Junior Speakers League FAQs

Can my child and visit the club before we decide about joining?

Yes, we welcome, and encourage, online visitors to the group to “check us out.”  To arrange for a visit, call or text us at 214-972-8046, or email julia@readysetresources.com.

If we visit, does my child have to speak?

Guests are usually given the opportunity to answer an off-the-cuff question during the Impromptu segment of the meeting. Guests have the option to say, “I pass,” if they would rather just observe the meeting. Guests do have the option to vote after the major segments of the meeting, so should pay attention to determine who did the best job during each segment (Impromptus, Prepared Speeches, and Evaluations).

What happens at a typical meeting?

The club meetings are very similar in format to Speakers League meetings, with opportunities for impromptu speaking, prepared speeches, and speech evaluations, but the club Chairperson is more hands-on in JSL, making sure the members are ready for, and understand what’s going on at the meetings. 

Meetings follow the same basic format each time. The Chairperson goes over the schedule and makes sure everyone is ready for their role. The MC for the day is introduced and he or she introduces the Wordmaster who presents a Word of the Day and counts filler words. Next, the Humorist is introduced to tell a few jokes. Then the Impromptu Master is introduced to ask each member (and guest) a question that they have 2-minutes to answer. After that are the prepared speeches, then individual evaluations. Then the Poet Laureate is introduced to share a poem, the Wordmaster gives their report, and then finally winners are announced for Best Impromptu, Best Speaker, and Best Evaluator, based on private voting after each segment.

The members are pre-assigned to a specific role at the meeting (these rotate from meeting to meeting). A member might be assigned to be the Timekeeper, a Speaker, an Evaluator, or the MC, for example. Members learn how to do these roles through a combination of reviewing their member handbook (see sample pages here), training videos, and practice activities in the club. Of course, the club chairperson (the adult supervisor of the club) provides help where needed, as well as the parent or aide.

In addition to the meeting roles mentioned above, Junior Speakers League members periodically present prepared speeches, starting with the “All About Me” speech, and then the “Focus on Gestures” speech, and “Focus on Vocal Variety,” “Focus on Visual Aids,” “How To,” and “I Know a Lot About” speeches. Each 3 – 5 minute speech in the Basic Level is geared to develop a different presentation skill, including gestures, vocal variety, visual aids, etc. There are three levels in Junior Speakers League – Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced.

While many children in the club develop a readiness for a regular Speakers League club, and eventually transfer, some members remain with Junior Speakers League, because it remains the best fit for them.

Is my child ready/capable for Junior Speakers League?

Your child is probably ready for Junior Speakers League if you can answer “yes” to these questons.

√ My child can read at a second grade (or better) level, or with minor assistance.

√ My child can be understood, well, verbally.

√ My child can quickly self-regulate, with or without assistance, to avoid episodes of non-participation or outbursts due to frustration.

√ My child can refrain from speaking out of turn and creating distractions, alone or with some assistance.

√ My child can manage tasks responsibly, alone or with some assistance.

√ If my child requires additional time, experience, and/or support to understand concepts and accomplish tasks, he or she will accept supportive instruction from the teacher.

√ My child can stay focused on another person speaking for a sustained period of time (3-5 minutes) and talk about what was said.

√ If necessary, a parent or aide can be in attendance at all meetings and seated beside the member until he/she can manage items above without assistance.

If you answered “Yes” to all of the above, your child is probably a good fit for Junior Speakers League.

 

JSL Club 1
1st & 3rd Mondays, 6pm-7:30pm Central
Contact us to be added to see if there is space in the club.

 

What sort of parent/aide involvement is required?

Although Junior Speakers League clubs are adult led, the presence of a parent or other adult aide may be required to ensure any needs are met that might arise for the member. (A parent or aide can attend to multiple children if they are siblings.) Involvement may include sitting with your child while the meeting is happening, or nearby. Once it is determined that a child can operate well in the meeting environment by himself, parent-presence is no longer necessary..

How much homework/preparation time is involved?

Giving a speech would be the only role at a meeting that requires substantial preparation time. Members are generally scheduled around four speeches per year, so they are usually a couple of months apart, giving enough time to put together a good speech. 
 
Some of the other roles do require a little preparation, for example, the Wordmaster chooses a Word of the Day and comes with a definition of it. The Impromptu Master prepares enough questions to ask the group (or can choose from the questions we keep available). The Humorist brings some jokes. The Poet Laureate brings a poem. The ideal MC will reach out to speakers for introductory material before the meeting and fill in the MC’s worksheet.
 
That’s about it. Other than preparing speeches which can be done in small bites, there’s not a lot of homework.

Who teaches my child how to write speeches?

The handbook provides instruction on the goal of each speech, and worksheets to develop their speeches. We also have three components to speech feedback – in-club evaluation by another member, self-evaluation using a video we endeavor to take of their speech, and an Executive Evaluation by the club chairperson. Speech videos are generally made available to the member on an unlisted page on YouTube.

The speeches in the Basic Level do emphasize the development of specific presentation skills. These include using gestures, vocal variety, visual aids, and organization. The member handbook gives specific tips and guidelines for these speech skills.

In Junior Speakers League’s Basic and Intermediate levels, parents may assist to any degree they feel appropriate in the crafting of a member’s speeches.

In Junior Speakers League’s Basic and Intermediate levels, parents may assist to any degree they feel appropriate in the crafting of a member’s speeches.

If my child joins, how will he know how to be the MC, or the Wordmaster, or an Evaluator, etc?

When members join, they receive a 36-page member handbook that, among other things, describes how to do each role at a meeting. Members learn how to do their roles through a combination of reviewing their member handbook (see sample pages here), training videos, practice activities in the club, and observing. Of course, the club chairperson (the adult supervisor of the club) provides help where needed, as well as the parent or aide. 

Parents are primarily responsible for making sure their child is prepared for the upcoming meeting.

How long does it take to complete each Level?

Completing each level in Junior Speakers League (there are three), involves giving six speeches and demonstrating mastery (commensurate with the level) for each club role during that level. Typically this will take 12 – 18 months.

My child is not 7 yet. Can she still join?

A child may join if he/she is ready. Click here for our readiness guidelines.

My child will be turning 13 this school year. Can he still join?

The maximum age for a child in Junior Speakers League at the beginning of a school year is 12. If a child will turn 13 during a Junior Speakers League school year, he/she may stay in the club until the end of the school year. 

How much does it cost to join?

If paying with Charter School funds click here. There is a one-time, non-refundable, $95 registration/materials fee per child when you join a Junior Speakers League club through this website. Dues, if paid annually, are $495. If you would prefer a month-to-month arrangement, you may opt to pay dues of $45 per month, year-round, until you withdraw from the club.

Why are monthly dues collected during the summer when the club doesn’t meet?

All of our dues are essentially annual. You can either pay $495 per year all at once, or $540 per year in $45/month increments. There are three reasons:

  • We found that parents like the flexibility of a paying a smaller month-to-month figure.
  • We found that stability in our membership and scheduling was enhanced by a year-round arrangement.
  • We are able to keep our dues lower because there is less paperwork, staffing, and marketing involved in managing membership.

Can my child participate in SLAM?

Yes! SLAM stands for “Speakers League Annual Meet,” and it is an annual online gathering of Speakers League, Debate League, and Junior Speakers League members for activities, educational sessions, and competitions. It is usually conducted on a weekend in May or June. Some in-person SLAM events are held regionally. Read more here

Is there a sibling discount?

Yes. Siblings receive a 10% discount on both registration and dues when joining the exact same club. Use the promo code “SIBLINGS” on your online order form.

What forms of payment do you accept?

We accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, and PayPal for our monthly payment option. If paying annually you may use these same methods, or cash, or check.

Can I transfer from one Junior Speakers League club to another?

If you wish to transfer from one Ready Set Resources JSL club to another, there is a $25 fee to cover administrative costs. Members are expected to present another All About Me speech when transferring to a new club. If you transfer to an non-rsrEducation club we charge a $25 to transfer your child’s transcript of completed speeches and roles.

How often does the club meet?

Our Junior Speakers League clubs meet twice per month between September and May, plus our optional SLAM (Speakers League Annual Meet) held at the end of the school year, in late May or early June.

Should I wait to join in September?

There is little difference in experience joining in September or any other month. It is commonplace for new members to join year-round. Membership goes up and down. The best time to join is when there is an opening in the club.

Do members have to come to every meeting?

No. However, if your child is scheduled for a role but unable to attend, it is customary to find a replacement.

How do we withdraw from the club?

You may withdraw your child from the club at any time by notifying the club Chairperson. Payments up to that point are non-refundable. Future scheduled payments are immediately halted. 

Do you offer financial aid?

If you feel that you could not otherwise participate in Junior Speakers League without some financial assistance, we do make special arrangements for families that request it. Many of our students receive assistance. We want everyone to be able to partake of this great program! We offer partial scholarships, and they are based solely on need, not merit. To request a scholarship, we ask that the parent submit a statement in writing, or verbally, describing the reason assistance is desired, and what amount is requested. Members/parents who receive scholarship assistance may be asked to contribute volunteer time, on occasion.

When we’re ready to join, what should we do?

The quickest way to join one of our clubs is through our online enrollment portal at this link. (If you are requesting financial aid, contact us at the email or phone number at the bottom of this page, and a different ordering method will be used.)

What happens after my child joins?

Once you have paid and completed our online member data form, an automated, short series of emails will start to come to you to help you and your child get ready for the club. A member handbook will be provided by mail, and your child will be added to the club schedule which we will send a link to. 

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact julia@readysetresources.com or 214-972-8046. 

"All I can say is WOW! I was so impressed with every aspect -- the kids, the speeches, the way the meetings are organized, the whole thing is totally superb. Bravo!"

Erica Stearns, Parent

Contact

Phone: 1-214-972-8046
Fax: 1-310-868-2891
Email: julia@readysetresources.com
PO Box 866092 Plano TX 75086