In the final part of this blog series on learning lines, Liane explains why learning your ‘lines’ for Speaking in Public exams should be approached slightly differently.
How do I actually learn my speech for a LAMDA Speaking in Public exam?
Whenever students begin learning their speech word for word, it can often come across as wooden or over-rehearsed. The act of delivering the speech becomes more about remembering the exact word order than communicating meaning.
With Acting and Speaking Verse and Prose exams, it’s our job to memorise and present exactly what the writer intended.
However, in a Speaking in Public exam, the goal is different.
Rather than memorising your speech word for word, it’s far more effective to learn:
- the points you’re making
- and the order in which you present them
This allows you to communicate with spontaneity, so your audience feels they are hearing your words as if for the very first time.
Why Memorising a LAMDA Speech Word for Word Can Hold You Back
After researching a topic, it can be tempting to write the speech out in full and try to learn it from the page.
In my experience, this can actually make things harder.
When you learn a speech this way, you can end up reaching for the exact wording rather than focusing on the ideas. This often leads to hesitation, stiffness, and a loss of natural flow.
A speech is meant to be spoken, not recited.
The key is to learn the structure and meaning — not to memorise a script.
Use Note Cards
Here’s how I approach this with my students, using the start of Ali’s Grade 1 speech about his holiday to Egypt as an example:
In 2018 I visited Egypt and saw one of the Seven Wonders of the World!
After our flight into Cairo, we went in a taxi to our hotel…
Step 1: Identify key points
Cut a sheet of paper into small pieces or ‘cards’.
Write down two or three words that capture the idea of your first point.
For example, Ali wrote:
“Intro: 2018, Egypt”
Step 2: Link each point to a location
Take the card and place it somewhere in the room that will help trigger the memory.
Ali placed his first card next to a family holiday photo taken in Egypt.
Then ask your child to speak that part of the speech out loud.
Step 3: Build the journey
Repeat this process for each point in the speech.
For example:
“Cairo, traffic, bus”
Ali placed this card near a toy car.
Continue until all the cards are placed around the room.
Step 4: Walk the speech
Now ask your child to move around the room, using each location as a prompt to speak the next part of the speech.
Repeat this several times until the journey becomes familiar.
This is one of the most effective ways to learn a LAMDA speech without relying on word-for-word memorisation.
Keep Line Learning Active
Once your child is confident, remove the cards.
Ask them to deliver the speech while following the same journey around the room.
Students are often surprised by how much they remember — because what they’ve really learned is not the wording, but the sequence of ideas.
Why This Works
The human memory recalls information far more effectively when it’s linked to something else — in this case, space and movement.
This method also keeps learning active rather than passive, which makes it both more effective and far more enjoyable than simply repeating lines and hoping they stick.
When students learn a speech in this way, they not only remember it more easily, but are able to speak with far more freedom and confidence in their LAMDA exam.
After You’ve Learned Your Speech
Once the structure of your speech is secure, it’s important to keep practising so that your delivery remains clear and confident.
But just as importantly, trust the work you’ve done.
When you focus on your ideas rather than exact wording, your speech will feel more natural, more engaging, and much easier to deliver under pressure.
Leap — and the net will appear.
If your child is preparing for a LAMDA Speaking in Public exam — or you’re considering starting their LAMDA journey — you can find out more about my LAMDA Public Speaking lessons here.
If you’d prefer to begin with some tailored support, a one-off session is a great place to start. You’re very welcome to book here.
