Public speaking classes...

[Sheva #7]

Hey guys

I am wondering if any of you have taken any public speaking classes, whether at UofC or some other places?? I have a bit of trouble doing presentations, as I get too nervous and often struggle...start to mumble etc.

Obviously i wanna improve as this is a skill that i need to have, so I am thinking of taking some public speaking classes (i don't even know if they exist, i heard they do), so i am wondering if anyone of you have taken them and if you found it effective/useful??

I also have a bit of an accent as I moved here when I was 14, so I heard there is also courses which will supposedly help you to get rid of an accent..honestly i don't believe that is possible but anyway if someone knows or has taken any of such courses any feedback will be appreciated...

Thanks in advance guys

[RougeUnderoos]

Don't try to get rid of an accent unless you are Charlize Theron or your job is explaining what time movies start over the telephone.

I know someone who did this Dale Carnegie thing and it worked pretty good.

A cheaper method is just getting drunk before your presentation. You won't be nervous at all.

[Fozzie_DeBear]

One word buddy Toastmasters...they have clubs all over the city/province/country/world. They are all listed on the site..

There is a big difference between clubs, so check out a few (drunk or not)and see if you like what you see

[Bean]

I took a communications course as part of a continuing education diploma at the University of Calgary. The site is currently down but you can find it here: (part of the business area)
http://conted.ucalgary.ca/courses/

Essentially the course was to improve confidence and learn what communication is and how to do it better. There are some aspects of it which were typical of a University course but the best part about it was that at almost every class you had to speak in front of others to gain confidence. There were two projects that you have to present, (of which I presented on the NHL lockout)

Definately recommended if it is something that seems beneficial to you.

[Mr.Coffee]

I'm not sure if this will help...

but if I ever start to get nervous before presenting... (had two presentations this week)...

I try to think about how little I care about anyone's opinion about me.

That usually helps me at least.

[Eastern Girl]

I find practising a lot always helped me out. When you really know the material you are presenting, I think that helps with your confidence. Also, if you find yourself getting a little flustered, keep a water bottle with you and just stop and take a sip of water. Gives you a chance to gain a little composure.

As for classes, I am not in Calgary so I can't really help you there.

[Incinerator]

^^ What EG said, also it might be helpful to read some joke books and have a couple good one-liners to loosen the crowd a bit in the beginning or when you've hit a bit of a rut in the middle of your speech.

[Temporary_User]

I goto MRC, and ive taken a few public speaking classes there. to me they were good fun, interesting, gpa boosting classes. You really learn alot.
everyone gets nervous before speaking. even the pros who do it all the time
good deep breaths seem to help. practise. good cue cards.
you learn that the crowd doesnt want to see you fail, they want you to succeed.
if you can, apply and take a few classes there. I know you mentioned UofC, the classes I took at MRC tranfer to the UofC if your a student there.

[Phaneuf3]

ok, you're never going to believe this would help but damn does it ever. holding on to something small - a paper clip or a pen or something during your presentation helps SOOO much you wouldn't believe it.

since i've started to do this on the advice of one of my teachers, i can't believe how much my confidence level has gone up giving presentations. just being aware of what you're doing with your hands makes all the difference.

[STeeLy]

Originally Posted by Phaneuf3

ok, you're never going to believe this would help but damn does it ever. holding on to something small - a paper clip or a pen or something during your presentation helps SOOO much you wouldn't believe it.

since i've started to do this on the advice of one of my teachers, i can't believe how much my confidence level has gone up giving presentations. just being aware of what you're doing with your hands makes all the difference.

This is something I've never heard of... I oughtta try that next time, not that I actually have to present anything this year. Thanks man.

[Eastern Girl]

Originally Posted by Phaneuf3

ok, you're never going to believe this would help but damn does it ever. holding on to something small - a paper clip or a pen or something during your presentation helps SOOO much you wouldn't believe it.

since i've started to do this on the advice of one of my teachers, i can't believe how much my confidence level has gone up giving presentations. just being aware of what you're doing with your hands makes all the difference.

Yeah, that's a good suggestion actually. In the last presentation I did for university, I brought my stress ball and held it the whole time. It really does help you focus on what you are saying and it keeps you from fidgeting

[@theCBE]

I got to do the full Dale Carnegie program for free through Junior Achievements when I was in high school. I would higly recommend it, it was a really good program. I can even see myself paying for it in the future when I start working if I find I need to brush up my public speaking skills.

I have heard good things about toastmasters as well, my Dad did it for quite a while and he has nothing but good things to say about them.

[GreenTeaFrapp]

I took an all day two day course on public speaking by my former employers learning services group. It wasn't something I had chosen to do but since a colleague had signed and paid for it, when she was unable to go my manager figured the spot should get used.

Anyways as someone who hates public speaking, I didn't find it all that helpful. If your issue with public speaking is nerves more then creating content, its not going to help you other then giving you some practice. The biggest hurdle will always be getting over your nervousness and after that's out of the way then you can focus on improving the content of your speeches.

[Maritime Q-Scout]

hey guys,

I've been public speaking for a long long time, competitively for over 10 years.

The best advice I can give you is to go over your presentation with someone who is good at it, and can analyze your style. Everyone's speaking style is different so for me to say do x, y, and z isn't really going to help much.

A few things:

1 - If you speak with something in your hand, people will watch what's in your hand and not listen to you, or your presentation.

2 - It's ok to trip over your words, or say the wrong thing. What I do when I trip over my words, repeat what I was supposed to say, if I still trip over my words say something like "blablahblahlibbity blah blah, ok now to try and speak English again". Draw attention to your mistake with humour, it'll make people remember your point, and be more effective in keeping people's attention

3 - Outline what you're talking about, ie:
I'm going to talk about A, B, and C, then talk about A, say you're moving onto B, then C, then recap, I told you about A, B, and C.

4 - Eye contact, if you're more comfortable picking three spots/people in the room look at them, and make eye contact with them. Eye contact helps keep people's attention.

5 - Speak as if you were talking to your friends, what I mean by that is tone, rate, volume. Just becuase it's a presentation don't pick up the pace and speak at 2x the normal rate.

6 - It's ok to slow things down, if you notice yourself speaking too fast (generally what happens when you're nervous public speaking) between points, pause, take a breath, not only will this calm you down and give you a chance to recollect yourself, but it also can add effect going into your next point.


Anything else, questions etc, PM me I'm happy to help

[MoneyGuy]

I've also been doing this for a long time and I'm a municipal politician so I have many occasions to speak in front of large groups. I have to second all that Maritime Q-S said. I've always enjoyed it. I know, I'm nuts. I'm also an Oiler fan, if there was any doubt. Toastmasters if probably your best bet. Then get lots of practice.

Practise your words, but I hate it when people read everything. Go sllllloooowwwwwwww. Appear confident. Even if you're not. Think of yourself as an actor who is on stage. Act the part of the confident orator. and have fun, because it can be enjoyable. Or torture. Up to you.

[Fobby]

Originally Posted by Maritime Q-Scout

hey guys,

I've been public speaking for a long long time, competitively for over 10 years.

The best advice I can give you is to go over your presentation with someone who is good at it, and can analyze your style. Everyone's speaking style is different so for me to say do x, y, and z isn't really going to help much.

A few things:

1 - If you speak with something in your hand, people will watch what's in your hand and not listen to you, or your presentation.

2 - It's ok to trip over your words, or say the wrong thing. What I do when I trip over my words, repeat what I was supposed to say, if I still trip over my words say something like "blablahblahlibbity blah blah, ok now to try and speak English again". Draw attention to your mistake with humour, it'll make people remember your point, and be more effective in keeping people's attention

3 - Outline what you're talking about, ie:
I'm going to talk about A, B, and C, then talk about A, say you're moving onto B, then C, then recap, I told you about A, B, and C.

4 - Eye contact, if you're more comfortable picking three spots/people in the room look at them, and make eye contact with them. Eye contact helps keep people's attention.

5 - Speak as if you were talking to your friends, what I mean by that is tone, rate, volume. Just becuase it's a presentation don't pick up the pace and speak at 2x the normal rate.

6 - It's ok to slow things down, if you notice yourself speaking too fast (generally what happens when you're nervous public speaking) between points, pause, take a breath, not only will this calm you down and give you a chance to recollect yourself, but it also can add effect going into your next point.


Anything else, questions etc, PM me I'm happy to help

Those are Awesome advices.

1 thing i would say is know your material INSIDE and OUT. Don't have any doubts in your own materials.

[Superflyer]

Originally Posted by @theCBE

I got to do the full Dale Carnegie program for free through Junior Achievements when I was in high school. I would higly recommend it, it was a really good program. I can even see myself paying for it in the future when I start working if I find I need to brush up my public speaking skills.

I have heard good things about toastmasters as well, my Dad did it for quite a while and he has nothing but good things to say about them.

I as well have taken the Dale carnegie through my work and it is great. It really builds your confidence and makes it easier to talk in front of people. The company that I work for creates O&G software so we give classes on it and they pay for all employees to take this course because of the success that we have had in it.

[Maritime Q-Scout]

Originally Posted by MoneyGuy

Practise your words, but I hate it when people read everything.

How I forgot to put this down is beyond me, I was ending my lunch hour. Don't read word for word off of your notes.

While you don't have to know your material inside out, it's a good idea to when you're nervous. If you don't know your material inside out there are ways to answer a question with misdirection (think politicans right MoneyGuy, lol... or watch the movie Thank You For Smoking)

Go over what you want to say, if it helps to write it out word for word go ahead, but when you get up there don't read your speech/presentation.

I find having key notes helps me, a few notes just helps keep me on track and going where I want to go.

Remember NO ONE but you knows your presentation, if you screw it up, or leave a part out, or go on a bit of a tangent but comes back, THE ONLY PERSON THAT KNOWS THAT IS YOU. So don't worry about it, if you speak with confidence, and poise everyone will think it's part of the presentation.

I like MoneyGuy love to public speak (I get a high off the crowd).

Like I said before everyone's different, if you're at UofC go to one of the debating meetings and see what they're all about. Debating is how I got my start, and while haven't really competitively debated in a while, the skills of public speaking don't just go away.