Public Speaking
Why do people feel nervous when giving a speech to others?
Public speaking has always been one of the greatest challenges for anyone, especially those lacking practice. Like any interpersonal skill, being able to deliver a thorough yet captivating speech to a group of strangers requires certain factors. Reasons why most people fail, for me, fall into two main categories: the fear of the audience’s reaction and the topic itself. People are judgmental creatures and can criticize almost everything; therefore, presenters may suffer from the pressure of perfecting every detail. In addition, if someone is going to talk about a topic that is unfamiliar to them or too sophisticated for listeners, it is possibly not as well-received as one they know more about.
How can people improve their public speaking skills?
Thanks to the Internet, information is now disseminated worldwide and easily accessible, allowing anyone to get help with public speaking. There are several means to acquire and harness such skills, as long as people are willing, such as enrolling in an online course or participating in forums where people with the same goal gather and share their experiences. This is quite effective, flexible, and, most importantly, free of charge. If you want something more official and academic, talk to some experts in public speaking at conferences or workshops. They will provide you with more insights and tips to begin. Last but not least, practice makes perfect.
Can you suggest any methods to help reduce nervousness?
Each of us will surely experience the feeling of anxiety at least once in our lifetime. It can be before a job interview or big presentation, or when meeting your family-in-law for the first time. Nervousness could be a good sign since it shows that we care. However, to better perform at such life-changing events, you should control your feelings. Firstly, take a deep breath. You can’t be at your best without breathing easily. Second, don’t try to convince yourself that you’re not anxious. Accept it just like any other feeling, so you don’t have to keep reminding yourself to ignore it. Lastly, use positive self-talk. Encourage yourself and remember that you are in this place for a reason.
Is it good for people to visit schools and give a talk to children about different things?
As far as I’m concerned, it would be a valuable experience for children to hear real-life stories and personal insights from their predecessors who have been through ups and downs, providing useful lessons and advice. Nowadays, many schools invite guests, such as alumni or influential local figures, to talk to students. A child's life is like a piece of paper on which every person leaves a mark. Therefore, the sooner we sow a good seed and inspire them, the better they will grow.
What type of person is best suited to give a talk to a group of students?
Well, I see no special talents are needed to deliver a highly motivating and inspiring speech to students as long as their experiences and messages are relevant and meaningful. Hence, people who can grab students’ attention and make them question their goals and purposes are those leading an eventful life. By this, I mean someone who has related experiences and has been through ups and downs during their career to reach success. This is because I believe that if one has never tasted failures and disappointments, they can’t realize their inner strength to overcome setbacks and truly appreciate their success, which is what students should think about when they’re still in school.
When you give your speech, do you encounter any problems? Do you think some adults feel tension when they are giving a speech?
If you ask me, I would have to say that I often come up against some obstacles when preparing my speech as well as when the speech is in progress. In the process of preparation, I often have a hard time picking a topic that is relevant and can capture the interest of the audience. If you don’t, they might get fed up with the speech, and you end up conveying no messages at all to others. While giving a talk, I usually stammer and feel at a loss for words at times, which is a weakness that I’m trying to overcome.
What are the benefits of public speaking?
When a person successfully delivers a good speech, it gives a sense of self-worth. A positive response from the audience can help a person feel more confident. Thus, it can bring about a lot of improvement in one’s overall personality. Last but not least, the art of public speaking improves relationships. Once a person develops good public speaking skills, a marked improvement can be seen in their interpersonal skills, which in turn helps maintain healthy relationships with friends and family. Even in one’s professional life, effective interaction with one's boss, clients, or subordinates can enhance the possibility of advancement in their chosen profession.
Do you think colleges or high schools should ask some celebrities to communicate with the students?
If you ask me, I would frankly say that there should be times when public figures are invited to speak in front of students in schools. What I’m trying to say is that via their inspirational speeches, the youth can change their frame of mind, as they are quite impressionable by their idols. I recall a time when a celebrated top figure in my country volunteered to give a brief lecture at my university. Hundreds of students turned out to see him and were moved by the stories he shared.
Vocabulary:
Utmost (adj.): Greatest; most extreme.
Captivating (adj.): Taking all your attention; very attractive and interesting.
Judgmental (adj.): Judging people and criticizing them too quickly.
Cast aspersions on: To criticize someone or someone's character.
Sophisticated (adj.): Complicated.
Well-received (adj.): Getting a good reaction from people.
Disseminate (v.): To spread information, knowledge, etc. so that it reaches many people.
Accessible (adj.): That can be reached, entered, used, seen, etc.
Acquire (v.): To gain something by your own efforts, ability, or behavior.
Harness (v.): To control and use the force or strength of something to produce power or achieve something.
Nervousness (n.): The feeling of being anxious about something or afraid of something.
Life-changing (adj.): Having an effect that is strong enough to change someone's life.
Valuable (adj.): Very useful or important.
Predecessor (n.): A person who did a job before somebody else.
Ups and downs: The mixture of good and bad things in life or in a particular situation or relationship.
Alumni (n.): The former male and female students of a school, college, or university.
Influential (adj.): Having a lot of influence on somebody/something.
Motivate (v.): To be the reason why somebody does something or behaves in a particular way.
Inspiring (adj.): Exciting and encouraging you to do or feel something.
Relevant (adj.): Having ideas that are valuable and useful to people in their lives and work.
Setback (n.): A difficulty or problem that delays or prevents something or makes a situation worse.
Grab someone’s attention: To draw or attract someone's attention.
4o
Comments