Friendly Carshalton-based tutor and professional actor offering classes in Elocution/Accent Reduction - learn to speak English clearly

Find out more about Tommy

• How long have you been interested in Public Speaking?

  My interest in the subject began with enjoying acting from a young age. Seeing the impact a stage play can have on an audience, the way it has the capacity to transfix and inspire people, had a profound impact on me. As I then started acting myself, as well as competing in public speaking events, I saw the importance of these skills from the side of the speaker rather than the audience. This then led me to a future in acting as well as being a public speaking and elocution teacher.

• Tell us what your discipline can bring to people's lives.

  Standing up and speaking in public can be intimidating. Especially in professional settings, being a confident orator can be the difference between getting that pitch over the line, getting that promotion, or completing that sale. If you can present yourself impressively in public, people will want to hear what you have to say and in turn, you will inspire confidence in others, As a trained professional actor I can help you conquer your fears in order to be clear, audible and convincing when addressing a room of people.

• Could you provide some instant top tips to help us become better communicators?

  To bring it down to the essentials, there are two main questions I always ask of any speaker when I am watching them and listening to them. They are as follows, in order of importance. Firstly, "Do I understand you?" and secondly, "Do I care?". If we always bring our communication skills back to addressing those essential questions, then we're on our way to becoming an effective communicator.

• How would you describe your method as a practitioner?

  It is my belief that the key in working one-to-one with clients is being a good mentor. It's one thing being able to impart the knowledge and techniques necessary to be a successful communicator, but it's entirely another thing making them really want to do the work and enjoy doing it. I believe I'm a good motivator of people and clients who work with me feel excited by the work and this is key to making the work stick beyond the time they leave my tutelage.

• With experience, are there things you have learned or unlearned about yourself or others?

  Patience is important in the pursuit of learning new skills; allow time to let it settle.

• Do you have a role model, a person who really inspired you?

  In terms of public speaking, I try to keep open to learning new things from as many different people as possible.

• How do you personally relax; what methods work for you?

  Listening to music and reading.

• Tell us about a memorable lesson.

  I worked online with a student who was so terrified of speaking in public that, in the beginning, they were unable to have their camera enabled for our lessons. As the classes progressed and they became gradually more comfortable and confident, they were able to switch their camera on. The most satisfying lesson involved them standing up and delivering their first-ever presentation to me. They seemed transformed from their first class and it gave me great satisfaction to watch that progression.