Lesson:Be a More Confident Public Speaker

Conversation

Answer the following questions. You might be asked to write them down or answer them out-loud.

1. Are you used to speaking in public? Do you do it often?
2. Why do you think most people get nervous when they have to speak in front of others?
3. Is public speaking an art? Why?
4. Do you use or have any technique that helps you while speaking in front of many people? Tell me about it.
5. Do you think cue cards help when giving a speech? What about body language?
6. What's the easiest part of speaking in public? And the hardest?
7. If you were to speak in public, which subject would you like to talk about? Why?
8. Is there any person you admire when you see him/her speaking in public?
9. Do all speeches need to have funny moments or jokes? Why?
10. What would you do if you were giving a speech and suddenly your mind went blank?

Vocabulary

Look at the vocabulary below. Take time to explore the links for their definitions in English and their translations to Portuguese. When you are done, make a sentence with each word. Ask your teacher if you should write them down or say them out loud.

DT   polls

DT   focus

DT   nightmare

DT   estimated

DT   fear

DT   belong

DT   phobia

DT   tantamount

DT   pander

DT   den

DT   gig

DT   footwork

DT   swings

DT   speech

DT   avoid

DT   dairy

DT   incessantly

DT   sip

DT   composure

Video

Watch the following video but DON'T read the transcript yet.

After watching the video do this listening exercise.

Reading practice

Read the following transcript then do the associated reading comprehension exercise.

Transcript:

Ok, just get up on that podium... Alright I'm here. That was easy! Now I just need a – oh my gosh! How many people are in the audience? A hundred? A thousand? Don't count! Ok, I can do this. I'm gonna focus on my notes. Where did I have them written down again? Ah, hello my - uhhhh. Ok, if this sounds like your worst nightmare, you're not alone. Actually you're one of the estimated seventy percent of the population that has an intense fear of public speaking. And that's ok, because on today's Wellcast we've got our Triple-P Method, that will get you through and get you calm during that next oral report. And keep your breakfast where it belongs. Are you ready?
Many polls list public speaking as the most commonly reported phobia among Americans. It's called glossophobia meaning literally “fear of the tongue”. A study by Texas Christian University tested forty-eight women and forty-eight men enrolled in a public speaking class and found that those who exhibited high-trait anxiety had the most physical symptoms of distress when speaking publicly. So what if you're the kind of person whom any bit of social acrobatics is tantamount to entering a lion's den? Hey, calm down! Ok, I'm just kidding. But seriously, calm down, alright? We've got our Triple-P method that will get you through that next public speaking gig. Pause and print this Wellcast worksheet.
Step 1: Prepare, prepare, prepare!
We said it three times because it's that important. There are two things that go into being prepared: Number one, knowing your subject backwards and forwards. Two: Knowing exactly how you're gonna present it step-by-step. In your Wellcast worksheet, write down the major points that you want to get across to the audience. Get the ideas out of your head and onto the paper. In the next column to the right, start ordering these points in a logical manner. Arguing your point to the audience and winning them over as like a boxing match. First, start with some fancy footwork: A fact or an anecdote that will hook the audience in and get them to pay attention to you. Then, throw a couple of swings: Support the evidence for your arguments. Stance: Personal stories, something that will start to convince the audience that you're taking control. And finally, the Knock out: A landing blow out statement that's memorable, convincing, and sums up your speech's position.
Alright Step 2: Posture and Physicality are key!
Part of keeping your anxiety at bay while giving a speech is knowing what to do with your body. Before your speech, avoid large meals or dairy products, which will make you feel like you need to clean your throat incessantly. Bring a bottle of water on stage if you're allowed. Don’t be afraid to take sips throughout your speech. It'll keep your voice natural and it gives you a moment to pause and regain the composure, if needed. Stand naturally not too stiff or slant. Good posture will help you breath and speak easier and it will let your audience know that you're calm and in control.
Step 3: Pander to your audience.
The best public speakers know how to work the room. Don’t be completely serious unless the occasion calls for it. Don’t read entirely out the cards, keep a natural cadence and pace. Throw a joke or aside in, it'll draw in a laugh. If there is a silence, then turn that into a joke. Stay natural, self-effacing facing and the audience will be on your side.
Let's recap: You'd rather face a poisonous reptile than public speak huh? Well, follow the Wellcast triple-P checklist. Prepare extensively for your speech. Know your content backwards and forwards and figure out the absolute best way to present it and to win over your audience. Watch your posture and physicality, this includes everything from standing naturally to breathing from your diaphragm and pander to your audience. Keep them in the palm of your hand and with an easy demeanor, natural cadence and of course, jokes.

Writing practice

Write a couple of paragraphs explaining a situation in which you needed to speak in public. What was the subject about? How did you prepare for it? How many people were there in the audience? And how did it go? Try to use words you learned from the text and try to make it as long as you can.

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