On 3 November, the International Educational Corporation (KazGASA) hosted “RESONANCE: The Art of Attention”, a training session designed to strengthen public speaking and effective communication skills among the university’s faculty members and staff.
The session was led by Alexander Andreev, a professional speaker and immersive theatre director with more than 3,000 hours of stage experience. During the training, participants explored contemporary approaches to public speaking and gained practical tools for engaging audiences and delivering information in a clear, structured and persuasive manner.
The programme focused on capturing the audience’s attention from the very beginning of a presentation, maintaining engagement throughout a speech, structuring key messages and establishing meaningful connections with listeners. Particular attention was given to the role of emotional expression, voice modulation, speaking pace and non-verbal communication in delivering an effective presentation.
One of the key components of the training explored eight types of audiences and eight speaker roles. Participants examined how different audiences perceive information and how speakers can adapt their communication styles to the expectations, characteristics and levels of engagement of their listeners. This approach provided a practical framework for understanding audience dynamics and selecting appropriate communication strategies.
The theoretical sessions were complemented by practical exercises. Participants worked on developing confidence in front of an audience, managing listeners’ attention, organising their thoughts and using voice and body language effectively. The exercises also focused on stage presence, clear delivery and maintaining meaningful interaction with listeners throughout a presentation.
Such professional development initiatives are particularly relevant to the higher education environment. Effective teaching requires not only strong subject knowledge but also the ability to communicate ideas clearly, engage students and create an environment for meaningful dialogue. Similarly, effective communication plays an essential role in institutional management, supporting stronger teamwork, mutual understanding and more efficient organisational processes.
The “RESONANCE: The Art of Attention” training provided KazGASA faculty members and staff with an opportunity to enhance their professional competencies, strengthen their public speaking skills and expand their practical approaches to communication in academic and professional settings.
