Finding Our Voices: Reflections from Orator’s Edge

The Orator’s Edge sabbatical gave students the opportunity to explore the art of public speaking through speeches, quick-thinking activities, presentation practice, and reflection. In this article, Lincoln and Shane share how the course helped them rethink what it means to speak with confidence, authenticity, and connection.

Speaking is About Connection

Written by: Lincoln Ang Yuk Kai (3O2, 2026)

Many people think public speaking is just about standing straight, using a loud voice, and moving your hands correctly. However, during our time at the Orator’s Edge sabbatical, we learnt that good speaking is not just a performance. It is about truly connecting with the people listening to you.

When we started the sabbatical, we thought we would just learn basic speech rules. Instead, we found an exciting challenge that pushed us out of our comfort zones and taught us how to really own a stage.

The sabbatical did not just teach us how to talk. It taught us how to listen. We learnt to notice the mood of the room and understand the power of a quiet pause.

Through quick speaking games and presentations, we had to think fast on our feet. We realised that being a great speaker does not mean being perfect like a robot. It means being real. An audience will listen to you because you truly care about your topic, not because your presentation slides look fancy.

I learnt that the best speakers are not perfect. Audiences prefer speakers who are honest and relatable, rather than those who try to look flawless. When speaking in public, things do not always go as planned. The sabbatical taught us how to stay calm and use humour or quick thinking when we make a mistake. We learnt to think of a speech like a house. The introduction is the front door that welcomes people in, and the conclusion is the final view they remember.

From First Pitch to Final Speech

Written by: Yap En Han Shane (3O2, 2026)

“Okay, boys, can we all come up one by one and give a 30-second pitch about yourself? Your name, class, and one fun fact about yourself.”

That was the first speech I made in Orator’s Edge.

In May 2026, I signed up for the Orator’s Edge Public Speaking sabbatical, and I am proud to say it was by far the most enlightening, engaging, and enriching sabbatical course I have taken in my three years at HCI. Ms Dalia Chan, founder of Speech Titans, came in on Day 1 and greeted everyone with a bright smile as she kickstarted an amazing journey into the art of public speaking.

From Day 1 to Day 3, we were equipped with skills that went right down to the basics of speaking: pitch, tone, volume, hand gestures, speech structures, and framing. There were learning opportunities at every turn. The first student stepped up to give the first speech of the week, a mere 30-second self-introduction. Yet from this short speech, Ms Chan was able to skilfully pick out the first teaching point: “First lesson of the day: how to ground yourself the moment you come on stage.”

We were equipped with an arsenal of useful skills, such as how to grab the audience’s attention immediately, how to come up with impromptu speeches, and how to give a solid, structured reply in an interview. These bite-sized lessons were easy to follow, with enough whimsy and laughter to keep everyone engaged and listening.

I believe the most memorable experience of the course was on Day 4. Gathered in the dark Lecture Theatre 4, a group of 25 students sat with eyes fixed on the projector screen, watching the movie The King’s Speech. This film, based on the story of the newly crowned King George VI, a chronic stammerer, and his newfound speech therapist and friend, Dr Lionel Logue, had me captivated from start to finish, with every brilliant detail and hilarious moment. I could not help but see the links between how Dr Logue guided the King and the similar advice and strategies I had learnt over the past three days of the sabbatical.

On Day 5, I arrived in school with jittery nerves. It was the day that the whole past week had been building up to. The day we had all anticipated. The day of the final speech. Talented students came under the spotlight and delivered their speeches, with topics such as “The Issue with Procrastination”, “Relationships Matter Most in Life”, and “The Importance of Chemistry in Our Everyday Lives”.

Before long, it was my turn to step up and showcase all that I had gleaned from a week of training. I grounded myself, took a deep breath, and began.

“Good afternoon everyone. Today, I will be sharing about how the hardest person to be is yourself…”

“…Thank you for your attention.”

I stepped back, proud of the work and effort I had put in. That was it. I had done it. I had successfully delivered an impactful and meaningful speech that I knew I could be proud of. I grinned and bowed.

Thinking back, I really enjoyed the experience of learning and growing, especially in an area I knew would one day come in handy. I can confidently say that I left this experience with a much better grasp of how to speak and present publicly to an audience. In conclusion, I strongly recommend this sabbatical to anyone looking for an opportunity to spend the week productively and purposefully.