Lamda classes

[Malamalik]

Any one can explain what is lamda? Benefits for girls? Importance for University? My daughter is in year 7

[Lonecatwithkitten]

Lamda is a performing arts examine board there are various different types of Lamda exams including public speaking, acting (monologue and duologue) and musical theatre. So the benefits depend on which exam they are being entered for.
My daughter does acting (duologue) and musical theatre - but she intends to pursue a performing arts career.
Acting duologue requires her to work with someone else and in addition to learning the piece she has have a thorough knowledge of the play.

[Lonecatwithkitten]

Apologies for the bad spelling. I also wanted to add that Grade 6 and above count for UCAS points if the qualification is relevant for the degree you are applying for.
So DD has a Grade 6 Acting with D this is worth 12 points, she is waiting for a Grade 8 if she was to get a merit it would be worth 27 points, but will cancel the points from the lower qualification.

[SuperLoudPoppingAction]

I did 'speaking of verse and prose' - not sure if it still exists.

I'm the only one in my staff team who can cope with public speaking. I don't even think about it. I'm not in any way confident or outgoing but knowing the techniques needed to project your voice means I just do it without worrying.

[LolaSmiles]

Other posters have covered what it is, but I just wanted to add that the reason for taking it is because of the growth it offers to the student.

Sometimes things like LAMDA, music exams, DofE etc get bundled up into a "useful for university" tick box when the real benefits in terms of personal growth, confidence, resilience, reflection, interpersonal skills etc only develop as much as the student is genuinely interested in the enrichment opportunities.

She's year 7. She should be exploring a range of enrichment opportunities and trying them out to see what interests her and where her talents lie, not having anyone directing her extra curricular based on what university might like 7 years later.

[reluctantbrit]

DD does Lamda exams via her performing arts school, she currently works on Grade 3 which will be a poem and an extract from a book. She so far did duologue forGrade 1 and two monologue for Grade2

She loves it. BUt she loves Drama classes in general. Her school does Drama as a subject once a week, it can be a GCSE subject and her teacher recommends the exams if a pupil can do them via their outside performing arts schools as the secondary does not cater for it.

It gives not only confidence in public speaking, DD also has to work with the text and the characters, thinking about their behaviour, motives and feelings, all this goes well with English Lit classes.

No idea if they will count for anything or are good for a university application. They can be good for the child itself and self estime. If she likes this kind of activity I would give it a try.

[UrsulaPandress]

Dd did them.

She visited the Ann Frank museum a couple of weeks ago and saw the window that featured in an extract from the diaries that she had learnt for an exam.

Ripples in the pond.

[NewModelArmyMayhem18]

DS did it all the way through secondary school. He talks very quickly and doesn't enunciate very clearly, so we thought it would help his speech, his confidence and be good for his UCAS application.

He got to Silver Medal level with a total mix of passes, merits and distinctions - make of that what you will! I think it was good for him in many ways but it hasn't really had the desired impact on his speech and as he opted to do something entirely unrelated for his UCAS application, it wasn't relevant to it.

It was quite expensive (well the exams were!) and hasn't left him with a keen interest in drama (not yet anyway!), so the jury is out on whether it was worthwhile really.

DD on the other hand has more of a natural aptitude and would love for her to have the opportunity. Unfortunately, it's not offered via her school.

[Malamalik]

Thanks all so much,
But for University, if she wants science, engineering or biomedical school, does lamda has a benifit in acceptance. I am new to England so I don’t know. I am now convinced it improves her personality but I need to know also about uni

[worriedaboutmygirl]

It's not really a big deal I don't think for UCAS. It shows another string to their bow but won't make or break an application.

[Cuddlysnowleopard]

DS does LAMDA, but purely because he had got himself in such a tizz talking to adults, I was worried how he'd cope at secondary. Been amazing for him, definitely given him skills and confidence.

I know it counts for UCAS points for some subjects, but I think it really depends on what subject. DS wants to do something economics/politics related, so probably not. We're not bothered about that, though.

[reluctantbrit]

She still has 7 years before uni (6 before applying). Not only can a lot change about admission but also she may only do a year or two and then stop or go into a subject LAMDA doesn't count at all.

If she wants to do it because she would enjoy it or you think it could benefit her for anthying else do encourage her. But purely because it may look good on a uni application - no.

[LolaSmiles]

Again, do things because they will help her be a more confident, well rounded person. Do it if it is something she willll enjoy.

She's got 7 years until university. It sounds like you're taking quite a pushy approach by having potential subjects lined up and vetting enrichment based on whether it will help get her in.

[Lonecatwithkitten]

LAMDA will not provide points towards science based degree courses. However, it will illustrate confidence in public speaking if she apply to universities/departments who read personal statements or who look for the rounded individual.

[LolaSmiles]

lonecat
If the course takes based on UCAS tarrif points then all points count towards the offer.

If they are asking for grades as an offer then the LAMDA won't count.

[Malamalik]

Thanks all for the great help

[pguru]

Hello everyone, I am exploring kids public speaking and came across lamda communication exams . Please let me know how to start with preparation for these exams. Can this be done via parent coaching or should the kids be trained with a teacher. If anyone has done these exams, pls let me know how and where to start with. My son is in year 3 and I would like to start from the basics(Entry level E3).
Thanks.

[NewModelArmyMayhem18]

DS did it from Yrs 7 - 12 (think he got to Silver medal stage). We did it to give him confidence and to try to improve his diction (he doesn't speak very clearly). I'm not sure it worked but I do feel it was good for him to do something extra-curricular that he enjoyed, at a school full of very high-achievers.

[Lonecatwithkitten]

I see LAMDA as like music lessons to get really good grades you need a specialist teacher. DD has a different teacher for acting to musical theatre each specialists in their own genre.
The criteria are quite specific and a specialist will help ensure they the child is working towards what the marking scheme is looking for.

[Dodgeitornot]

DD didn't last a full term and we wanted her to do it to help her speech. She hated it as she has memory issues and it made her really nervous remembering the lines. Her class was also big and some lessons she wouldn't so anything but watch.
I think it can be great for kids who like drama but are shy though.
DD does music and stage school now and enjoys that much more.

[BubblesBuddy]

My DDs did Lamda duologue. My elder DD is now a barrister and yes it was useful! She did it to grade 8 I think. Plus musical theatre.

However even if you want to be a scientist, having confidence to talk in public, give a presentation and explain your work and conclusions is such a good skill to have. Especially at work. Not helpful for university application though.

As part of her training DD attended a day course run by RADA. It was intended to help young Barristers with voice delivery they require in court. So avoidance of mumbling, confidence, clear voice and succinct points! They are useful skills for anyone!