Passionate speeches from AMES students

In the second of two sessions today, ESL-background students attending a pronunciation class with Adult Multicultural Education Services broke new ground in their ability to confidently communicate and speak in front of an audience.   Last week, students rose to the challenge of focussing on confident presentation despite feelings of nervousness and language difficulties, whilst conducting a persuasive speech centred around something they would like to change in the world.  This week, students took their skills to the next level. They provided signposted speeches with reasoned content in a passionate, responsive and engaging debate about the pros and cons of vegetarianism.

AMES Students build speaking confidence and debate gay marriage

Over three workshops in September, FD worked with Adult Multicultural Education Services (AMES) students to develop their confidence and public speaking skills.

The first session focused on a number of techniques for delivering speeches, including how to build confidence and improve clarity. To consolidate these skills, students spoke about a topic of their choice, with topics ranging from arranged marriages, children on social networking websites, public transport concession cards for international students to how the government can do more to address environmental issues.

The second session on the following Saturday refreshed past learning and finished with a 3-on-3 debate about whether job opportunities were limited for migrants in Australia.

The final session adopted the same approach, with a fiery and exciting debate on gay marriage that considered all sides of the debate in a fair and even manner.

All students improved immeasurably over the three weeks, and FD is looking forward to further involvement with AMES students in the future.

AMES Students debate compulsory unionism

Adult Multicultural Education Services (AMES) students attending the organisation's city campus underwent a two-session workshop intensive on confident public speaking and debating led by FD trainers Rob Koh, Ajay Kevat and Kim Little.  The final session culminated in an Oxford-style debate about whether Australia should turn to compulsory unionism.  Speakers from both sides overcame language barriers and their own public speaking fears to make arguments in an impassioned and confident manner.  FD is looking forward to further involvement with AMES students in the near future.

Partner Profile: Adult Multicultural Education Services

Over the years, many Free Debaters have had the pleasure of working with the students and teachers at AMES. They are among our most engaged and enthusiastic debaters and public speakers. We are looking forward to running another program for AMES in Term 3 this year. For 60 years AMES has helped new and recently arrived refugees and migrants to settle in to Victoria. AMES teaches English to new arrivals, but also works with the community, business and Government to develop sustainable and effective settlement solutions for the whole Victorian community. We are proud to be a small part of helping AMES achieve its vision: "full participation for all in a cohesive and diverse society".

AMES Footscray Revisited

Free Debate conducted a second series of debating seminars for the Adult Migrant Education Service (AMES) evening classes in Footscray. Nicole Lynch, Cassie McGannon and Rob Koh led the 90 minute sessions covering speaking skills and argument formulation.

The AMES students debated a range of topics including drugs, gambling and the role of government.

Free Debate also conducted a one-off class for the AMES Footscray day class. Lucia Pietropaoli and Liz Sheargold were warmly received by the AMES advanced class, and gave a 2-hour seminar on public speakingtechniques, argument and rebuttal.

AMES Footscray

Free Debate conducted four debating seminars for the Adult Multicultural Education Service (AMES) in Footscray. Kim Little, Kylie Lane and Rob Koh led the 90 minute sessions covering basic speaking skills, constructing arguments, choosing relevant examples and rebuttal. The AMES students debated a range of topics and particularly enjoyed rebutting each other.