PROGRAMMES | LUMEN
9 far better to deliver something with confidence than nothing at all .” he says , reassuring himself and others to push on no matter the difficulty of the topic . Going with the flow of the speech helps him greatly , especially when he makes a minor error or nobody laughs at a joke he tried to tell . ” The ability to think on your feet is an essential skill in impromptu speaking . In a recording you can have as many retakes as you want , but in front of an audience , you must be prepared to save any situation .”
In conclusion , one takeaway from the entire experience Owenn acquired was to be open-minded and willing to try new things . At the end of the day , it is always about learning from our mistakes and trying again the next time .
However , a piece of advice Owenn will give anyone who is struggling with public speaking due to anxiety or audience engagement is not to assume that the audience is out to get them . The audience is not there to scrutinise and pick on their every mistake but to look for key takeaways . “ Even if you make a mistake , just laugh at yourself and move on ,“ he advises .
“ Do not wait to strike till the iron is hot , but make it hot by striking ” a quote by William Butler Yeats is one of Owenn ’ s favourite quotes . Hence he recommends for all students , even those outside of SJI , to continue to seek opportunities to develop their public speaking skills .
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The ability to think on your feet is an essential skill in impromptu speaking . In a recording you can have as many retakes as you want , but in front of an audience , you must be prepared to save any situation .
- Owenn Phua
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Facing page : Owenn ( left ), with Mr Lee Han Seng ( Dean of Foundation Programme Academy ), Harjas Singh Sidhu ( 2nd runner-up ) and Aarush Nair ( 1st runner-up )
This page ( top ): Owenn Phua
This page ( bottom ): The winners in the Year 1 category are : Champion - Ciaran Liam Condron ( MN101 ), 1st runner-up - Andre Tay ( ML102 ), 2nd runner-up - Thaddeus Tan ( MN101 )
QUICK FACTS
One Minute Gem ( OMG )
• Started in 2018 by the Foundation Programme Academy
• The aim is to promote a safe platform for public speaking
• Every week , about 6 students are given the opportunity to speak about a topic that they are passionate about
• Students work closely with their English Language teachers on the content and delivery of their speeches prior to delivery
• In 2020 , these presentations took place at the PAC and was live streamed over Google Meet to students who were in the same fraternity as the presenters
One Minute Gem Challenge 2020
• Started in 2020 for Year 1 and 2 students
• Students had to sign up to participate in the challenge
• Each student is given 10 minutes to prepare a speech on a given topic
• Top 3 winners were awarded for Years 1 and 2 respectively
• The OMG Challenge was helmed by Year 1 and 2 students - Jasper Davis Slade Lim An , Gong Xin Huan , Nigel Rushton-Young , Ethan Koay , Kayden Ee , Gopikannan Nishesh , Alexander Pook , Fan Enrui , Koenig Nicholas Gerard , Chen Wei En James Ryan and Dinesh John Peeris who produced the promotional video , design of the badge , logistical support and hosted the event .