Deleted
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May 17, 2024 22:30:15 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 2, 2015 3:38:05 GMT
I taught a class of 300 adults for 3 hours a few years ago. I was so drained preparing for the event that by the time I put on the headset I wasn't nervous at all. As far as advice, idk, it's one of those things you're comfortable with or not. Xanax is my only suggestion.  |
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smginaz Suzy
Pearl Clutcher
Je suis desole.
Posts: 2,606
Jun 26, 2014 17:27:30 GMT
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Post by smginaz Suzy on May 2, 2015 3:49:25 GMT
I am good. I prepare key points, avoid slides, and have a good time.
If toastmasters is not the right solution for you, look into improv classes. That is a fun way to learn how to act and react in the moment.
I am in front of audiences of all kinds quite frequently, and although I am comfortable speaking without preparation, I know how much better I am with preparation. I was just invited to a meeting yesterday (allegedly as a guest) then my boss asked me to give a quick update to the (100+) attendees. It was just a 2-minute spiel, but as someone said, since I am passionate and know the subject, it was not difficult.
I am an introvert, for the record. Not shy, though.
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samantha25
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,909 
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Post by samantha25 on May 2, 2015 4:13:18 GMT
Being prepared is key and having a great presentation to guide you. I have learned and practiced to give good talks (science, PhD Molecular Biology), but there will always be a time where it doesn't flow or you'll stutter. Luckily, my time happened at a practice session with my colleagues. I broke down and had to leave the room. I never did recover, but did ok at the actual event.
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Post by betty on May 2, 2015 5:37:26 GMT
I do ok.
I don't like it but I've practiced and practiced in the past to just get through it, so now I can do it without so much practicing and still pull it off.
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Post by ntsf on May 2, 2015 5:40:00 GMT
I was a professional...I actually studied interpretation (think tours) in college and worked as an interpreter for the national park service. led groups around historic sites. I found it was helpful to have a lot more knowledge than I actually spoke about..so I had my main points..but could support tangents with stories and knowledge. I gave presentations to groups up to several hundred people...from 5 to 90. I teach classes and have no real fear of public speaking.
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Post by ntsf on May 2, 2015 5:40:17 GMT
I was a professional...I actually studied interpretation (think tours) in college and worked as an interpreter for the national park service. led groups around historic sites. I found it was helpful to have a lot more knowledge than I actually spoke about..so I had my main points..but could support tangents with stories and knowledge. I gave presentations to groups up to several hundred people...from 5 to 90. I teach classes and have no real fear of public speaking.
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Post by julieinsweden on May 2, 2015 7:14:12 GMT
Been a member of Toastmasters for 15 years. I'd recommend joining a group to anyone who needs to develop their skills. There are even clubs for kids.
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AllieC
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,057
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Post by AllieC on May 2, 2015 7:39:03 GMT
Yes I believe I am. It is a key part of my job and my colleagues say my role is perfect for me - I get paid to talk for a living LOL. I deliver legal education presentations to community groups, schools and workplaces on topics such as Australian Consumer Law, Sexting and the Law, Wills and Powers of Attorney, Buying a Car etc. I love it I've had jobs where it was a small part of my job and I did quite well but I think the key is preparation, knowing your topic well and doing it often. I do have prepared slides however I often don't use them or I just have key points listed and then ad-lib the rest. Reading the audience is important too. I think if you want to improve your public speaking (general you), going to some training is a good idea as well as getting as much practice as possible in. The best training I've was run by two long time actors. It got so many good tips and they were fabulous in giving even the most tentative speakers the confidence to get out there and do it. |
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cycworker
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,375
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Post by cycworker on May 2, 2015 7:41:40 GMT
I was asked to speak at a small gathering of corporate people and while it went okay, I wasn't entirely comfortable and I know it showed. I used to teach Scrapbooking classes locally and at large conventions without problems...I've wrangled scout groups and their parents... How do you improve as a public speaker when it's not something you get to do very often? See if there is a toastmaster's club near you. That way you have a place to do public speaking so you can improve. It is one of those skills you have to keep doing to keep the skills sharp. Even people who are naturally good at it will have bad days if they go long periods without needing to make a presentation. This. I did Toastmasters & it was the best thing I have ever done. I do not regret the investment at all. I have noticed that, as Volt says, not having had to use those skills for quite a while, I have gotten rusty. As I now am in a role where I do need to be able to speak in public (I got elected to office here - school board), I am considering a return. |
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Post by JoP on May 2, 2015 9:27:08 GMT
I do okay if I practice and I'm knowledgeable about the subject matter.
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Post by heartcat on May 2, 2015 9:40:07 GMT
Not at all! It is one of my least favourite things to do. I do not like to be the centre of attention, no matter how much I know about something, or how well I would be able to express myself in written form. Having all eyes on me makes me want to flee a situation. I get nervous, sweat, red in the face and stutter. Thankfully I have not had a reason to even attempt to do so in decades.
I envy people who can get up in front of others and express themselves in a confident, engaging manner.
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Post by Merge on May 2, 2015 10:56:56 GMT
Well, I speak in public for a living, so ...
I am much more comfortable speaking to kids than to adults, but I do just fine with adults.
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tuesdaysgone
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,832
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Post by tuesdaysgone on May 2, 2015 11:07:28 GMT
I'm proabably like a lot of educators; I'm in fine form in front of 30+ kids, but I HATE having to get up and make a presentation in faculty meeting. It gives me such anxiety! I've worked with these colleagues for ten years and have great conversations with them as individuals every day, but to speak to them as a group is terrifying. I try to psych myself out with all the public speaking tricks I know, but it still leaves me shaking.
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,147
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Post by scrapnnana on May 2, 2015 13:48:58 GMT
Yes, I speak well in front of a large group. I have spoken in church from the time I was young, but I also have spoken in front of a huge gathering of parents and educators, before local and state government officials, and in smaller venues as well as large.
I took 3 years of drama in high school. I was a shy girl, and it was very, very good for me. I have no trouble speaking to any audience if I can prepare ahead of time, although I can do all right on-the-spot if necessary, too.
I have a good singing voice, but singing solos scares me far more. I'd rather speak in front of a huge audience than sing a solo in front of even a small group. Maybe it's because I had more preparation for speaking than performing vocally.
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Post by crazy4scraps on May 2, 2015 14:15:45 GMT
I was in drama and student council in high school and the debate all through college. I don't have any problems giving presentations at work. I agree with the suggestion to prepare extensively and speak extemporaneously. Feeling comfortable with your subject matter is key for me. I met DH on the debate team and both our kids are great public speakers. This is true for me too. If I know my subject matter inside and out, I can stand in front of a crowd and talk all day long. I used to teach convention classes way back when we used to have real scrapbook conventions here, and always got great student reviews. I used to be very nervous speaking to a group when I was younger, and what helped me more than anything were the improv acting classes I took in high school. It would have never been anything I would have voluntarily chosen, but I needed an elective and that was the only thing that fit in my schedule. It really helped me to open up, put myself out there and not be afraid to go with whatever came up on the fly. Those classes ended up being one of the highlights of my high school years. |
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Post by Patter on May 2, 2015 14:44:29 GMT
Oh man, I LOVE to speak in front of others. I taught childbirth for many years. My classes were always about 26+ people. I also would give 40 minute lectures at BSF to a sanctuary full of women. I LOVE it. It's kind of my passion. And since I don't do either right now, I really miss it! Well, I do the sermon for our K-5 kiddos at church once a month (that's anywhere from 30-70 kids). I love that too. I guess I just love to talk. LOL!! Edited to Add: With that said, I also prepare a lot for my talks. I don't like to talk "off the cuff." I like to be very prepared, know my audience and my material. |
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purplebee
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,732
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Post by purplebee on May 2, 2015 18:36:28 GMT
Not so much speaking, but will sing in front of folks. Last evening did a show with a band - five of us - for a group of about 70 people, mostly seniors. Lots of fun, I don't mind it, and like it even more if my singing partner or my son is singing with me, we mostly do old country stuff. It's funny, back in my younger days,I would have died before getting up to sing in front of anyone! But I guess getting older (I'm 63) has made me braver, or else my I don't give a flip anymore has kicked in.
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Post by littlefish on May 3, 2015 1:07:49 GMT
Pretty decent, I think.
I teach elementary school, but I've also worked with adults and teach higher ed. I've given testimonies and delivered announcements to large groups.
Spending a lot of time speaking in front of others at Disney helped too.
Part of my brother's media consulting business includes teaching improv to corporate offices. Being involved in improv for many years served him quite well in his previous jobs.
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breetheflea
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,918
Location: PNW
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Post by breetheflea on May 3, 2015 1:22:01 GMT
No, and I avoid it at all costs.
I took public speaking in high school because we had to give a 10 minute speech at the end of the year in order to graduate, and I still stunk.
My voice isn't loud enough and doesn't carry even when I talk louder, my voice shakes and I sound like I'm crying, I turn red, I sweat, I shake, I forget what I'm supposed to say. I'd rather do just about anything else instead.
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Post by mollycoddle on May 3, 2015 1:26:42 GMT
I'm not bad. Fair, I guess.
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Post by disneypal on May 3, 2015 1:28:20 GMT
As long as I know the subject matter well, I am a very good public speaker. I only get nervous if I don't know the subject very well.
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Post by ktdoesntscrap on May 3, 2015 1:29:37 GMT
I was asked to speak at a small gathering of corporate people and while it went okay, I wasn't entirely comfortable and I know it showed. I used to teach Scrapbooking classes locally and at large conventions without problems...I've wrangled scout groups and their parents... How do you improve as a public speaker when it's not something you get to do very often? See if there is a toastmaster's club near you. That way you have a place to do public speaking so you can improve. It is one of those skills you have to keep doing to keep the skills sharp. Even people who are naturally good at it will have bad days if they go long periods without needing to make a presentation. Like most things the only way you get better is to do it. and to practice...The best way I have found is to use Toastmasters. |
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The Birdhouse Lady
Drama Llama
Moose. It's what's for dinner.
Posts: 7,175
Location: Alaska -The Last Frontier
Jun 30, 2014 17:15:19 GMT
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Post by The Birdhouse Lady on May 3, 2015 1:56:45 GMT
In one word.....NO
The thought of having to speak in public makes me break out into a sweat!
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Post by 950nancy on May 3, 2015 14:24:46 GMT
Interesting timing. My 13 year old ds had a presentation yesterday and he said it was awful. He said his face got red (kids told him, not just that he felt it) and he was talking so fast without breathing that he almost hyperventilated. So we were talking about strategies for next time and were trying to think of ways he could get practice. I am going to make a note of some of the ides mentioned here - including practicing at home! DH and I didn't even know he had a presentation until that morning when he was dressed in khakis and a button down for school. As for myself, I hate it. I have a benign tremor, so I shake a little. It generally isn't too noticeable, but if I get nervous it is very obvious. Which makes me more nervous. So I avoid it like the plague. It is totally normal for kids to do this. Most are nervous, some just show it more. I teach fifth grade and my kids have to do a poem presentation every three weeks. They memorize a poem and then share it with the class. They are longer poems and at the beginning most of the kids hate it. By the end of the year, 10-12 poems down, they are really very good public speakers. This week they have an oral presentation on the Middle Ages. Most of them seem to be pretty comfortable. I love it that a lot of them choose to go into drama in junior high because they just aren't fearful of public speaking. |
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Post by whipea on May 3, 2015 14:58:12 GMT
Yes and I really enjoy public speaking and it had been an integral part of my profession for 25 years even before I began teaching at the university. It energizes me and the bigger the audience the better.
Suggestions are to know your material, be credible and confident. Even the best and most experienced speakers are nervous before and at the start of a presentation, it is just learning to use the nervous energy as a positive contribution to your presentation. I always hold something in my hand like a pen cap or a coin, just makes me more comfortable. Also, I use a notepad to make an outline of the presentation, numbering the pages and writing really big though I rarely refer to notes since I practice prior to the presentation. I don't recommend index cards in case they are dropped.
Most of all be yourself. And keep in mind that you are doing better than you think. Further, if you mess up you won't perish from the earth and it will make a great story some day.
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