Power of Words Academy

Transcript of our interview with Hafsa, Power of Words Academy: Director Interview

Who are you and whom do you represent?

I'm Hafsa Esmail and I am the director of The Power of Words Academy. We've been operating for about seven years now and we have schools in the Greater Toronto Area, North York, Mississauga, Markham, and an online campus as well. We have programs that we offer during the school year, and our primary program is an all-encompassing communications program focused on reading comprehension, writing, public speaking, and debate. We separate our groups by grades, from grade two and three classes all the way up to grade nine, and the programs are taught by Ontario-certified teachers.

We also have summer camps that are less intense from an academic standpoint. In those summer camps, we focus more on the creative writing aspect, and children have the opportunity to develop the creative writing process, go through all the steps, write a story, and get their books published. They receive a published copy of their book with themselves recorded as both the narrator and author. We also have debate camps and other camps that we offer during the summer as well.

I actually am not an educator by trade. When I graduated from university, I worked with the forensic investigations department and did more of the investigating, testifying, and report writing. When we were hiring students from universities with great degrees and technical skills, what was lacking, even with myself when I graduated, was the communications aspect. I wanted my kids to excel in these communication skill sets, and I looked everywhere for a program but couldn't find what I was looking for. I wanted something encompassing reading comprehension, writing, and public speaking to provide an overall sense of how to communicate, whether in writing or orally. I saw this niche in the market, and with a curriculum writer and different teachers, we came together and created this curriculum.

What is unique about The Power of Words?

I think we filled an opportunity in the market where this type of program was not really available. Every parent that comes to our program says this is a great program and something they haven't seen before. Public speaking, writing, and communication are skill sets that everyone needs regardless of the industry they enter. That's the area we're focusing on in our programming to help kids expand their knowledge in English and gain an enrichment opportunity to excel.

For our public speaking program, we use Palmer's PBLEGS acronym. For example, P stands for poise, appearing confident and avoiding distracted behavior. Students learn about each trait, see examples of that trait, and engage in hands-on practice to perfect it. We walk through the different traits of public speaking and really build self-confidence and the skill sets needed to present in front of an audience.

With essay writing, we focus on the structure in detail. Many students sit in front of a paper and don't know where to start. We teach a structured approach that is easy to learn, and with practice, they improve significantly.

What type of child is successful with The Power of Words Academy?

This is an enrichment program, so it's not an ESL program or a second-language program. It's designed for kids who are getting an average mark in school and want to take that next step up. If they're getting at least a B in English at school, this program will really help them develop their writing skills.

This program is also for students who are very shy and can't get in front of an audience to speak. They might have the gift of gab at home but struggle in front of strangers. That's perfectly fine. If they're getting at least a B in English in school, they can come to our program, be successful in it, and gain that extra advantage through critical thinking in writing as well as public speaking development.

How does your staff deal with behavioural issues?

Our staff is well trained in both our curriculum and classroom management. They are all Ontario-certified teachers, so they've been trained to deal with behavioural issues. It's really about maintaining engagement because these kids are young, and classes are an hour and a half long.

Sometimes students go off on a tangent or have a lot to say, and it's about bringing them back to center and keeping them engaged and participating within the class. Staff may give students opportunities to take a lead role in the classroom, which often draws them back in. That level of engagement helps keep them focused.

We haven't had significant behavioral issues. If necessary, we communicate with parents to reinforce expectations and help maintain student focus in class.

What do campers or students value the most about an experience at your organization?

Many students value becoming more confident and proficient writers. Some students come in loving writing, while others struggle to write more than a few short sentences. As they become more proficient, they're less intimidated by essays and writing assignments. Our paragraph-writing structure helps students answer test questions effectively and efficiently. They learn how to create topic sentences, identify key points, support those points, and maximize their marks while writing more efficiently.

The area where I see the most success is public speaking. Many students come in unwilling to answer questions, providing very short responses and speaking very quietly. During the reading comprehension and writing units, we're working to alleviate their fear of speaking in front of an audience so that when we reach the public speaking unit, we can focus on the specific traits of public speaking.

By the end of the program, you can really see the growth. We videotape students throughout the process so their progress is visible. Some of the shyest and most reserved students show tremendous improvement by the end of the public speaking unit. It's such a rewarding feeling to watch that transformation.

What message would you give to a camper who is entering your camp or program?

One thing our program does is give students opportunities to participate in activities beyond our classrooms. We started the Unexpected Voices Competition in partnership with organizations including the United Nations, World Speech Day, and the British Council. It gives students an opportunity to gain experience speaking in front of judges and receiving meaningful feedback.

The competition is open to students across Canada and is organized around themes connected to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Students write and present speeches, and the competition includes multiple age categories and rounds. Even for students who are not part of The Power of Words Academy, it's a valuable opportunity to gain experience and build their profiles for future educational opportunities.

Students benefit not only from developing their communication skills but also from having opportunities to apply those skills in real-world settings. We offer different avenues where students can use what they've learned, grow in confidence, and experience the satisfaction that comes from achievement.

For new students, especially those in grades two through five, the program is enjoyable and engaging. Many students come back telling us how much the program has helped them and how proud they are of what they've accomplished. Some students even return to ask teachers to review speeches for opportunities such as valedictorian applications. Our teachers maintain strong relationships with students, and students often come back to share their successes.

The main thing I would tell students is that this program will really help them with school and throughout their lives and careers as they grow.

One of the highlights of our summer camp program is that students create and publish their own books. Students receive a hardcover copy of their published book, complete with a dedication page and a QR code linking to a recording of them reading their story. The children really cherish these books, and they become wonderful keepsakes for families.

Our summer camp program also includes creative writing, green-screen video projects, and talk shows that incorporate public speaking skills. It's a unique opportunity for students to develop their creativity, communication skills, and confidence while creating something they can be proud of.