When the kids were little we joined an Alphy's Road to Reading program where they would get up in front of a group of kids and tell about that book they had read. Then the group morphed into more of a speech group. They learned how to give different types of speeches once a month on various topics, pretty informal. During the last two years my older two have joined a formal speech and debate league. On does speech and debate one does speech only. My twelve year old is joining this year. I have been so encouraged by their progress. I am one who took a 0 or didn't participate due to fear.