This week people across Bermuda are enrolling in classes under the banner of the Community Education and Development Programme. The classes range from keep-fit to Customs clearance to carpentry for women. But as Lifestyle's Nancy Acton finds out, they also include one person's crusade for clear speaking.

Broadcaster Nell Bassett-Harris knows what she is talking about. Clear diction, correct pronunciation, good grammar and inflection are all hallmarks of the distinctive voice which has entertained listeners for 40 years.

Small wonder, then, that her hackles rise when she listens to the way so many of her fellow Bermudians speak — in fact, she not only sounds off on the subject during her regular VSB radio shows, but also begs them to get help.

"People don't open their mouths to speak properly," Mrs. Bassett-Harris said. "Bermudians have lazy mouths and tongues, and they need to exercise both to get their words out clearly."

People in public office, and particularly politicians, are among the worst offenders in her eyes.

"I just get so angry when they speak. They can't string two sentences together without sounding stupid, and it bothers me no end," she fumes.

In fact, Mrs. Bassett-Harris reveals that, while she has been working closely with a few public figures, who have shown marked improvement, there are so many Bermudians who need help with public speaking that she is to presenting a special course through the Community Education and Development programme called 'Elements of Charismatic Public Presentation'.

To be held at Clearwater Middle School from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesdays, participants will learn how to add personality, flair and charisma to their public speaking presentations. In addition to building confidence and attitude, the course will also include the topics dramatic exercises, breathing exercises, voice tune/monotones, microphone and presentation techniques.

Although anyone can benefit from this course, Mrs. Bassett-Harris is particularly anxious to help those in public office, "because they must, must, must be able to speak much better than they do now", she adds.

Defining what she calls 'voice tunes', the broadcaster says that, in speech, these are the highs and lows which emphasise words, as opposed to monotone speech.

"I hate monotones. They sound so awful. Voice tunes are very, very important." Anyone who has sat through someone droning their way through a dreary, monotone speech will agree.

Correct use of the microphone is another issue Mrs. Bassett-Harris will address.

"Speakers don't know that they have to be right in the mike, and if they move then they have to turn a little," she says. "There are so many nuances which are part of public speaking. If you don't do it right, the speech comes out poorly. I want to change people's perception of their voice and their speaking."

Asked how she learned to speak so well, Mrs. Bassett-Harris, whose professional career includes working for NBC and Bermuda Broadcasting Company, and who was known to many as 'Aunty Nell' when she hosted her own children's show in Bermuda, gives full credit to her father.

"From the time I was a little girl, he insisted that all six of his children speak correctly. If we said a word incorrectly, he would make us write it out dozens of times or we couldn't go swimming," she said.

• The course is $80 for the winter term. Registration ends on Friday and classes begin the week of January 19. For further registration and other information call the Warwick office on 236-0829, fax 236-1980, the Hamilton office on 292-7735, fax 236-7786 or St. George's office on 297-0007, fax 297-0386.