Prepare a lesson plan for each speech class. Include warm ups, speech and voice theory and practical exercises. Ensure that each lesson is based on a specific element of speech such as how speech is produced, terminology used, speech practice, breath control and physical delivery of speech.
Lead your warm up exercises for at least 20 minutes. Focus on physical relaxation techniques to relieve body tension, as body tension restricts speech delivery. Ask your students to lie down on soft mats, to close their eyes and to relax. Play some relaxation music low in the background. Ask your students to tense up different parts of the body -- hands, feet, arms, legs, shoulders and whole body -- and then to release the tension by relaxing.
Concentrate next on your students' breathing to improve breath capacity, which is essential for speakers delivering long orations such as Shakespearean speeches. Ask your students to breathe in on a count of five, then to hold the breath for another count of five and then to release the breath slowly for a longer count of ten. Repeat this breathing exercise several times, increasing the count as you go. Vary this exercise by asking your students on the exhale step to count numbers, say the alphabet or the months of the year until they run out of breath.
Instruct the students on the perspective of the class and discuss any speech theory related to the element of speech you are going to teach. For instance, in your first class it is essential to instruct a class on speech terminology and the physicality of how speech is produced through the function of the diaphragm and the vocal resonators -- the vocal cords, the teeth, the tongue and the hard and soft palate.
Set practical exercises related to the theme of the class. Be inventive and allow students to practise speaking with clarity, energy, projection and delivery. For instance, get students to practice clarity by emphasizing words, stressing syllables and over articulatiing words to correct common speech problems like the swallowing of consonants at the end of words. Experiment with different speech energies -- happy, anger, frustration and confidence and others -- and make the students move the energy throughout the body while reciting speeches. Get students to throw the speech from one corner of the room to the other to improve projection. Ask your students to deliver a speech in front of other class members and to ensure each student maintains eye contact with the audience.
Observe your students as they put your practical exercises into practice. Correct common mistakes and give praise to those who have caught on quickly to the speech techniques you are teaching.
End your class by asking for questions. Give your students homework to practice further, and tell your class what will be studied in the following class to encourage class research.