<p>I'm not a very good public speaker but of course for interviews for grad school and jobs, they need someone that's social and outgoing and has good people skills.</p>
<p>What can I do to become my public speaking skills? I Just need up talking too fast and stutter when I'm nervous or excited. I need to calm down but I keep forgetting. Also, I have so many thoughts in my head, so when I want to say something, it doesn't come out the way I want it too. It becomes like jumbled. I'm not good at thinking on my feet. How can I improve? </p>
<p>Did anyone use any books, materials, programs, classes that helped them?</p>
<p>Practice practice and practice…not formally neccessarily but practice. Many campuses offer drama for non-majors. Sign up for a production and even if you don’t get a speaking part you may get the opportunity to address the cast as a stage manager or something. Your user name indicates that you are a writer so taking seminar classes where you have to speak up should be easy for you. Start a club and make yourself the leader or seek out leadership opportunities where you have totalk to groups of people. Volunteer in discussion sections and study groups. The more you do it the easier it becomes.</p>
<p>Many students return to the high school where I teach after graduation to talkto students about their college experiences. Contact your Guidance cousnselor and see if that is an option open to you. Just look for ways to put yourself in front of people talking and it will happen.</p>
<p>no magic pill for this that I know about but try to fake it till you make it. Write S L O W on the top of note cards and there is no need to do all of this at once. Find what works for you and practice.</p>
<p>Try joining speech and debate - great EC and helps with public speaking skills. </p>
<p>I used to be a shy, soft-spoken kid, but after being forced to think on my feet during debates, I learned how to speak more clearly, and with more articulation. </p>
<p>Also, try finding a job, or a volunteer position where you interact a lot with adults. This helps you “mature” your speaking habits and lets you observe how adults and “Experienced speakers” communicate with each other. Also, if you are around people more, you tend to be more comfortable with whoever, wherever you are, and that way, you can somewhat alleviate the nervousness.</p>
<p>I took a summer class on Public Speaking. The book we read was called “The Natural Speaker”, by Randy Fujishin. It is extremely helpful and a great reference before making any speeches.
Advice for making speeches/giving reports in a classroom setting is to remember that everyone else is probably making similar speeches too. They understand how difficult or easy the speech is, based on requirements, and are probably just as nervous. Have some sort of passion and understanding for what you are saying… it will distinguish you from other people in that you appear to know what you’re talking about (making it more interesting), and it’s easier to say something if you blank out on memorization.
My teacher always emphasized good posture, but don’t be a stiff speech deliverer. Look around the room, but not directly into people’s eyes because that can make both of you uncomfortable.</p>
<p>Basically… relax! <em>Act</em> like you know what you’re doing. Understand your speech, don’t just memorize. And practice a lot… to anyone and anything. Try different ways to say things.</p>
<p>Practice in informal situations. The time you’re at the counter picking up your order of food…that’s an opportunity to work on your public speaking.</p>
<p>You know public speaking has nothing to do with interviews and class presentations, those are formal situations of public speaking. Public speaking consists of informal situations as well. Just practice</p>
<p>Take a public speaking course or a communications course. This may embarrass you, but you’ll be surprised at just how many people have problems talking in front of class, being put on the spot, etc.</p>
<p>I think the best advice has already been given, practice and remember that there are a lot of people in your shoes. Maybe consider joining some sort of a club or maybe take a public speaking class. First thing that comes to my mind is Toastmasters, they have chapters everywhere. Also, try to attend the numerous free events that feature speakers around your school and maybe jot down or take mental notes of things that you liked and disliked about the speaker. This will allow you to pull together the “best” things about each one and you could then try to initiate it into your own speech. </p>
<p>A lot of classes (at least in my major, which is business) require you to do presentations, be it with a group or by yourself, so it is a nice skill to acquire. </p>
<p>Also, here is a piece of advice that I learned in one of my classes: if you have a way of taping yourself, do it. Then just replay it and pay attention to things you could improve on, such as posture, nervous gestures, speaking too fast or too quiet. If you do not have a way of doing that, prepare a short 3-5 minute speech about a topic that interests you and ask to perform it in front of a friend (hopefully someone who you consider a good speaker and someone you can trust). Ask them to wait until you are completely finished and then give you pointers. Just try your best not to be nervous and good luck!</p>
<p>I have the same issue. I’ve never been an eloquent speaker, and I don’t interview that well (even though I know what I am supposed to say/do…I just seem to get it all jumbled in my head because I tend to overthink things). Things that have made me more confident in my speaking abilities…definitely practice is key. Getting a job (especially in customer service) and participating in community service is one way. I found that I spoke a lot clearer over the years mainly because I simply read books to my little brother all the time. Instead of stuttering over my words, I got used to hearing myself speak in a clear and coherent matter. It sort-of reflected once I needed to speak in a more formal, public setting. Also, try being a teacher (of any random thing) to your friends or family. An easy way to get yourself more confident about a subject is by trying to teach it. If you can come up with what you want to say to who you are teaching, then you perhaps are able to say it clearly in a more public setting.</p>
<p>I have the same problem. I overexcite myself with public speaking. I agree with fa la la lena. Reading a book out loud, even a textbook when you’re studying (might help you remember the info too!), helps with clarity and to slooooow down.</p>
<p>take an intro to public speaking class. reading a book won’t do that much for you because everything completely changes when it comes to getting in front of an audience and actually completing the task. i think a book is good in giving you some quick tips but you need to get that audience experience.</p>