CERTIFICATION EXAMINATION, TO ASSESS COMPETENCY T OF LEVEL OF EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION
The Public Speaking Academy is a training center in Singapore that goes beyond just teaching the clients – both from academic and corporate world, in developing their communication skills. It seeks to help these people to upgrade their proficiencies into a more competitive level, surpassing their initial expectations and discovering their great potentials as public speakers. All of these efforts are anchored in the vision of transforming the public speaking culture of the country.
It provides for a wide range of courses and modules to develop the effective communication competencies of individuals keen to pursue this area of development. The trainers understand that effective communication does not circumscribe itself to the spoken interaction but written dimension as well. It is with this holistic framework of effective communication in mind that the Public Speaking Academy has designed modules to hone the writing skills of candidates.
At the end of each module, candidates have the option of taking the Certification examination to assess their level of effective communication competency. The examination comprises of a theory and practical component; each designed to test the candidate’s understanding of the topics covered and practical application of the theories inspired during the course. The theory component contains a mixture of multiple choice questions, short answer response questions and hypotheticals. The practical component contains a 5-7 minutes prepared speech component of which candidates have two weeks to prepare. Candidates are required to choose one of three given themes in preparation for their prepared speeches. The practical component also contains a conversation with the examiner and video analysis of a sample speech. The practical component is designed to assess the candidate’s ability to internalise the topics taught and translate them into real-time performance. The grade given for the Certification examination is divided into four levels, that being 85% and above for High Distinction; 75% to 84% for Distinction; 65% to 74% for Merit; and 51% to 64% for Pass.
The theory component takes up 30% of the overall grade and the practical component takes up 60% of the overall grade. The remaining 10% of the overall grade is assessed by the Principal Trainer who taught the candidate over the course of the module. This is to allow for the candidate’s overall development and improvement as a speaker to be taken into consideration in the aggregate schema of assessment.
Candidates who fail the Certification examination(s) are allowed to re-take them at the next window. Candidates are not required to repeat the entire module. They are given the option to attend refresher courses prior to taking the Certification examination.
It is worth noting that candidates are not allowed to skip a level of Certification. For example, a candidate who has just completed the Basic Orator module is not allowed to take the Certification examination for the Intermediate Orator module. Candidates are allowed to sit for the Certification examination(s) only if they have completed the requisite level of module; attended at least 80% of the total number of sessions; and paid the examination fees.
A final note on the Certification examination is that only candidates who are 18 years and above will be awarded the Master Orator Certification. However, candidates who are below the age of 18 are still allowed to sit for the Master Orator Certification Examinations but will only receive the Certificate upon reaching 18 years of age. They will not be required to sit through another Certification examination.
For candidates who do not wish to take any Certification examination(s), they are allowed to take the subsequent modules (in succession) and continue to acquire more advanced effective communication skills. At the conclusion of each module, candidates will be given a Certificate of Participation if they attended at least 80% of the total number of sessions.
Public Speaking Academy continues to exert its efforts in transforming the public speaking culture of Singapore into a more vibrant one. Through its customized training programs that were based on the clients’ need, it is of assurance that the training which includes linguistic mastery and enrichment courses will be more effective. As the sets of modules tailored by the brilliant people behind the institution will address the most difficult factors encountered by the trainees on their past speaking experiences by means of applying practical techniques to aid in fixing those problems. The trainings are pertinent across multiple communication domains which include public speaking, debating, inter-personal skills, interviews and national examinations.
Public Speaking Academy is dedicated in providing the best effective communication education to their clients as they together aspire to realize their social and academic deeds in changing the public speaking culture in Singapore for the better.
ABOUT THE COMPANY
The Public Speaking Academy is a fast growing local and regional influence in the personal professional training domain. Focused on accentuating the aggregate confidence of individuals to express and impress, the Public Speaking Academy is honored to receive the strong support of education institutions as they begin efforts in transforming the public speaking culture into a more vibrant one. Founded in 2009, the Public Speaking Academy has seen over 5 years of outstanding performances both in Singapore and overseas. The Public Speaking Academy has consistently provided quality education on effective communication and the English language to help students and working professionals excel in their respective fields. The positive reviews and feedback from satisfied clients continue to motivate the Public Speaking Academy to upgrade and refine its teaching methodologies; providing the best to new and existing clients. For more information, visit: www.publicspeakingacademy.com.sg