5 Best Speech and Drama Lessons for Kids in Singapore: 2024 Guide

Written by The Best Singapore Editors | January 03, 2024

Image: Helen O’Grady Drama Academy

Speech and drama programs are curated educational platforms designed to empower children in effective communication through the medium of dramatic arts. These programs integrate various techniques of storytelling, role-playing, and theatrical exercises to foster confidence, articulation, and expressive skills in young learners.

How do speech and drama programs help with the development of kids?

Speech and drama programs play a pivotal role in a child’s holistic development. By engaging in dramatic activities, children enhance their verbal and non-verbal communication abilities, bolstering their self-confidence and creative thinking. Moreover, through character exploration and improvisation, kids develop empathy, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. Speech and drama programs provide a safe and encouraging environment where children learn to express themselves freely, cultivating social skills, emotional intelligence, and adaptability. These holistic benefits extend beyond the stage, impacting their academic performance and personal growth positively.

In this article, we’ll explore the 5 Best Speech and Drama Lessons for Kids in Singapore, highlighting their unique approaches and the invaluable skills they offer to nurture confident, expressive, and resilient young individuals.

1. Lorna Whiston Schools

Image: Lorna Whiston Schools

Year Established

1980

Age

From 3 years old

Address

United Square 101 Thomson Road, #03-18/#04-22, Singapore 307591

Phone

+65 6871 8844

Website

Lorna Whiston Schools

admissions@lornawhiston.com.sg

Lorna Whiston Schools is a reputable enrichment centre in Singapore that teaches speech and drama lessons for kids and adults. Founded in 1980, the institution has been dedicated to fostering personal growth through education, aiming to furnish students with essential skills and principles necessary for success in the modern era.

The school’s Speech and Drama curriculum is designed to cultivate confident communication skills, allowing students to engage effectively with diverse audiences while also encouraging creative and critical thinking in the expression of their ideas.

Highlights

More than 70,000 students have benefited from the distinctive Lorna Whiston curriculum.
Tailored for various age groups, each segment of the program is thoughtfully designed to develop competencies in the 4C’s: Creativity, Critical Thinking, Collaboration, and Communication. Every level within the program is strategically crafted to progressively enhance students’ mastery through a blend of everyday conversational practice and formal presentations.
The passionate and dedicated instructors prioritize the advancement of every student by offering personalized guidance and continuous, constructive feedback to foster their growth.
Over 90% of students have achieved either a Merit or Distinction in year-end assessments.
Students are presented with the chance to participate in examinations conducted by Trinity College London, a distinguished global examination board that has been offering assessments worldwide since 1877.

CLASSES:

Early Bird 1 & 2 (3 – 4 years old)
Elementary 1 & 2 (5 – 6 years old)
Speak up 1 to 3 (7 – 9 years old)
Speak up 4 to 6 (10 – 12 years old)
Confident Communicator 1 to 4 (13 – 18 years old)
Trinity drama (13 – 18 years old)

2. Julia Gabriel Centre

Image: Julia Gabriel Centre

Year Established

1990

Age

From 3 years old

Locations

Forum

Tampines Mall

Greenwich V

Woodleigh Mall

Phone

+65 6733 4322

Website

Julia Gabriel Centre

enquiries@juliagabriel.com

Julia Gabriel Centre in Singapore is a renowned institution in Singapore offering a holistic curriculum that nurtures children's communication skills, creativity, and confidence through drama, speech, and language arts programs. With a focus on experiential learning and a supportive environment, the centre is recognized for its innovative teaching methods and dedication to empowering young learners in Singapore.

The centre was formally established in 1990 by Julia Gabriel and her husband David. From its humble beginnings in Halifax Road, the school has expanded overseas with branches and partner organizations in New Delhi, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Shanghai, Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh, and Sydney.

Highlights

Julia Gabriel Centre was the first speech and drama centre to be registered with Singapore’s Ministry of Education.
Julia Gabriel developed EduDrama®, a unique teaching and learning methodology that fosters learning within a positive and enjoyable environment.
Tailored activities for each age group empower students to articulate their thoughts and ideas through voice, speech, language, music, movement, art, writing, performance, debate, and visual media.
The EduDrama® team comprises diverse specialists carefully selected for their backgrounds in the arts or education.
The boasts four strategically located hubs across Singapore, offering families easy access to the acclaimed Julia Gabriel curriculum without compromising convenience.

CLASSES:

Speech & Drama Nursery 1 & 2 (3 – 4 years old)
Speech & Drama Kindergarten 1 & 2 (4 – 6 years old)
Speech Communication Arts Primary 1 – 6 (6 – 12 years old)
Communication & Presentation Skills Teens (13 – 18 years old)
Stage Lights Primary 1 – 6 (6 – 12 years old)
Stage Lights Teens (13 – 18 years old)
Debating Primary 4 – 6 (10 – 12 years old)

LOCATIONS:

Forum: 583 Orchard Road, #04-00 Forum, Singapore 238884 (Tel: +65 6733 4322)
Tampines: 4 Tampines Central 5, #05-03 Tampines Mall, Singapore 529510 (Tel: +65 6444 6735)
Greenwich V: 1 Seletar Rd, #02-03/04 Greenwich V, Singapore 807011 (Tel: +65 6816 0418)
Woodleigh Mall: 11 Bidadari Park Drive, #02-45 The Woodleigh Mall, Singapore 367803 (Tel: +65 6993 8851)

3. LoveKids

Image: LoveKids

Year Established

2004

Level

Pre-school

Age

From 6 months old

Locations

Serangoon Gardens

Sembawang

Phone

+65 6288 0508

Website

LoveKids

info@lovekids.com.sg

LoveKids was founded in 2004 by Margaret Nonis who was driven by her profound calling to nurture and cherish children.

At its core, LoveKids embodies Margaret's belief in cultivating Confidence and EQ (Emotional Quotient) skills in every child's journey. This philosophy is seamlessly integrated into their diverse range of programs, designed to foster these essential skills throughout different developmental stages.

Within LoveKids' framework, Confidence and EQ skills are interwoven into the fabric of education. The curriculum includes Speech and Drama courses tailored for Nursery and K1 levels and the Journey to P1 program dedicated to K2s.

Highlights

LoveKids teaches infants as young as 6 months old, using drama as a tool to help young learners build social skills, speech skills, self-expression, and two-way communication.
The accomplished team of educators comprises graduates from esteemed institutions like Trinity Guildhall School of Music and Drama, LASALLE School of the Arts, Singapore Institute of Management, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT), and James Cook University.
One-on-one learning support classes provide tailored guidance that fosters academic progress and equips students with essential skills crucial for their educational journey and overall life development.

CLASSES:

Specialised Speech and Drama Programme for Infants (Parent Accompanied)
Specialised Speech and Drama Programme for Toddlers and Playgroup (Parent Accompanied / Drop-off)
Speech and Drama with Public Speaking for Nursery
Speech and Drama with Public Speaking for K1
P1 Prep Programme for K2
Specialised One-on-One Learning Support Classes

RATES & FEES:

Specialised Speech and Drama Programme for Infants: S$40/lesson
Specialised Speech and Drama Programme for Toddlers and Playgroup: S$45/lesson
Speech and Drama with Public Speaking: S$39.50/lesson
P1 Prep Programme for K2: S$48.50/lesson
Deposit for new students: S$80
Registration fee for new students: S$50

LOCATIONS:

Serangoon Gardens: 24A Maju Avenue, Singapore 556696 (Tel: +65 6288 0508)
Sembawang: 407 Sembawang Road, Singapore 758386 (Tel: +65 9107 2454)

4. Helen O’Grady Drama Academy

Image: Helen O’Grady Drama Academy

Year Established

1979

Class types

Group

1-on-1

Class size

Maximum of 12 students per class

Level

Pre-school

Lower Primary

Upper Primary

Age

From 2 years old

Address

231 Mountbatten Road, Block B, #03-03, Mountbatten Centre, Singapore 397999

Phone

+65 9116 2838

Website

Helen O’Grady Drama Academy

enquiry@helenogrady.com.sg

Helen O’Grady Drama Academy is a global drama school that was founded in Australia by teacher and actress Helen O’Grady in 1979. The academy teaches speech and drama lessons to more than 100,000 students in 40 countries worldwide every week.

In 1998, Helen O’Grady Academy opened its doors in Singapore, utilizing drama to foster life skills development and helping students grow confidence, self-esteem, creativity, and communication abilities.

Highlights

The Helen O’Grady Drama Academy’s proprietary curriculum intertwines various dramatic techniques, improvisation exercises, and character-building activities, fostering a comprehensive understanding of the dramatic arts.
The academy has no auditions. It welcomes students of all abilities and backgrounds, embracing a culture of inclusivity.
Unique lessons are assured for each child every time they attend class. Students can go through the program from age 2 to 18 without ever encountering the same lesson twice.
The academy is proud of its team of highly qualified, passionate, and dedicated teachers. Each instructor possesses extensive expertise in drama education, backed by formal training and professional experience in the performing arts.

CLASSES:

Thinking Tots: Speech and drama class for 2 years old
Little Tykes: Speech and drama class for 3-4 years old
Lower Primary: Speech and drama class for lower primary school kids
Upper Primary: Speech and drama class for upper primary school kids
Youth Theatre: Youth Theatre Acting programme for youth 12 years and up
Explore Drama: 4-week exploratory programme for drama
Public Speaking: Public Speaking course for children
DSA Preparation Programme: DSA preparation through drama and theatre for Primary 4-6 students

5. Graces Speech & Drama Studio

Image: Graces Speech & Drama Studio

Year Established

2005

Class types

Group

Individual

Level

Nursery

Primary

Secondary

Age

From 3 years old

Trial lesson

Available

Address

22 169 Joo Chiat Road, #03-01, Singapore 427729

Phone

+65 8766 5244

Website

Graces Speech & Drama Studio

hello@graces-studio.net

Graces Speech & Drama Studio was founded in 2005 after the closure of Holy Child Speech & Drama Centre. Founder Grace Yap brought together fellow teachers from their former school and built the new drama school and studio to provide a place for their students to continue their drama education.

Currently, the studio upholds a long-standing commitment to community education, providing high-quality speech and drama instruction. Originating as a non-profit institution catering to families with limited resources, Graces Studio remains dedicated to engaging in social programs and educational initiatives.

Highlights

Graces Speech & Drama Studio champions an ideal learning environment that thrives on encouragement, creativity, and individual expression.
The team of dedicated and passionate teachers have a combined teaching experience spanning over 40 years.
Students are encouraged to sit for internationally recognised UK examinations every September and November.
The studio provides opportunities for students to showcase their talent through various community performances and engaging acting activities.

CLASSES: