Practical Benefits of Speech and Drama Classes

With national funding for academic programs slowly eliminating music and the arts from today's schools, students entering the workforce often find themselves readily able to compute and produce in the workplace, but feel inadequate in professional socializing situations or genuinely fearful when asked to speak in public.  Is it simply that times are changing and there is less and less need to be able to converse as a professional, or deliver an important speech to a packed auditorium?  Could it be that today's young students, though competent and well-educated, are lacking in many important, character-building tools that were once a part of every school's fine arts curriculum?
Why Is Speech and Drama Training so Important?

Few of us are naturally gifted in the area of public speaking and performing arts and, contrary to popular belief, knowledge and training in the arts is not useful only on stage!  As Shakespeare wrote, "Life is a stage!"  We play many different roles in our everyday lives and having the ability to converse with confidence is crucial in the competitive and challenging world.  For children and adolescents, speech and drama classes can boost not only a person's ability to articulate their ideas and feelings, but it can boost their self-esteem by finding their own voice often in the company of their peers. For adults, effective interactions with coworkers and employers require finesse and a firm grasp of language, as well as the ability to deliver a speech compellingly and articulately.  Public speaking itself is an art form!  Speech training is often part of a speech  and drama program – and drama classes for adults can be on an individual basis, whereas for children it is better to learn in a group context.
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Who Can Benefit From Speech and Drama Classes?

Of course, any child that has displayed an interest in or an aptitude for performance or literature is a prime candidate for specialized training in the arts, but a foundation of knowledge in speech and drama can provide life-long benefits to every child, and it can provide adults with communication skills that will serve them well in every aspect of daily life – not to mention accredited certifications if you proceed with grade examinations, which are offered by most good speech and drama schools.Years ago, no student left their school days behind without having been exposed to some aspect of speech and drama.  Academic funding made performing arts an expected part of every child's education: teachers coached students on how to deliver a compelling public speech or how to behave during a job interview.  Sadly, lack of funding, overcrowding in the classrooms and a dwindling interest in such life skills has become the norm, and today's young adults often find themselves feeling awkward, lacking in confidence, and ill-prepared in many professional situations.Far too many children and adolescents suffer from low self-confidence. Some are held back and embarrassed by their poor speech; others have never been in a positive environment alongside peers where they have felt comfortable enough to make their voice heard; others simply do not see themselves as having the potential to perform or deliver a speech.  Speech and drama classes provide a platform not only for enjoyment and socializing, but for exploring and furthering one's own talents and potential.