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Answers to Readers' Questions on Getting Good Grades
Speak with Confidence
The following 29 comments and questions have been sent in. They are listed according to date.
List of first 10 items
- Considering giving a speech in front of the whole school
- Others say they can barely hear me
- Must give speech about friend but am nervous
- Unable to speak in class
- Lack confidence in speaking to class
- Get nervous when other students look at me
- Speaking at my brother's wedding
- Am deaf but want to speak confidently
- Doing an article on speaking
- Sometimes mess up when giving a speech
Considering giving a speech in front of the whole school
Question
October 27, 2009
i've always felt like saying something in front of the whole in the hall but i remember this one time i was on stage at first people said we can't here and i got really nervous and then i said an number in a sort of british ascent and people laughed. should i consider doing a speech in front of the whole school?
carlton - Zimbabwe
18580
Answer
Before considering doing a speech in front of the whole school, you need to have something specific to say and have practiced giving the talk to smaller groups.
It is good that you are able to make people laugh, so you can't include humor in your message. Since you would be giving a talk in front of the whole school, you do not want to have too much humor, because then it will become entertainment.
Concentrating on speaking clearly and enunciating your words will help people to hear you, especially if you do not have a microphone.
Write up a short speech and start looking for opportunities to give it to others. When your confidence is up, and give that speech to the school.
Best wishes in becoming a champion speaker.
Others say they can barely hear me
Question
October 7, 2009
whenever I get up in front of the class I always speak in a very low voice, so people have a hard time hearing me. when Im up there I think that im being pretty loud but when I get feedback from other people they say that they can barely hear me. what are some tips that you could give me so that i could speak loudly and clearly?
Cheyenne - USA
18452
Answer
I used to make a note to myself saying, "Open your mouth" to remind me not to mumble but to try to enunciate my words clearly, so that the audience will understand me.
Practice speaking to a mirror, trying to carefully enunciating your words, so that they would be clearly understood. It is not talking loud that is important but talking clearly. The volume will come out naturally.
I hope that idea helps you do well in your next speech.
Must give speech about friend but am nervous
Question
September 16, 2009
Hello Sir,
I am soon going to have to give a speech to my whole class about my best friend (just a warm up kind of speech) and i am so terrified. Whenever I have to talk to some one I don't know or if i have to talk out loud to people in the class my whole face turns BRIGHT red and i don't even feel it, rarely I can notice when it starts. Then my hands start to sweat and my hands get sweaty and i begin to stutter. I need help on what to do and maybe if that helps me with my speech it will help me with talking to knew people.
Please help me I don't know what else to do.
-Thank you so much.
O.D - USA
18324
Answer
Giving a speech about a friend is much easier than trying to give a speech about some subject where you have to memorize the material. I am sure you have some stories about experiences you have had with your friend that you've told others.
List three short stories about your friend, especially ones that are funny. Practice telling them a few times, talking out loud to yourself. Time the speech, so it is not too long. Then give it to some friends, your parents or such. This will give you confidence in the speech and is almost like giving it to your class.
When it is your turn to give the speech in class, take your time before you start to show you are in charge. Look directly to some friend near the front row and start giving your speech to your friend. Once you get going, you can start to look around at the other students.
With this preparation, you will not be as nervous. Think ahead of time of everyone enjoying your speech and block out thoughts of nervousness. This should do the trick.
Best wishes on giving a great speech. I know you can do it.
Unable to speak in class
Question
July 24, 2009
sir sorry for disturbing you
my problem is that i am bms student and unable to speak in the class .
i know the things teacher asked but how to give reply .there is fearness in my mind about how the class feel .please give proper solution to this problem .i really gratefull to you . sir also tell about how to give attractive presentation . i know the english language and able to speak (littlebit problem).
thanku for your cooperation
anurag - India, Mumbai
18056
Answer
Speaking in class when the teacher asks a question is important, because it shows to the teacher that you know the subject. Those who answer the teacher's questions often get better grades.
The reason you hesitate to speak in class is that you fear some students will make fun of you or that you will look foolish to them. But remember that you are trying to impress the teacher and not the other students. If you can give good answers with confidence, then the other students will soon start to respect your knowledge.
When the teacher asks a question, concentrate on the teacher as if there were no other students in the room. The teacher is the only important person. The teacher is the one who gives you the grades. The other students don't, so ignore them. This takes some practice, but it also will help in that you will listen better.
Sometimes a teacher will help if you can tell the teacher about worrying about speaking in class. You may get some encouragement. Also, sometimes a good friend can give you encouragement.
Once you answer the teacher's questions a few times, you will get better at it. Practice makes perfect.
To give a presentation to the class, you need to practice it many times in front of family or friends. Again, practice is important.
I hope this helps you gain confidence in speaking in class.
Lack confidence in speaking to class
Question
March 7, 2009
Thank you for good tips I am from pakistan. I have another problem regarding this. I go to an english academy. On every friday the students one by one speak something infront of the class. Somd boys are confident. And some are a bit nervous. They come infront of the class and say some words. But i have no confident. i can not stand infront of them. Even i can not say that i can not speak. At that time i become very hesitated and the fellows look at me and i become nervous. I also have problems in daily life because of lack of confidence. Please tell me what is the problem with me and how to over come it.
Zain - Pakistan
17404
Answer
Just like an entertainer practices or rehearses before a performance, you should plan out what you will say and practice it to some friends or even to yourself in the mirror. This will reduce your nervousness, because you are more sure of what you will say.
Another good trick is to start your talk with a question. You could ask, "How many of you like soccer?" Some will raise their hands. Then you can talk about soccer or say, "Watching a soccer game reminds me of..." and so on. Of course, you need to change the question each time, but it is a good start and can make your short talk a little fun.
The more you succeed in speaking, the better you get and the greater your confidence. But you also need to give yourself encouragement. After you speak, tell yourself, "Good job. And next time I'll do even better."
In other things in life, recognize the good things you do and acknowledge them to yourself. This increases your confidence, because confidence is just knowing or thinking you can do something well.
I hope these ideas help you do well in speaking in front of your class. I know you will start improving your confidence, because you have what it takes.
Get nervous when other students look at me
Question
January 3, 2009
when i stand in front of the class my hands sweat and a i shake. i find it hard when they all look at you. if i was in the dark and i couldnt see them it would be easier.
Flora - United Kingdom
17042
Answer
Realize that they are looking at you because they are interested in what you have to say. That is a very powerful position to be in. But it still can make you nervous, especially if you're worried about making a mistake.
One thing you can do is to address your speech to some friend in the audience. Just look at that person and start to talk as if you are in a conversation. Once you get relaxed, you can start to look at some of the other students.
I hope this idea helps.
Speaking at my brother's wedding
Question
April 6, 2008
I'M GIVING A SPEECH AT MY BROTHERS WEDDING. I'M LOOKING FOR MATERIAL TO TRY TO STAY CALM. I HAVE A SPEECH WRITTEN DOWN AND PRACTICE IT OFTEN. THE WEDDING ISN'T UNTIL JUNE BUT I WANT TO BE AS PREPARED AS POSSIBLE WHEN THE TIME COMES. I HAVE READ IT IN FRONT OF A COUPLE OF MY FRIENDS AND THEY THINK IT IS GREAT. I'M AN OUTGOING PERSON THAT DOES NOT HAVE A HARD TIME TALKING TO PEOPLE BUT I JUST WANT TO REPRESENT MY FAMILY AND OBVIOUSLY MY BROTHER IN A CONFIDENT WAY. ANY ADVISE WOULD BE GREAT.
THANKS
MICHAEL - USA
15676
Answer
It's a good idea to outline the major points you want to make in your speech. Whether you say that way in the exact words that you had written doesn't matter, because no one will know the difference. The big thing is not to try to impress people but try to speak from the heart.
One thing to remember is that in such an occasion a short speech is much better than a long one. Even if your mind went blank when you were going to give this speech, you could just say something like, "Hey, you're the best brother in the world, and I wish you two the best."
At the wedding reception, when it is your turn to get up and talk, take three deep breaths before you leave your chair to relax you, and then count to 10 yourself before speaking to allow the audience to get settled. And don't be afraid to bring up notes to refer to.
I am sure you're going to do fine and will give your brother a good send-off.
Am deaf but want to speak confidently
Question
October 25, 2007
i am deaf and cochlear. i need speech theaphy and some practice speak and words more. i want sound hear words anything.
Radeyah - USA
14639
Answer
Do you mean that you have a cochlear implant? If so, you may still need speech therapy to speak effectively.
Careful pronunciation of words is important. One method to practice is to play parts of a recording of someone speaking clearly and then try to speak those words yourself. Record what you say and then listen to how it sounds.
Of course, this all depends on your level of hearing.
When speaking to a group or even other individuals, your goal is to communicate your thoughts. Tell the audience to have patience with you and that you will try to speak slowly and clearly. The effect of that is to concentrate on your own pronunciation.
Doing an article on speaking
Question
January 22, 2007
hi my name is elizabeth. i'm in the 8th grade we have to do an article to write about even though i'm not one of the kids but i also know that alot of kids struggle everyday with fears of speaking in front of people. i'm emailing you so i can ask if you have more research or more tips so i can have more information on my article percents or anything will be greatly appreiciated thank you and hope to hear from you soon.
Elizabeth - USA
12934
Answer
See our section on public speaking. There are a number of lessons where you can get some good ideas for your article.
http://www.school-for-champions.com/speaking.htm
Sometimes mess up when giving a speech
Question
January 10, 2007
I wanted to ask a question about me giving a speech in class. Am in college and am taking a class on public speaking, but am kind of afriad. The reason is that I tend to go over my words, or I stop in the middle of reading or giving a speech and I start to painc. Then I just keep going knowing that I messed up. The teacher I have is a pain so dont want to mess up. How can not mess up?
David - USA
12787
Answer
Obviously, practice several times before giving the speech in class. Use a tape recorder to pressure you into not stopping during the practice.
If your teacher would allow you to use an outline or 3x5 cards, they are good to have just in case you lose your train of thought. Also, writing down key points on the board during the speech makes it more interesting and helps your memory.
Finally, realize that no one really knows what you were going to say, so if you mess up, just keep going and don't worry about it until it is over.
Another thing to try is to bring up a cup of water with you to the front. when you stop, you can take a sip of water "to overcome dryness in your throat." This is a good excuse and allows you to get back to the material.
I hope these ideas help, and best wishes in your speech.
Summary
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