Chan Ming Yang Is Shaping Asia’s Future Leaders Through Communication and Courage
- Brainz Magazine
- Oct 22
- 5 min read
Updated: Oct 23
Brainz Magazine Exclusive Interview
Chan Ming Yang is an inspiring educator, entrepreneur, and public speaking coach passionate about helping young people discover their voice and confidence. Through his innovative communication and leadership programs, he has empowered thousands of students to speak boldly, think critically, and lead with heart. Ming Yang believes that when individuals learn to express themselves authentically, they unlock the power to create meaningful change in their lives and communities.
What inspired you to start Speech Academy Asia?
I started Speech Academy Asia because I saw a silent epidemic in classrooms — brilliant children who couldn’t express themselves. They had ideas, imagination, and intelligence, but when asked to speak, they froze.
In schools, we spend years teaching children what to think, but almost no time teaching them how to express what they think. That gap — between potential and communication — is where confidence is lost.
I wanted to change that. I envisioned a place where every child could discover that their voice matters — where confidence isn’t something you’re born with, but something you train like a muscle. Speech Academy Asia was born out of that belief. It began as a small enrichment program and grew into a nationwide movement — now training thousands of children to not only speak with confidence, but to lead with conviction.
Our mission has always been simple: “to transform children from passive learners into active communicators — ready for the real world.”
How would you describe your teaching philosophy in just a few words?
“Confidence through experience, not instruction.” We don’t lecture students about confidence — we let them experience it. Our philosophy is built on action-based learning.
From the very first class, children stand up, move, speak, and engage in real scenarios. They role-play as news anchors, storytellers, debaters, or even entrepreneurs pitching ideas. When a child experiences the thrill of being heard — that spark of applause or recognition — their mindset shifts. Fear turns into excitement. Doubt turns into pride.
Our approach blends emotional intelligence, creativity, and leadership. We help children understand that confidence is not perfection — it’s the courage to express yourself authentically, even when you’re nervous. In a few words: “We don’t build speakers. We build confident thinkers.”
What makes your approach to public speaking training unique?
Most public speaking programs teach techniques — voice projection, gestures, and eye contact. We go beyond performance; we train personality transformation. Our methodology blends psychology, performance arts, and entrepreneurship. We believe public speaking is not just about presentation — it’s about presence.
Here’s what makes us different:
Psychology-Driven Curriculum – rooted in behavioural science and Neuro Somatics™, we help children rewire their emotional responses to stress and fear.
Performance Arts Integration – speech & drama techniques help them express creatively, not mechanically.
Monthly Showcases – every child presents on stage; parents witness tangible growth every term.
Our goal is not just eloquence. It’s real-world readiness — children who can speak, lead, and think critically in any environment, from school to future boardrooms.
Can you explain how methods like Neuro Somatics™ help students build confidence?
Neuro Somatics™ is the science behind how body movement affects the brain’s emotional state. We’ve adapted it for children to reprogram their fight-or-flight responses during public speaking. When a child feels nervous — their heart races, hands shake, voice trembles — it’s not weakness, it’s the body reacting to fear. Through Neuro Somatics™, we teach them to:
Recognize these physical cues
Use posture, breathwork, and movement to regain calm and focus
Anchor positive emotional states before stepping on stage
It’s a neuroscience-backed way of turning anxiety into energy. The result? Children don’t just look confident — their nervous system feels confident. This approach creates sustainable, lifelong composure. It’s why even our youngest students can perform confidently in front of hundreds — not through memorization, but through mental conditioning. We often say, “We don’t eliminate stage fright. We teach children to dance with it.”
How do you measure success or progress among your students?
Confidence isn’t an exam subject — you can’t score it on paper. But you can see it. You can feel it. We measure progress through three key dimensions:
Stage Performance Milestones – Every student delivers a live showcase every term. Parents witness how posture, clarity, and expression improve.
Confidence Scorecards – Trainers assess growth in voice, creativity, and emotional expression, giving parents personalized feedback.
Leadership Activation – Students who were once quiet begin volunteering to host, lead discussions, or mentor younger peers.
We also monitor emotional indicators: willingness to participate, eye contact, laughter frequency, initiative in group discussions. In essence, success = visibility of growth — when parents say, “My child speaks with joy now.” That’s the measure that matters most.
What challenges do students usually face when learning public speaking, and how do you help them overcome these?
The three most common challenges are:
Fear of Judgment – “What if people laugh at me?”
Perfection Paralysis – “What if I make a mistake?”
Lack of Emotional Connection – speaking like a robot, not a storyteller.
We tackle these through an ecosystem of support:
Safe Learning Space – no student is ever mocked or corrected harshly. Mistakes are celebrated as part of growth.
Gamified Confidence Drills – drama games, spontaneous roleplay, and story battles train quick thinking and courage.
Neuro Somatics™ Training – resets fear response through body awareness.
Empathy Coaching – we teach kids to connect emotionally with their audience, not just deliver lines.
When a student realizes that the audience isn’t judging — they’re listening — everything changes. The moment they hear applause, confidence becomes addictive. That’s the turning point we create.
What is your vision for the future of Speech Academy Asia?
Our vision is to build Asia’s first global communication and innovation institute for youth — where every child learns not only how to speak, but how to create, lead, and influence. We are expanding our framework to integrate entrepreneurship, media training, and global collaboration. Children will not just deliver speeches — they will:
Produce short-form video pitches and creative storytelling content
Work with mentors from business, media, and education sectors
Build global confidence portfolios — photos, videos, and achievements that open opportunities beyond school walls
We are designing a world where public speaking is not an enrichment skill, but a life skill — as fundamental as literacy. In the long term, we aim for global recognition — establishing Speech Academy Asia as the gold standard in communication education. We want our graduates to be the next generation of TEDx speakers, innovators, social leaders, and changemakers.
Our ultimate goal: To make confidence a global language — spoken by every child, everywhere.
Closing Quote for Global Media:
“Speech Academy Asia isn’t just an academy. It’s a movement — empowering a generation of young voices who will lead, innovate, and inspire the world.”
