Meet Lingua Speech Academy | Public Speaking and Debate Mentorship Program

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lingua Speech Academy and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lingua, putting aside the decision to work for yourself, what other decisions were critical to your success?
One of the most important decisions that contributed to our success was the decision to prioritize accessibility and inclusivity in our mentorship program. We recognized that many middle school students lacked access to resources and opportunities for developing public speaking and debate skills. By making a conscious effort to ensure our program was accessible to students from diverse backgrounds, regardless of their financial means, we were able to reach a wider audience and make a more significant impact. This decision allowed us to empower a greater number of students and create a more inclusive learning environment, fostering their growth and success.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Certainly! We are Sriya, Ananya, and Asmit from Frisco, Texas. We started Lingua Speech Academy when we noticed the lack of importance and funding given to public speaking and debate programs in our school district. We started off with summer workshops for middle school students, but since then, we’ve expanded to mentorship programs, community service projects, and speech competitions. Our goal for Lingua goes beyond teaching communication skills; we also emphasize critical thinking, teamwork, and empathy. Our journey to where we are today professionally has been marked by both triumphs and challenges. Limited resources and funding constraints posed obstacles, but we persevered through dedication and the support of our community. By forging partnerships with community centers and organizations, we expanded our reach and discovered more opportunities for our students. Throughout our journey, we have learned important lessons. We discovered the significance of resilience, adaptability, and collaboration in overcoming obstacles. We also recognized the crucial role played by our volunteers, community, and students’ families in achieving our goals. We believe that every student, regardless of their background, deserves access to these essential skills and opportunities. Our story is one of determination, community support, and the transformative power of effective communication. We are excited to continue our mission, empowering more middle school students, and fostering their personal growth and success.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If our best friend was visiting Dallas for a week, We would ensure they have a fantastic time. We would start by exploring the vibrant downtown area, visiting local shops and enjoying a delicious meal. We would spend an afternoon at the Dallas Museum of Art, immersing ourselves in the city’s art scene. For a unique experience, we would indulge in some mouthwatering Tex-Mex cuisine at a renowned restaurant. To round off the week, we would venture out for an exciting activity like kayaking on White Rock Lake, enjoying the picturesque views and active outdoor atmosphere.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
We would like to dedicate our shoutout to our former high school debate coach, Coach Compton. She played a pivotal role in shaping our passion for public speaking and debate, instilling in us the belief that effective communication skills are essential for personal and academic growth. Her unwavering support, guidance, and mentorship paved the way for our journey with Lingua Speech Academy. We are also grateful for the support and encouragement of our families, friends, and the community who have believed in our vision and contributed to our success. Their unwavering support has been instrumental in the growth and impact of Lingua Speech Academy.

Instagram: @linguaspeechacademy

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lingua-speech-academy/

Other: Email: linguaspeech@gmail.com