A Nassau County high school student is helping fellow students learn how to speak in public, thanks to a unique public speaking training program she launched.
Elizabeth Matalon, a senior at Great Neck North High School, is the person behind Teen Speakers Club (TSC), a peer-to-peer public speaking program designed to help students develop confidence and communication skills through structured mentorship and training.the program provides an eight-module curriculum aimed at making public speaking more accessible to young people.
Matalon’s interest in public speaking began at age 13 when her aunt, a stroke survivor, needed help raising awareness about the warning signs of a stroke. She was tasked with delivering presentations at nursing homes, assisted living communities, and senior centers but struggled with stage fright. To prepare, her family enrolled her in public speaking classes, but she found it difficult to relate to her instructor. Instead, she made the most progress practicing at home, eventually gaining the confidence to give the speeches.
Recognizing the importance of public speaking, Matalon continued to develop her skills. When students returned to in-person learning after COVID-19, she noticed many of her classmates struggling with presentations after years of virtual learning. She began informally tutoring peers and soon expanded her efforts, eventually training over 50 students before officially launching Teen Speakers Club (TSC) in her junior year.
TSC operates on the principle that teens learn best from their peers. The program trains student mentors to guide participants through structured lessons, focusing on practical exercises, hands-on presentations, and personalized feedback. After developing her curriculum, Matalon shared her materials with Diane Windingland, author of Speech Class for Teens, who was impressed by her approach. Windingland provided feedback and later invited Matalon to collaborate on an upcoming edition of her book.
“As a public speaking professional and communication coach, I am impressed with Elizabeth Matalon’s program,” said Windingland. “Her step-by-step approach is both practical and effective, offering valuable exercises and tips that build confidence and skill. This program provides a solid foundation for young speakers to grow and succeed in any setting.”
Beyond TSC, Matalon has expanded her public speaking instruction into schools and community organizations. Recently, she conducted a workshop for 30 high school students at Rye Country Day School as part of its Peer Leadership program. She is also working to expand the program within her own school, Great Neck North High School, further increasing student access to public speaking training.
“Over time, TSC has grown and made a significant impact in my community and beyond. The club is about harnessing the unique connection between teens to empower them to find their voices. Public speaking can be challenging at any age, but by making it relatable, we ease the learning process for young teens,” Matalon describes.
Teen Speaker’s Club continues to grow, training new mentors and reaching more students. For more information or to get involved, visit www.teenspeakersclub.com.