Philosophy

Speakeze was founded by an Australian Lawyer who spent 15 years living, working and studying in San Francisco.  The impact of the mobile phone on face to face communication became a great concern.  This became particularly evident when the founder, Joanne Keune, returned to her home town of Townsville and continued to adjudicate local, state and national public speaking competitions.   As an academic who has also studied Speech & Drama with the Australian Music Examination Board and the Trinity College for 10 years, Joanne also recognised the need for learning public speaking to be fun and practical.  Thus, over the course of many years Joanne has continued to refine the curriculum to hold the full attention of young people in 2018.

Exciting Learning

The program is fast moving, utilises video games and diverse topics for presentations which are filmed. Film is the most powerful art form in our digitial world. The opportunity to capture the voice of, especially young people and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and have an international platform through which to have those voices, ideas and cutting edge solutions heard – is very exciting. The majority of Speech tuition exists in a highly theorised platform.  But the best way to improve your communication skills is through practice.  Thus, there are as many presented short impromptu speeches delivered as can possibly be squeezed in. Each one different with a newly embedded skill feature to improve upon speech after speech. No more yearlong commitment to theory and long practical exams over many years. Joanne felt there was a need for a fun, cool, speaking experience that believes in learning by doing.  Just like a good speech, a training course requires a good conclusion.

Fun Conclusion for Family & Friends

Speakeze concludes with an excellent event featuring the students. Family and friends are invited to the culmination of the students speeches in a presentation evening. A great night out for all in attendance.

Speakeze is dedicated to the importance of the impeccable word. Speakeze holds strong ethics and moral values toward truth and sincerity. Our words can spit venom or inspire nations. Speakeze aims to encourage the individual speaking style of each student. Improved public speaking is achieved with practice.  Speakeze stresses that we are in a learning environment and there are no mistakes.   Each person will be empowered, encouraged and praised for their individual styles and presentations.

Belief in face to face communication  vs excessive mobile phone use

Founder Joanne Keune won a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship to study International Business and Marketing at Golden Gate University in San Francisco in 1994. During this time she witnessed the dot.com boom and birth of Silicon Valley and Program gurus like Facebook, Uber, Airbnb and many more causing major growth changes to our economy. Continuing to teach public speaking Joanne watched the social affects of the mobile fun on verbal communication. Her passion for communication and the vibrance of young people inspired her to create Speakeze.

The science is in. Text messages to us, produce a dopamine chemical – that rush of happiness and contentment is thanks to dopamine. It’s a neurochemical known as the “reward molecule” which is  released into the brain. Dopamine is the same chemical good feeling that humans get when they drink alcohol, gamble or take drugs. The problem is the chemical continues to be released and is highly addictive, stimulating us to use what gives us the chemical feel good feeling – again and again. We have age restrictions and regulations for all these other things – but none for mobile devices and social media. Over the past 30 years since mobile devices and the growth of the internet and thus social media, there has been a recognised decrease in impromptu verbal communication with strangers and even our best friends, with the preference often now for texting.

A majority of 30 year olds now have lived their entire life and not known a life without a mobile phone and social media.  It is a changed world. Speakeze has demand for classes to teach teenagers how to shake hands and introduce themselves. Our society is now in need of teaching ethical, morally based communication skills to young people. Speakeze creates a safe, open environment for young people to express their ideas, opinions and exploration of subjects that are relevant to them.  Together they discuss ideas. Speakeze communication coaches merely act as facilitators, empowers of young people.  The class is 95% practical. Students through practical learning are taught how to structure a speech; the importance of a good introduction and conclusion; eye contact and the use of the main tool in their toolbox – that of the voice and its ability for pitch, pace, pause, volume and emphasis