Creative & Non-Academic— 4 Courses
Beyond the classroom — build confidence, creativity and life skills through 1:1 online tutoring. From creative writing and public speaking to chess strategy and lightning-fast Vedic Maths. Available in Australia, UK, USA and worldwide.
Creative & Non-Academic
Build Confidence & Creativity — Age 6 to 16
Four individual 1:1 courses that develop skills schools often don't have time for. Join any course at any time — no prior experience needed.
Creative Writing
All Levels🌐Available worldwide: Fully software-based. Suitable for any student aged 8–16 regardless of country or school system.
Unlock your child's imagination and self-expression. Students learn to craft compelling stories, poems and scripts — developing voice, structure and vocabulary that strengthen academic writing too. A confidence-builder for reluctant writers and a launchpad for budding authors.
- Story structure — beginning, middle, end and story arcs
- Character creation — building believable, memorable characters
- Descriptive language — imagery, metaphor and the five senses
- Dialogue & voice — making characters speak naturally
- Poetry & wordplay — rhythm, rhyme and free verse
- Editing & redrafting — turning a first draft into a polished piece
- Publishing project — creating a finished story or poetry collection
Learning Outcomes:Students write, edit and complete original creative pieces with confidence, applying narrative techniques and literary devices that also lift their school English performance.
Public Speaking
All Levels🌐Available worldwide: Fully software-based. The dual-camera classroom is ideal for rehearsing delivery and body language with live tutor feedback.
Help your child speak with confidence — in class, on stage and in life. Students learn to structure talks, control nerves, project their voice and engage an audience. One of the most valuable life skills, built through supportive 1:1 practice and constructive feedback.
- Speech structure — openings, key messages and strong endings
- Vocal technique — pace, pause, projection and emphasis
- Body language — posture, gesture and eye contact
- Managing nerves — practical confidence-building strategies
- Persuasive & impromptu speaking — thinking on your feet
- Storytelling — using narrative to connect with an audience
- Final presentation — deliver a polished 3–5 minute speech
Learning Outcomes:Students plan and deliver structured, engaging presentations with confidence, clear vocal delivery and strong stage presence — skills that transfer to school, interviews and beyond.
Chess
Beginner to Advanced🌐Available worldwide: Played on a shared online board. Suitable for complete beginners through to tournament players, any country.
More than a game — chess builds focus, patience, planning and problem-solving. Students progress from the basic rules to opening theory, tactics and endgame strategy, guided 1:1 by a coach who adapts to their level. Great for developing concentration and logical thinking.
- The rules — piece movement, check, checkmate and special moves
- Opening principles — controlling the centre and developing pieces
- Tactics — forks, pins, skewers and discovered attacks
- Strategy — pawn structure, piece activity and planning
- Endgame technique — checkmating patterns and king-and-pawn endings
- Game analysis — reviewing your own games to improve
- Tournament preparation — clock management and competitive play
Learning Outcomes:Students play confident, thoughtful chess — recognising tactical patterns, planning ahead and analysing their games. Many progress to club and tournament play.
Vedic Maths
All Levels🌐Available worldwide: Fully software-based. A brilliant complement to any school maths curriculum, in any country.
Mental maths superpowers. Vedic Maths is a system of fast calculation techniques that lets students multiply, divide and solve problems in their head — often faster than a calculator. Builds number confidence, sharpens mental agility and makes school maths feel easy.
- Fast addition & subtraction — mental shortcuts and complements
- Rapid multiplication — the Vedic "vertically and crosswise" method
- Multiplying by 11, 12 and special numbers instantly
- Quick division techniques
- Squares, cubes and square roots in seconds
- Checking answers — the digit-sum verification method
- Speed drills — building accuracy and confidence under time
Learning Outcomes:Students perform fast, accurate mental calculations using Vedic techniques, gaining number confidence that makes school maths and exams noticeably easier.
Why Families Choose Smavy for Creative & Life Skills
Dual Camera Classroom
For public speaking and chess, our tutors see both the student's face and their workspace or board — giving feedback on body language, delivery or moves in real time, just like an in-person coach.
Confidence-First Coaching
These courses are about building self-belief as much as skill. The 1:1 format means a nervous child can take risks, make mistakes and grow in a supportive, judgement-free space.
Skills That Transfer
Creative writing lifts school English, public speaking helps with class presentations and interviews, chess sharpens focus, and Vedic Maths makes calculation effortless. Every course pays dividends in the classroom.
What Parents Say About Our Creative & Life Skills Tutors
“My son used to dread class presentations. After a term of Smavy public speaking he volunteered to MC the school assembly. The change in his confidence is remarkable.”
“The coach adapts perfectly to my daughter's level. She's gone from learning the rules to winning her first school tournament in six months. She adores her sessions.”
“My daughter can now multiply large numbers in her head faster than I can type them. Her school maths grades jumped and she actually enjoys numbers now.”
Common Questions About Creative & Non-Academic Courses
No — all four courses welcome complete beginners. Chess and Vedic Maths also support more advanced students. Our tutors assess the right starting level during the free trial session.
Chess starts from age 6; Creative Writing, Public Speaking and Vedic Maths from age 8. All four run up to age 16. Because they're 1:1, content is always tailored to your child's age and ability.
They're enrichment courses rather than school subjects — but each one strengthens academic skills. Creative Writing boosts English, Public Speaking helps with presentations, Chess builds focus, and Vedic Maths makes school maths faster and easier.
Yes — all four courses are curriculum-independent and available worldwide. Students in Singapore, UAE, India, New Zealand, Canada and everywhere else can enrol.
Start a Creative Course Free Trial Per Subject.
Book a free 1-hour introductory session. Our tutor will recommend the right starting point and get your child engaged from session one.