance and public speaking, this section helps students bring texts to life through voice, expression, and physicality, encouraging a deeper emotional connection with their audience.
5. After-Dinner Speaking (Humorous Speaking) – Through this light-hearted and highly creative format, students develop the ability to entertain, inspire, and inform, all while using humor as a strategic tool for communication.
Voices from Our Students
Jessica
Former Member of WIDPSC Team Canada
Joey
Fomer Member of WIDPSC Team China
Vicky
Winner at Canadian Provincial Competitions