Public Speaking Training through the LANTANG Program as an Effort to Develop Children's Communication Skills at the Abiseka Center in Pekanbaru

Abstract

Communication skills are essential abilities that children need to develop as a foundation for conveying information, expressing opinions, and building social interactions. One way to facilitate the development of these skills is through public speaking training, which provides children with opportunities to learn and practice speaking skills directly. The LANTANG Program (Public Speaking Class) is an activity conducted by students of the Community Education Study Program at the University of Riau as part of the School Field Introduction Program (PLP) at the Abiseka Center in Pekanbaru. This article aims to describe the implementation of public speaking training through the LANTANG Program as an effort to develop children's communication skills. This article employs a descriptive qualitative approach based on the description of PLP activities and a review of relevant literature. The program was conducted over three sessions through material delivery and practical activities using the role-play method with a store promotion scenario. During the activities, children were given opportunities to play the roles of sellers and buyers through simulated buying and selling activities. This practice provided participants with opportunities to develop their skills in introducing products, conveying information, promoting products, asking questions, and responding to their interlocutors. The implementation of the LANTANG Program demonstrates the application of practice-based learning that connects public speaking skills with communication situations in everyday life.