Sunway Velocity Mall ( Johan Speaking Academy )

In January, we were offered to have an outlet at Sunway Velocity Mall. We have been great partners with Sunway Group, doing many events at Sunway Lagoon, Sunway Lost World of Tambun, Sunway Velocity and Sunway Putra Mall. But to have a presence at the mall itself, WOW ! Negotiations were made before the actual agreement was signed.

Where about at Sunway Velocity Mall ? If you are not familiar, Sunway Velocity Mall is located in between Cheras and Pudu. You can reach the mall via Jalan Cheras or Jalan Peel. If you are using public transport ( MRT ), you can reach by adjourning at Cochrane station or Maluri station.

Johan Speaking Academy is located INSIDE the mall at Level 5, Room 5. Level 5 is also known as The Commune.

No time was wasted as we asked contractors to come in and do the necessary planning. First was the air-cond contractor and then followed by the curtain.

In less than 1 week, renovations were done concurrently. The heavy-one was the air-cond and electrical wiring. Then followed by flooring, curtain and interior design. In less than 12 days, everything was ready. YEAH !

Sunway group also came to speak to us with regards to Sunway Pals. What is Sunway Pals ? If you are not a member yet, it is free to register. You will get cashback on your spending in our program, or any spending between the sunway group ( colleges, malls, hospitals and other services ). On another side, you could also pay for our kids and teens workshops with your sunway pals cash.

We will official start to operate on 1 April 2020. See you folks from Cheras, Ampang and surrounding areas. Cheers !

Teens Public Speaking @ SMK IMTIAZ Ulul Albab Melaka

"Johan, we would like to invite you to conduct a workshop for our students. Are you available ?" Siti asked.

We agreed and that was the start of fine-tuning some of the modules for 60 teens. It has to be :
- interactive
- fun
- easy to understand
- applicable after they leave the workshop.

It was a plan to go with Cherry, and at the same time, hunt for food at Melaka. But that was not to be when we also have a kids emcee engagement with MITI ( Ministry of International Trade and Industry ) on the same day.

I dropped off Cherry at MITI at 6.30am, and drove straight to Melaka. Reached there around 9.00am and Siti was there to greet me. She was also kind enough to serve me with breakfast.

I took a quick one and went straight to set-up my laptop and the projector.

Within 15 minutes, the teens came in. Siti asked,"Johan, we have around 67 kids, is it OK ?" "Sure, no problem. Welcome them in," I replied.

Started off with a quick ice-breaker to warm them up. There were loud cheers amongst them. All boys school, right?

We started with the fundamentals of public speaking, then moved on to impromptu speech, body language and voice modulation. Some took the stage for the 1st time, some were quite familiar, doing this few times already, some got challenged by their friends and stepped up to speak though it was nerve wrecking.

The teenagers thoroughly enjoyed themselves, and I assured them, these skills they learned will be truly useful in the future. 3 Hours just passed and it was the end.

Siti told me,"Johan, this was the 1st, and I assure you, it will not be last." "I am glad I am able to serve and impart my knowledge. Thanks for the invitation."

From the desk of :
Johan Ooi ( Founder of Johan Speaking Academy )

Train-The-Educator ( TTE ) by Johan Speaking Academy ( Feb 2020 )

One more step forward. A mission to empower more kids with confidence which they can carry forward in their lives.

Educators from various new locations were present for this certification program. Locations involved were Pandan Indah, Semenyih, Ara Damansara, Kota Kemuning and Seri Kembangan.

This 3-Day Train The Educator program was designed to equipped them with the knowledge and know-how to run some of the programs under Johan Speaking Academy.

Some of them asked,"Is this possible?" "Of course," I replied without hesitation. We have been doing this certification since 2016.

Day 1

Educators were exposed to the fundamentals of public speaking. Not only on the adults side, also on the mindset for both adults and kids. It was such fun to see them enjoying themselves while learning these new skills.

It was very fast pace too, as we have so much to cover. From crafting speeches, to presenting and to evaluating. Theory, then practical, theory, then practical and practical.

In the afternoon, we dived very deep into the modules for kids. Simple, yet effective way to deliver results. This proven method has helped more than 3000 kids to speak on stage since 2014.

Day 2

We went deeper into the modules. This covered from conducting the modules, how to get kids on stage, how can they present with confidence, how to speak to parents, how to market yourself on social media and many more.

Many group projects, role-play were done too. As we had a good time learning, time passed very quickly too. By the time we realized, it was the end of day 2.

Day 3

Educators were practicing and rehearsing their part for the LIVE workshop. 13 kids were called to come in so that educators can actually implement what they learned for the past 2 days. It was a short few hours with the kids, but a fruitful one. After the session with the kids, we discussed and brainstorm ways to even improve further. This also helped the educators see their strengths and fine-tuned their weaknesses.

At the end of the day, it was a great session with them. I told them,"This is just the beginning of a great journey." In which they replied ,"Of course."

Now, let's rock and roll. Go out there and impact lives.

From the desk of :

Johan Ooi ( Founder of Johan Speaking Academy )

Kids Emcee @ Menara MITI - NAP ( National Automotive Policy 2020 )

It was another great journey for our student. MITI ( Ministry of International Trade and Industry ) invited us once again to co-host an event. This time, the chosen boy was Edrez. Edrez has been with Johan Speaking Academy for more than 18 months. His partner will be celebrity and journalist Ms Daphne Iking.

The event was the launch of the new National Automotive Policy ( NAP.

20 Feb 2020 ( A day before )

As usual, a day before the actual event, would be the busiest day. Set-up, rehearsal, hall settings, stage preparation, event run-down, ushers position, opening gambits, launch sequence, VVIP and VIP seatings and many more.

Cherry and myself was there early to get hold of the emcee script. Without wasting much time, we kicked-off the practice session with Edrez. It was fun, exciting yet challenging. As an emcee, Edrez had to know the flow of the whole event. We were notified by the representative from MITI with regards to that. Of course, there were some minor changes, but it was alright. After 3 hours, we had our break. Edrez made his way back home, so as myself and Cherry.

7pm. We gathered back at the hall for the final run-down. It was exiciting as things started to fall in place compared to the afternoon session. This was when things made sense, as we could only see parts and bits of the preparation earlier. From the flow, the timing of the national anthem, the partnership between Edrez and Daphne, the launch gambit and etc. Finally, at 9.30pm, we adjourned home.


21 Feb 2020 ( The launch day )

I dropped Cherry off as early as 6.30am, as I have to rushed to Melaka for a speaking engagement with a school. Call time to gather was 8.00am, and breakfast was served around 7.30am.

Edrez was there early too, with his suit, his script and his lovely smile. Cherry told him,"Just relax and enjoy the process."

As people started to fill the ballroom, we could see Edrez and Daphne "high-five" each other.

Daphne Iking," Could we please rise for the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tun Dr Mahathir bin Mohamad."
Edrez,"Kindly remain standing for the national anthem Negaraku and Malaysia Bersih."

You could watch the whole event here from this link :
https://www.facebook.com/MITIMalaysia/videos/628082394658979/

In less than 45 mins, the whole event concluded. The journey was an amazing one. Cherry, myself and Edrez learned so much from this process. Cherry and Edrez even managed to get a wefie with the Prime Minister.

We would like to thank MITI for this wonderful opportunity and looking forward to more collaboration.

From the desk of:
Johan Ooi ( Founder of Johan Speaking Academy )