Communications Conference - Institute for Cultural Communicators

We offer comprehensive communications training that will equip students with real-world public speaking, argumentation, and critical thinking skills.

Our school-friendly three day schedule covers numerous types of communication and challenges students to try new styles of speaking. Regardless of their level of experience, students engage with debate, platform speaking, storytelling, and limited preparation speaking, helping them communicate with confidence in a variety of situations.

Why do my students need to study communication?

Not every child is going to go into politics or become an attorney. So why should they learn to speak in public? Studies have shown that only 5% of Americans say they are ready and willing to take the public platform. Stop and think about it—this means the other 95% of Americans have to listen to the 5% who stand up and speak. Our goal is to equip Christian students to become that 5%, ready and willing to share the hope of Christ with the world around them. We want students who can engage with the messages our culture communicates and graciously communicate the hope within them.

Whether your students will speak to audiences of 3, 30, 300 or 3000, they will communicate for the rest of their lives. When they interview with colleges and potential employers, clear, confident communication will set them apart from their peers. When their friends begin to question them about their political or religious beliefs, effective communication will help them build bridges and challenge ideas. In a world that encourages teenagers to use sloppy communication, public speaking education will equip your students to be powerful ambassadors for Christ.

What will my students learn?

Many students (and most parents!) are terrified of speaking in public. Our program will help students overcome their fear and effectively engage audiences. Our activities, workshops, and exercises will help your students see past their hesitation and shyness in a non-threatening, encouraging environment where everyone has a chance to succeed. Peer-mentoring by other students will help them build friendships and give them the confidence to share their ideas.

Our program also goes beyond basic public speaking tips and integrates critical thinking and debate skills throughout the three-day conference. Our activities will help your students critically evaluate real-world issues, communicate their position persuasively, and reason logically with other speakers. Our ICCFS pages have more information about the way we practice debate skills.

Students are taught how to research strong positions, the importance of credibility, logic and reasoning, and the art of persuasion—invaluable skills in all kinds of speaking. Our activities and class sessions combine critical thinking skills with speaking practice, enabling students to try new things as they learn them. We also teach students how to listen to others and ask good questions, all with the goal of using critical thinking and communication skills to build bridges into our communities.

Finally, communications training also improves students’ performance in every area of school as they learn to reason well and express their knowledge clearly. Literature, history, science, politics, and apologetics come alive as students learn to relate details and facts knowledge to big-picture ideas so they can engage their fellow students. We offer numerous resources to help parents and teachers integrate communications training across curriculum, equipping students with effective learning tools in every area of study.

What are the program’s goals?

The Institute for Cultural Communicators believes that all Christians must be equipped to do three things:

Offer a gracious response to those who disagree with us
Present a well-thought-out position when questioned on our beliefs
“Give an answer for the hope that is in us”—even at a moment’s notice

Our program uses fun, engaging activities and a supportive practice environment to inspire students to communicate with excellence in every area of life.

What should I wear?

Because our conferences train students to become professional speakers, students are asked to wear professional attire.

Gentlemen: dress slacks, collared shirts and ties. Coat is optional.
Ladies: dresses or dress slacks, always modest, please. Dresses or skirts must be at least knee length.

Note to all conference participants: Please NO jeans, t-shirts, shorts, mini-skirts, see through fabric, tight slacks, low cut tops, or midriffs showing. Also, leave gum and hats at home. Any student not adhering to the dress code will be asked to change.

What should I prepare?

Check out the track homework on the following pages: