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On November 17th, Mr. Talis Wong, a guest speaker of CLE’s elective course “Fundamentals of Public Speaking” was invited to give a lecture titled “How to Convey Messages Effectively in Public Speaking” in Rm 110, SUSTech library. In introducing Mr. Wang, Dr. Kathy O’Sullivan mentioned that he was once an engineer but currently worked as a professional trainer, which immediately grabbed SUSTech’s attention and interest.

Mr. Talis Wong talks about practical skills used in public speaking.

Mr. Wong is a Global NLP (Neuro-Linguistics Programming) Trainer and a Distinguished Toastmaster (Toastmasters International is an organization in communication and leadership training). He was the District Trainer of Toastmasters International, and ex-adviser of Education and Training of China Toastmasters (2002-2014). Being a professional trainer, Mr. Wong conducts training for corporate executives, and executives and staff members in universities, professional institutes, and organizations. Over the past 10 years, he has also been coach and trainer in public speaking and presentation for secondary school and university students.

Mr. Wong started the talk by sharing some interesting pictures taken in daily life to explain the core of neuro-linguistic programming is finding the small differences that make the big differences. The small differences that can effectively improve public speaking, according to Mr. Wong, in public speaking included eye contact, WIIFM (what’s in it for me), 3D delivery, pauses, less is more, and magical touch. He emphasized that fierceness, tenderness, and playfulness could make a speech meaningful, touching, and entertaining. Being replete with real life stories, examples, acting out, and humor, Mr. Wong’s lecture elicited laughter and applause from time to time. The talk per se presented a good example of public speaking to the audience.

During the Q&A session, the audience asked varied questions with great enthusiasm. Students sought further suggestions for dealing with silence, eye contact, and academic presentations. Mr. Siqun Xu, a CLE instructor, wondered how to instruct students to use story telling in their presentations.

Tianyuan Wang asks a question about eye contact in public speaking.

At the end, Jiuzhou Wong, a student taking “Fundamentals of Public Speaking” made an announcement about “Voice of SUSTech,” a new student club set up to improve SUSTech students’ public speaking skills with the help of Dr. Zhuo Li and the sponsorship of CLE. Jiuzhou, the organizer of the student club, invited all the audience to join the club to horn their public speaking skills.

Jiuzhou Wang invites the audience to join Voice of SUSTech.

Dr. Li, the instructor of “Fundamentals of Public Speaking” said that Mr. Wong’s talk was a great addition to the course and Voice of SUSTech would help extend public speaking practice beyond classroom teaching and learning.

Reported by CLE
Written by: Zhuo Li
Photos by: Zhuo Li