As part of the Erasmus+ Project ODDience 2030, a Workshop on Oratory is currently taking place at the Agrupamento de Escolas de Albufeira. Its main objective is to prepare students to participate in the Public Speaking Competition, which will be held in Brussels in April 2026.

This initiative aims to develop essential skills such as effective communication, creativity, critical thinking and active citizenship, in close alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are central pillars of the ODDience 2030 Project.

The first sessions  of the Workshop were led by teachers Naseema Saiyad, who guided students through an introductory approach to the fundamental principles of oral communication in formal contexts.

One of the key topics addressed was the difference between Oratory and Eloquence, helping students understand that:

• Oratory focuses on the technique and structure of speech, including the organisation of ideas, clarity of message, argumentation and adaptation to the audience;
• Eloquence is linked to the expressive and emotional impact of a speech, encompassing the use of voice, body language, verbal expression and stage presence.

Throughout these initial sessions, several key aspects of communication were explored, namely:

• Verbal, non-verbal and paraverbal communication, recognising the role of words, tone of voice and body language;
• Techniques for voice placement and projection;
• The importance of posture and public presence;
• The adaptation of language registers to different contexts and audiences;
• The relevance of knowing the target audience;
• The distinction between facts, opinions, feelings and hypotheses, essential for rigorous argumentation;
• And the first steps in preparing and structuring a clear and coherent speech.

Through practical examples, guided exercises and reflective moments, students realised that an effective speech results from the combination of solid content and expressive communication.

In the following sessions, Alberto Gomes, teacher of Philosophy, guided the students in the construction of a solid argumentation.

The second part of the workshop will be led by Guto Martins, a theatre specialist, who will further develop work on body expression, stage presence, interpretation and expressiveness, strengthening essential skills for confident and impactful public speaking.

This Workshop plays a central role in preparing students for a challenge of European dimension. The aim of the competition is for participants to present one or more Sustainable Development Goals, arguing critically and convincingly about their importance through clear, structured and eloquent communication.

Over the coming sessions, students will continue to develop skills such as speech construction, critical argumentation, managing nervousness and building confidence on stage. These learnings will be decisive not only for the competition in Brussels, but also for their academic, personal and civic development.

This workshop reflects the commitment of the ODDience 2030 Project to transformative education, promoting the active participation of young people and giving them a voice in shaping a fairer, more sustainable and more conscious future.