The English-Speaking Union's 2015 Public Speaking Academy was held between 8 and 10 January at the Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry in Valletta. This year the ESU had 44 participants (double the number of participants in 2014) and it is unprecedented that this year they represented every sixth form on the island (Giovanni Curmi Higher Secondary, Junior College, St Martin's College, St Edward's College, St Aloysius' College, Verdala International School and De La Salle). The Public Speaking Academy is an annual event organised by the ESU and is on offer to all sixth formers in Malta. The primary objective of the experience is to ensure that post-secondary school students become aware of the importance of effective communication, both in social or personal contexts, and in professional contexts.ESU Malta continues to work hard to achieve its goal of spreading the use of the English language in a bid to bring people together and enhance their economic and social well-being. With post-secondary school students, this purpose is furthered to include the tutoring of public speaking and debating skills in two separate academies.These help participants learn how to get their message across in a mature and productive way, but also to discuss diverse opinions in a structured and responsible manner.The Public Speaking Academy, led by ESU director of Education, Pia Zammit, directed participants through a journey that enabled them to discover the most successful way to harmonise their body language with their verbal communication, the value of persuasive speech, effective ways of strengthening their voice and the importance of always being themselves. The participants were also treated to presentations by guest speakers Prof. Clare Vassallo, Malcolm Galea and Philip Leone-Ganado.The academy will be followed with a Public Speaking competition on 26 February. The lucky winner of this competition will have the opportunity to travel to ESU London and compete with students from all over the world in an International Public Speaking competition in May.