20 Ways to Improve Your Presentation Skills

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Last updated: Oct 12, 2016
Larry Kim
24
Marketing Strategy

I've been doing a lot of presenting recently, and I have no problem admitting that it's tough. For
those not born with natural eloquence, public speaking can be remarkably nerve-racking. But Im
getting a lot better!

One of the biggest lessons Ive learned over the last few years is that to be a great public speaker,
its key to develop a personal speaking style. Since I know Im not the most eloquent speaker in
the world, I make up for it by packing my presentations with enthusiasm, unique/proprietary
data, and tons of useful content as well as plenty of dumb jokes.
We can't all deliver the next Gettysburg Address, but there are lots of small things you can do
prior to your presentation that will help calm your nerves and set you up for a better presentation.
Here are my 20 best tips to improve your presentation skills.

1. Practice!
Naturally, you'll want to rehearse your presentation multiple times. While it can be difficult for
those with packed schedules to spare time to practice, it's essential if you want to deliver a
rousing presentation. Im famous around the office for staying up late the night before a big
presentation, practicing over and over. If you really want to sound great, write out your speech
rather than taking chances winging it if you get nervous about speaking, a script is your best
friend.

Try to practice where you'll be delivering your talk. Some acting strategists suggest rehearsing
lines in various positions standing up, sitting down, with arms open wide, on one leg, while
sitting on the toilet, etc. (OK, that last one may be optional.) The more you mix up your position
and setting, the more comfortable you'll feel with your speech. Do a practice run for a friend or
colleague, or try recording your presentation and playing it back to evaluate which areas need
work. Listening to recordings of your past talks can clue you in to bad habits you may be
unaware of, as well as inspiring the age-old question: "Is that what I really sound like?"

2. Transform Nervous Energy Into Enthusiasm.

It may sound strange, but I'll often down an energy drink and blast hip-hop music in my
earphones before presenting. Why? It pumps me up and helps me turn jitters into focused
enthusiasm. Studies have shown that an enthusiastic speech can win out over an eloquent one,
and since I'm not exactly the Winston Churchill of presenters, I make sure that I'm as enthusiastic
and energetic as possible before going on stage. Of course, individuals respond differently to
caffeine overload, so know your own body before guzzling those monster energy drinks.
3. Attend Other Presentations.
If you're giving a talk as part of a conference, try to attend some of the earlier talks by other
presenters to scope out their presentation skills and get some context. This shows respect for
your fellow presenters while also giving you a chance to feel out the audience. What's the mood
of the crowd? Are folks in the mood to laugh or are they a bit more stiff? Are the presentations
more strategic or tactical in nature? Another speaker may also say something that you can play
off of later in your own presentation.

4. Arrive Early.
It's always best to allow yourself plenty of time to settle in before your talk. Extra time ensures
you won't be late (even if Google Maps shuts down) and gives you plenty of time to get adapted
to your presentation space.

5. Adjust to Your Surroundings.

The more adjusted to your environment you are, the more comfortable you'll feel. Make sure to
spend some in the room where you will be delivering your presentation. If possible, practice with
the microphone and lighting, make sure you understand the seating and be aware of any
distractions potentially posed by the venue (e.g., a noisy road outside).
 5 minutes before my Inbound presentation gulp

6. Meet and Greet.

Do your best to chat with people before your presentation. Talking with audiences makes you
seem more likeable and approachable. Ask event attendees questions and take in their responses.
They may even give you some inspiration to weave into your talk.

Want more great tips? Check out our Digital Marketer's

Road Map!
7. Use Positive Visualization.
Whether or not youre a Zen master, know that plenty of studies have proven the effectiveness of
positive visualization. When we imagine a positive outcome to a scenario in our mind, it's more
likely to play out the way we envision.

Instead of thinking "I'm going to be terrible out there" and visualizing yourself throwing up mid-
presentation, imagine yourself getting tons of laughs while presenting with the enthusiasm of
Jimmy Fallon and the poise of Audrey Hepburn (the charm of George Clooney wouldn't hurt
either). Positive thoughts can be incredibly effective give them a shot.

8. Remember That Most Audiences Are Sympathetic.

One of the hardest fears to shake when speaking in public is that the audience is secretly waiting
to laugh at your missteps or mistakes. Fortunately, this isnt the case in the vast majority of
presentations.

The audience wants to see you succeed. In fact, many people have a fear of public speaking, so
even if the audience seems indifferent, the chances are pretty good that most people listening to
your presentation can relate to how nerve-racking it can be. If you start to feel nervous, remind
yourself that the audience gets it, and actually wants to see you nail it.

9. Take Deep Breaths.

The go-to advice for jitters has truth to it. When we're nervous, our muscles tighten--you may
even catch yourself holding your breath. Instead, go ahead and take those deep breaths to get
oxygen to your brain and relax your body.

10. Smile.
Smiling increases endorphins, replacing anxiety with calm and making you feel good about your
presentation. Smiling also exhibits confidence and enthusiasm to the crowd. And this tip works
even if you're doing a webinar and people can't see you.

Just don't overdo it no one enjoys the maniacal clown look.

 Dont be like this guy.

11. Exercise.
Exercise earlier in the day prior to your presentation to boost endorphins, which will help
alleviate anxiety. Better pre-register for that Zumba class!

12. Work on Your Pauses.

When you're nervous, it's easy to speed up your presentation and end up talking too fast, which
in turn causes you to run out of breath, get more nervous, and panic! Ahh!

Don't be afraid to slow down and use pauses in your speech. Pausing can be used to emphasize
certain points and to help your talk feel more conversational. If you feel yourself losing control
of your pacing, just take a nice pause and keep cool.

13. Dont Try to Cover Too Much Material.

Yes, your presentations should be full of useful, insightful, and actionable information, but that
doesnt mean you should try to condense a vast and complex topic into a 10-minute presentation.

90 slides in 30 minutes? Only from @larrykim #stateofsearch http://t.co/uttijruots

Kate Gwozdz (@KateGwozdz) November 17, 2014

Knowing what to include, and what to leave out, is crucial to the success of a good presentation.
Im not suggesting you skimp when it comes to data or including useful slides (some of my
webinars have featured 80+ slides), but I am advocating for a rigorous editing process. If it feels
too off-topic, or is only marginally relevant to your main points, leave it out. You can always use
the excess material in another presentation.

14. Actively Engage the Audience.

People love to talk and make their opinions heard, but the nature of presentations can often seem
like a one-sided proposition. It doesnt have to be, though.

Asking the audience what they think, inviting questions, and other means of welcoming audience
participation can boost engagement and make attendees feel like a part of a conversation. It also
makes you, the presenter, seem much more relatable. Consider starting with a poll or survey.
Dont be put off by unexpected questions instead, see them as an opportunity to give your
audience what they want.

Hopefully this man has a question, and doesnt just need to go to the bathroom.

15. Be Entertaining.
Even if your presentation is packed with useful information, if your delivery bombs, so will your
session.

I find that including some jokes and light-hearted slides is a great way to help the audience (and
myself) feel more comfortable, especially when presenting them with a great deal of information.
However, its important to maintain a balance after all, youre not performing a stand-up
routine, and people didnt come to your presentation with the sole intention of being entertained.
That said, dont be afraid to inject a little humor into your talk. If youre not sure about whether a
presentation is too much, run through it for a couple of friends and ask them to tell it to you
straight.

16. Admit You Dont Have All the Answers.

Very few presenters are willing to publicly concede that they dont actually know everything
because they feel it undermines their authority. However, since we all know that nobody can
ever know everything about a given topic, admitting so in a presentation can actually improve
your credibility.

If someone asks a question that stumps you, its okay to admit it. This can also increase your
credibility with the audience, as it demonstrates that, no matter how knowledgeable a person
might be, were all learning, all the time. Nobody expects you to be an omniscient oracle of
forbidden knowledge they just want to learn from you.

17. Use a Power Stance.

Practicing confident body language is another way to boost your pre-presentation jitters. When
your body is physically demonstrating confidence, your mind will follow suit. While you don't
want to be jutting out your chest in an alpha gorilla pose all afternoon (somebody enjoyed Dawn
of the Planet of the Apes a bit too much), studies have shown that using power stances a few
minutes before giving a talk (or heading to a big interview) creates a lasting sense of confidence
and assurance. Whatever you do, don't sit--sitting is passive. Standing or walking a bit will help
you harness those stomach bats (isn't that more appropriate than butterflies?). Before you go on
stage, strike your best Power Ranger stance and hold your head high!
18. Drink Water.
Dry mouth is a common result of anxiety. Prevent cottonmouth blues by staying hydrated and
drinking plenty of water before your talk (just don't forget to hit the bathroom before starting).
Keep a bottle of water at arm's reach while presenting in case you get dry mouth while chatting
up a storm. It also provides a solid object to hurl at potential hecklers. (That'll show 'em.)
19. Join Toastmasters.
Toastmaster clubs are groups across the country (and the world) dedicated to helping members
improve their presentation skills. Groups get together during lunch or after work to take turns
delivering short talks on a chosen topic. The more you present, the better you'll be, so consider
joining a Toastmaster club to become a top-notch orator. Just don't forget, it's BYOB (Bring
Your Own Bread).

20. Don't Fight the Fear.

Accept your fear rather than trying to fight it. Getting yourself worked up by wondering if people
will notice your nervousness will only intensify your anxiety. Remember, those jitters aren't all
bad harness that nervous energy and transform it into positive enthusiasm and you'll be golden.
We salute you, O Captain! My Captain!

www.wordstream.com/blog/ws/2014/11/19/how-to-improve-presentation-skills
Verbal communication skills are essential skills in todays
business environment
Most of us will have participated in formal communication skills training such as
Presentation Skills or Business Development Skills courses. Many courses cover the
formal, planned and group situations we often face. But they rarely cover our regular,
informal ones, such as discussions, meetings, workshops, telephone calls and conversations.

The following nine tips are a starting point to help you think about how you can improve your
verbal communications skills, whether in planned or unplanned situations:

1. Read more Simply increasing what you read (business texts, novels, newspapers etc) can
improve your vocabulary, help you express ideas clearly and eliminate weaknesses in your
language skills.

2. Think about the words Too many words will bore your listener, take up too much time and
result in you losing credibility. There is no need to waffle! Remember not to use words that
people dont understand (they may not even tell you that they dont understand what you are
saying), as you may appear intimidating and make them feel inferior.

3. Prepare (if you can) You would spend time planning what you would say if you were
writing. You would also think about how to make it accessible to as many readers as possible. If
you know of an approaching situation, take time out to think about the questions you may be
asked and what answers you may need to give. If you are delivering a presentation, you should
be prepared for awkward questions and situations where you may need to explain something in a
different way.

4. Listen and be interested Listening more and talking less means you will understand and
bring your listener into the conversation. This helps them to trust you and make them feel that
you really understand their needs. When they talk, be interested and show your interest. This will
improve the rapport you are trying to build. Using note-taking skills like Mind Mapping can help
you to take more effective and memorable notes.

5. Be aware of non-verbal communication traps The impact of the words you say is only a
small element of the communication you are giving. You should make sure that your words, their
tone, the gestures you make, facial expressions and body language you use, are all relevant to
your conversation.

6. Honesty is the best policy Promising something that is not possible will break down any
trust that you have developed. Telling someone that you dont know but can find out is more
positive than just trying to give an answer you hope is effective.
7. Show and seek some understanding Look for understanding from your audience. Its
easier to back track at certain points in your conversation than revisit the whole conversation
again or you risk getting the wrong results because your audience did not understand! You can
use this when delivering or receiving a message. Occasional summaries and confirmation
questions can be extremely useful.

8. Think about perspectives Think about what you are saying from the other persons
perspective. Just because you understand what you mean, it doesnt mean that they will.

9 Develop your skills There are a number of techniques you can learn to help improve your
verbal communication skills. These include:

The skills to develop plans you can use to formulate responses whether planned or impromptu.
Take a look at our Think on Your Feet workshop
Learn the techniques you need to be more effective during these interactions. Mind Mapping
will help you to take and make notes it will also help you do a lot more during your business
day.
We have a full range of courses to assist with your learning techniques click here to see these
courses

https://www.illumine.co.uk/.../communication-skills.../nine-ways-to-improve-verbal-c...
Learning to speak English fluently takes time and a good understanding of the language. Start by
setting some realistic targets for your spoken English that are achievable in the near future. For
example, I want to improve my pronunciation of English vowel sounds or Id like to write
and conduct a short presentation in English for work. Once you have several clear goals in
mind, the following tips will help you to improve your English speaking skills

1. Understanding comes first, so be patient

Imagine a newly-born baby. In the beginning, the young child does not understand language as
such but communicates through body language, crying and so on. Then it starts to engage more
actively with its parents, who speak to it constantly. The baby is a great listener but lacks the
ability to speak properly for several years. Our understanding is always one step ahead of our
practical ability to speak and this is especially the case when learning English as a foreign
language. Work on improving your understanding of English by exposing yourself to the
language as often as possible. Great listeners and observers make great speakers!

2. Confidence matters

Some of the most active and vocal students in any classroom are often the most confident ones.
Being afraid to make mistakes in English will almost certainly lead to nervousness, which in turn
produces a higher incidence of speech errors. At the same time, being overly confident can mean
your ego gets in the way of progress. There is always room for a little constructive criticism and
self-analysis but we should be proud of our achievements and sure in our ability to speak English
well. If you are ever shy or embarrassed about making mistakes when speaking English,
remember this: the vast majority of our mistakes in a foreign language come directly from our
mother tongue and this is a 100% natural process. There is nothing wrong with making mistakes
as long as we try to understand and learn from them. Most native English speakers are
monolingual and are unlikely to speak your language so the fact that you are making an effort to
communicate in English deserves their respect and appreciation.

3. Expand your vocabulary

Knowing more words in a language gives you greater choice and power when trying to express
your thoughts and ideas. Having a larger vocabulary will help you understand native speakers
better and read more complicated texts. Learning thematic vocabulary and discussing topics
connected with it can expand your lexical horizons. Remember that there are always several
ways of saying the same thing and knowing more words will simply mean you are able to
express an idea faster and more directly. Dont be afraid to experiment with the new words and
phrases you learn. Avoid overusing idioms many are outdated and no longer in use. Always
learn vocabulary in a context dont just swallow the dictionary!

4. Use audio books

There are now many websites that allow you to download audio books free of charge so there is
no excuse for not having a few in your collection. Choose an interesting audio book (perhaps one
you are already familiar with in your native language) but dont start listening to it straight away.
First take the original text and read chapter one. Then underline any new words and translate
them. Once you are sure you have understood everything, listen to the first chapter in the audio
book and follow the text version as you progress. When you next go for a walk or drive to work,
put on the audio book again but without the text version you will understand much more! This
approach will also help you make the connection between how English words sound and how
they are written.

5. Work on your pronunciation

Poor pronunciation is a barrier to fluent spoken English and if you fail to clearly distinguish
certain sounds you may be misunderstood. Native English speakers often use contractions and
connected speech to make pronunciation easier. It is a good idea to select a speech model you
like for example, the BBC news or a favourite actor and try to copy how they speak English.
Notice where your pronunciation differs from that of the native speaker (you may want to record
yourself speaking). Practise pronouncing minimal pairs (words that differ in just one sound) to
sharpen distinctions between difficult phonemes. Work out which English sounds present the
most problems for native speakers of your language and focus on these through drilling and
repetition. For example, short and e in words like bad and bed are often difficult for
Russian speakers of English so practising utterances like this can help: She said she was sad
because her bed was bad. It is also worth learning the phonetic alphabet so you can check the
correct pronunciation of words in a dictionary.

6. Watch films and TV in English

Films provide great listening practice and insights into real speech situations involving native
English speakers. Material of this kind often contains a wide range of vocabulary, including
slang, professional jargon and popular expressions in the modern language. If you regularly
watch new films and TV programmes, you will always have your finger on the pulse of current
English usage. If you find watching full-length films tiring, try a short documentary or serial
these are often shorter (around 30 mins). Download subtitles in English if you have difficulties
understanding fast speech and native accents. However, avoid subtitles in your language as they
will prevent you concentrating on the English original. If you watch the same types of English
video material on a regular basis, you will soon find that words and expressions start to repeat.
The more you watch, the easier it will become for you to understand native English. After this,
you can try using the words and expressions you have learnt in your own speech.

7. Listen to songs in English

If you are a music lover, this tip is for you. Take several of your favourite tracks in English and
download the lyrics from the internet. Read and translate these lyrics, making a note of new
words and expressions. Remember that the language used in songs is often non-standard and can
be literary or poetic so there is little sense in spending hours on a direct translation just try to
get the gist of the song. Now play the song and follow the lyrics you have printed out. After this,
you can listen to the song any time without the lyrics and still understand what its about. If you
have an ear for music, try learning some songs in English and then sing them in the shower each
morning!

8. Find a study buddy

If you find it hard to stay motivated when studying English or just dont like learning on your
own, you may want to look for a study buddy. Ask your friends whether they speak English and
would like to practise with you once a week. You can then meet up to watch English films, play
games in English, attend a speaking club in your city, travel abroad together, etc. This could
make studying the language more fun and provide you with a constant conversation partner.

9. Network with natives

There are numerous language exchange and pen pal websites on the internet where you can meet
other speakers of English. Some will be native speakers, but the majority will be non-natives. In
any case, sites of this type can provide a great opportunity to network with new and interesting
people from around the world, perhaps make a few friends and practise your written and spoken
English. If you enjoy travelling, maybe one day you will get a chance to meet some of your new
friends face-to-face!

10. Take English conversation classes online with a native teacher

At the end of the day, there is no substitute for real conversation practice with a native English
speaker. If you dont live in an English-speaking country and dont have native English friends,
then a logical alternative is to take conversational lessons with a Skype English teacher. Regular
1-to-1 speech practice will give you the targeted approach you need to make fast progress with
your English speaking skills.

onlineteachersuk.com/en/10-tips-to-improve-your-english-speaking-skills/
8 Ways to Perfect Your Presentation Skills in
English

Wil - 14/01/2014

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As part of our Career Week, wed like to help you perfect your professional presentation skills in
English. Did you know, one of the most common phobias to plague adults is the fear of public
speaking?

We understand that giving a professional presentation in English becomes a particularly anxiety-

inducing task when youre not a native speaker. However there are some rules of presenting that
transcend languages. Here are our top eight tips to help you give a great presentation:

1. Be prepared

Thorough research and preparation is key. Become an expert on your subject. The more you
know about the topic youre speaking about, the easier it will be for you to speak confidently. If
youre unprepared, your audience will know it and will likely tune you out.

2. Practice makes perfect

Like anything, the more you practice, the easier it becomes. Start by practicing in front of a
mirror. Pay attention to your English pronunciation, but also make note of your eye contact,
gestures and body language. Remember to stand up straight and look your audience in the eye.
One youve mastered your presentation in front of the mirror, its time to practice with a real
audience. Running through your presentation with a friend or family member can be a great way
to build your confidence and help you memorize your material. Nerves can often make a
presenter speak too quickly, so take a deep breath and time yourself to ensure youre not rushing
through important information.

3. Tell a story

Everyone enjoys a good story, and youre far more likely to engage your audience if youre able
to weave your information into a memorable narrative. Keep focused on your topic, but draw
your audience in by conveying your message with passion and purpose.

4. Less is more

Dont bore your audience by giving them big paragraphs or long lists of bullet points. If youre
using PowerPoint as part of your presentation, consider using pictures and short phrases instead
of full sentences or paragraphs to illustrate your point. Relying on these as prompts while youre
presenting will help you to speak naturally, rather than read to your audience.

5. Be bold

A bold speaker is a memorable one. Maintain your audiences interest by making a big statement
or including a funny anecdote thats relevant to your topic. Everyone loves to laugh, and youll
make a positive impression if you can hold your audiences attention with a little humor

6. Move around

Be natural and connect with your audience. Dont hide behind a table or rely on a podium to hold
you up. Use gestures to emphasize important points and exude positive body language at all
times.

7. Avoid tech problems

Technical difficulties on a presentation day can happen, so be prepared. While some issues are
unavoidable, you can guard against them by having a back up plan. Wherever possible, dont
rely on the internet. Instead, take screen shots and bring downloaded files.

8. Anticipate questions

Expect that people may ask questions or need clarification on some points. Try to anticipate what
might be asked and prepare some answers in advance, so you wont be caught off guard. If you
dont know how to respond to a question immediately, you can always invite the questioner to
meet with you after the presentation.

http://englishlive.ef.com/blog/8-ways-to-perfect-your-presentation-skills-in-english/
Whether we're talking in a team meeting or presenting in front of an audience, we all have to
speak in public from time to time.

We can do this well or we can do this badly, and the outcome strongly affects the way that
people think about us. This is why public speaking causes so much anxiety and concern.

The good news is that, with thorough preparation and practice, you can overcome your
nervousness and perform exceptionally well. This article explains how!

The Importance of Public Speaking

Even if you don't need to make regular presentations in front of a group, there are plenty of
situations where good public speaking skills can help you advance your career and create
opportunities.

For example, you might have to talk about your organization at a conference, make a speech
after accepting an award, or teach a class to new recruits. Speaking to an audience also includes
online presentations or talks; for instance, when training a virtual team, or when speaking to a
group of customers in an online meeting.

Good public speaking skills are important in other areas of your life, as well. You might be asked
to make a speech at a friend's wedding, give a eulogy for a loved one, or inspire a group of
volunteers at a charity event.

In short, being a good public speaker can enhance your reputation, boost your self-confidence ,
and open up countless opportunities.

However, while good skills can open doors, poor ones can close them. For example, your boss
might decide against promoting you after sitting through a badly-delivered presentation. You
might lose a valuable new contract by failing to connect with a prospect during a sales pitch. Or
you could make a poor impression with your new team, because you trip over your words and
don't look people in the eye.

Make sure that you learn how to speak well!

Strategies for Becoming a Better Speaker

The good news is that speaking in public is a learnable skill. As such, you can use the following
strategies to become a better speaker and presenter.

Plan Appropriately

First, make sure that you plan your communication appropriately. Use tools like the Rhetorical
Triangle , Monroe's Motivated Sequence , and the 7Cs of Communication to think about
how you'll structure what you're going to say.
When you do this, think about how important a book's first paragraph is; if it doesn't grab you,
you're likely going to put it down. The same principle goes for your speech: from the beginning,
you need to intrigue your audience.

For example, you could start with an interesting statistic, headline, or fact that pertains to what
you're talking about and resonates with your audience. You can also use story telling as a
powerful opener; our Expert Interviews with Annette Simmons and Paul Smith offer some useful
tips on doing this.

Planning also helps you to think on your feet . This is especially important for unpredictable
question and answer sessions or last-minute communications.

Tip:

Remember that not all occasions when you need to speak in public will be scheduled. You can
make good impromptu speeches by having ideas and mini-speeches pre-prepared. It also helps
to have a good, thorough understanding of what's going on in your organization and industry.

Practice

There's a good reason that we say, "Practice makes perfect!" You simply cannot be a confident,
compelling speaker without practice.

To get practice, seek opportunities to speak in front of others. For example, Toastmasters is a
club geared specifically towards aspiring speakers, and you can get plenty of practice at
Toastmasters sessions. You could also put yourself in situations that require public speaking,
such as by cross-training a group from another department, or by volunteering to speak at team
meetings.

Finding This Article Useful?

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Try the Club for Free

If you're going to be delivering a presentation or prepared speech, create it as early as possible.
The earlier you put it together, the more time you'll have to practice.

Practice it plenty of times alone, using the resources you'll rely on at the event, and, as you
practice, tweak your words until they flow smoothly and easily.

Then, if appropriate, do a dummy run in front of a small audience: this will help you calm your
jitters and make you feel more comfortable with the material. Your audience can also give you
useful feedback , both on your material and on your performance.

Engage With Your Audience

When you speak, try to engage your audience. This makes you feel less isolated as a speaker and
keeps everyone involved with your message. If appropriate, ask leading questions targeted to
individuals or groups, and encourage people to participate and ask questions.

Keep in mind that some words reduce your power as a speaker. For instance, think about how
these sentences sound: "I just want to add that I think we can meet these goals" or "I just think
this plan is a good one." The words "just" and "I think" limit your authority and conviction. Don't
use them.

A similar word is "actually," as in, "Actually, I'd like to add that we were under budget last
quarter." When you use "actually," it conveys a sense of submissiveness or even surprise.
Instead, say what things are. "We were under budget last quarter" is clear and direct.

Also, pay attention to how you're speaking. If you're nervous, you might talk quickly. This
increases the chances that you'll trip over your words, or say something you don't mean. Force
yourself to slow down by breathing deeply. Don't be afraid to gather your thoughts; pauses are an
important part of conversation, and they make you sound confident, natural, and authentic.

Finally, avoid reading word-for-word from your notes. Instead, make a list of important points
on cue cards, or, as you get better at public speaking, try to memorize what you're going to say
you can still refer back to your cue cards when you need them.

Pay Attention to Body Language

If you're unaware of it, your body language will give your audience constant, subtle clues
about your inner state. If you're nervous, or if you don't believe in what you're saying, the
audience can soon know.

Pay attention to your body language: stand up straight, take deep breaths, look people in the eye,
and smile. Don't lean on one leg or use gestures that feel unnatural.

Many people prefer to speak behind a podium when giving presentations. While podiums can be
useful for holding notes, they put a barrier between you and the audience. They can also become
a "crutch," giving you a hiding place from the dozens or hundreds of eyes that are on you.
Instead of standing behind a podium, walk around and use gestures to engage the audience. This
movement and energy will also come through in your voice, making it more active and
passionate.

Think Positively

Positive thinking can make a huge difference to the success of your communication, because it
helps you feel more confident.

Fear makes it all too easy to slip into a cycle of negative self-talk, especially right before you
speak, while self-sabotaging thoughts such as "I'll never be good at this!" or "I'm going to fall
flat on my face!" lower your confidence and increase the chances that you won't achieve what
you're truly capable of.

Use affirmations and visualization to raise your confidence. This is especially important right
before your speech or presentation. Visualize giving a successful presentation, and imagine how
you'll feel once it's over and when you've made a positive difference for others. Use positive
affirmations such as "I'm grateful I have the opportunity to help my audience" or "I'm going to
do well!"

Cope With Nerves

How often have you listened to or watched a speaker who really messed up? Chances are, the
answer is "not very often."

When we have to speak in front of others, we can envision terrible things happening. We
imagine forgetting every point we want to make, passing out from our nervousness, or doing so
horribly that we'll lose our job. But those things almost never come to pass! We build them up in
our minds and end up more nervous than we need to be.

Many people cite speaking to an audience as their biggest fear, and a fear of failure is often at
the root of this. Public speaking can lead your "fight or flight" response to kick in: adrenaline
courses through your bloodstream, your heart rate increases, you sweat, and your breath becomes
fast and shallow.

Although these symptoms can be annoying or even debilitating, the Inverted-U Model shows
that a certain amount of pressure enhances performance. By changing your mindset, you can use
nervous energy to your advantage.

First, make an effort to stop thinking about yourself, your nervousness, and your fear. Instead,
focus on your audience: what you're saying is "about them." Remember that you're trying to help
or educate them in some way, and your message is more important than your fear. Concentrate
on the audience's wants and needs, instead of your own.
If time allows, use deep breathing exercises to slow your heart rate and give your body the
oxygen it needs to perform. This is especially important right before you speak. Take deep
breaths from your belly, hold each one for several seconds, and let it out slowly.

Crowds are more intimidating than individuals, so think of your speech as a conversation that
you're having with one person. Although your audience may be 100 people, focus on one
friendly face at a time, and talk to that person as if he or she is the only one in the room.

Watch Recordings of Your Speeches

Whenever possible, record your presentations and speeches. You can improve your speaking
skills dramatically by watching yourself later, and then working on improving in areas that didn't
go well.

As you watch, notice any verbal stalls, such as "um" or "like." Look at your body language: are
you swaying, leaning on the podium, or leaning heavily on one leg? Are you looking at the
audience? Did you smile? Did you speak clearly at all times?

Pay attention to your gestures. Do they appear natural or forced? Make sure that people can see
them, especially if you're standing behind a podium.

Last, look at how you handled interruptions, such as a sneeze or a question that you weren't
prepared for. Does your face show surprise, hesitation, or annoyance? If so, practice managing
interruptions like these smoothly, so that you're even better next time.

Key Points
Chances are that you'll sometimes have to speak in public as part of your role. While this can
seem intimidating, the benefits of being able to speak well outweigh any perceived fears. To
become a better speaker, use the following strategies:

Plan appropriately.
Practice.
Engage with your audience.
Pay attention to body language.
Think positively.
Cope with your nerves.
Watch recordings of your speeches.

If you speak well in public, it can help you get a job or promotion, raise awareness for your team
or organization, and educate others. The more you push yourself to speak in front of others, the
better you'll become, and the more confidence you'll have.

https://www.mindtools.com/CommSkll/PublicSpeaking.htm
Students in American schools learn from an early age to give presentations as part of their
regular classroom activities. Children as young as five years old often give brief talks about
objects they bring in to school - called show and tell, this training is a basis for later public
speaking.

Even so, many native English-speaking adults are afraid to speak or give presentations in front of
a large group. There is a large industry of consultants who train professionals in public
speaking.

Comedian Jerry Seinfeld said the most common fear people have is public speaking. The second
most common fear is death. He made a joke about this. He said,

"I saw a thing, actually a study that said: speaking in front of a crowd is considered the number
one fear of the average person. I found that amazing.

Number two, was death. Death is number two? This means, to the average person, if you have to
be at a funeral, you would rather be in the casket than doing the eulogy."

Speaking English in public meetings is necessary for many students and employees. The best
way to improve is to practice public speaking in a friendly environment. Learners need to
receive feedback about what they are doing well and about their mistakes. One group that gives
members the chance to practice is Toastmasters.

Toastmasters is an international organization that holds weekly meetings. At the meetings,

members each give a speech and give others advice about their speeches and speaking style.

Charles LeBeau is a public speaking professor and consultant. He began his career in Japan in
1982. Currently, he teaches at two universities and at the Toshiba International Training Center.
He has also written books on the subject.

English language learners around the world use his book Speaking of Speech.

Mr. LeBeau says that students in other cultures may not have the chance to practice public
speaking as young children. When they reach the college level, or enter their career, they need to
present well in English. Many careers require public speaking skills.

In Japan now, most students need to do presentations in many of their classes. The other area is
professionally. Whatever profession those students are in, or are going to be in, presentations are
going to be an important part of it. So for example, if theyre going to be in sales, presentation is
an important part of sales. If they are going to be a teacher, its an important part of being a
teacher. If they are going to be in the tourism industry, its an important part of that. Practically,
in almost all kinds of work theres some opportunity to do a presentation.

Speaking of Speech tells about a method of teaching public speaking for non-native speakers. Mr.
LeBeau says a simple approach helps English learners.
So, the professor divides public speaking into three parts: the physical message, the visual
message, and the story message.

The central thing to remember about public speaking or presentation is that its a very complex,
sophisticated communicative activity. For non-native speakers its a really scary activity. So to
make that more simplistic and easy for them, and to keep it from being so overwhelming,
because theres so many things going on, the approach that Ive taken is to simplify and break it
down. First if we look at presentation, whats going on, there are basically three messages that
the presenter is giving the audience, all simultaneously. Theres what I call the physical
message. Its basically body language. Its the way that my body, as a speaker, is talking to the
audience. Then theres also the visual message. The visual message(s) are the slides that we now
make and show the audience. The third message is the story message. The story message is the
content of our presentation. So another way we can think of the story message is that its the
verbal message, its what we say to the audience. The story message also includes how we
organize our ideas to present to the audience.

The graphic [click to enlarge] shows examples of these three messages. Mr. LeBeau finds that
company employees are under pressure to perform well when giving professional presentations.
He says it can take years to improve general English speaking ability.

He says the simple approach to breaking down the parts of public speaking has proved itself. He
says learners improve quickly and do a good presentation after a few days of study.
Three Messages - Charles LeBeau's Public Speaking Instruction
They dont have the time to work and improve their English, they dont have three or four years
to work on their English and become better English speakers. What they need to do is work on
their presentation skills, so that they can give a good presentation next week, regardless of the
level of their English. So I think this is why focusing on presentation skills is really, really
important. Of course, over the long run they have to improve their English. But if we can help
them improve their presentation skills, they can do a good presentation regardless of their
English level.

Modern technology is an important tool in teaching and learning public speaking. Many students
now have a phone or device that can take videos. Using these videos, students can watch
themselves and see how they appear to their audience. They can also watch models of good
speeches on the Internet and learn from watching videos of public speaking experts.

In the next Speaking Tips we will explore Charles LeBeaus recommendations for improving
the Physical Message. He thinks this is the public speaking skill that is easiest for English
learners to improve quickly.

Im Jill Robbins.

Jill Robbins wrote this story for Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor.

http://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/public-speaking-tips-three-messages/2637519.html
Speaking is often the hardest of the four language skills. It's one thing listening and
understanding, or even reading and writing, but it's another talking to a native speaker and not
getting all flustered and experiencing brain shut down. But with the right tricks (and constant
diligence), you can get over the learning curve with ease.

Part 1

Improving Your English at Home

1.

Record yourself. When you're by your lonesome, you have no reason to be nervous. You can let
your brain flow freely -- so record yourself now! Your English is going to be at its best. Find a
book on tape or a clip online that you can mimic. Does your English sound the same?
 o Or record yourself reading from a book. You'll be able to actually hear yourself (which
we surprisingly have trouble with in real time) and be able to pinpoint the quirks in your
English and where you slow down and have trouble. Then rerecord it and see how
you've improved!

2.

Read aloud. If your hands are full or you don't have a recording device, simply read aloud --
ideally, every day for at least 15 or 20 minutes. You'll get used to speaking for longer periods of
time and forming long sentences won't phase you. And you'll run into words you can add to
your vocabulary.

o It's best to choose books with lots of dialogue. The language is generally more real and a
bit simpler; after all, dialogue is conversation. Being able to read poetry is great but
conversations are a much more practical skill, you know?
3.

Listen to mp3s, podcasts, and the news. We live in such a digital age; even if you think you
don't have native speakers at your disposal, you actually do. Scientific American, CBC, BBC and
Australia's ABC Radio are great mp3s to get started with, but there's also a million podcasts out
there and handfuls of news stations, too. And the best part is that these people generally speak
clearly and have pretty generic accents.

o Another bonus? You'll have interesting things to talk about in English! You'll be up on all
the news - even if you're just repeating what you've heard (not like anyone will know!).
You're improving your English by expanding your knowledge. Two birds with one stone,
really.
4.

Listen to music, too. Alright, so it's not as good as listening to spoken news/podcasts/etc., but it
is good. If you can concentrate on one song a day or so, even better. Just make sure you actively
try to understand it. Google the lyrics and sing along!

o It's best to stick to ballads -- songs that go a bit more slowly. Pick one a day until you
have it mostly memorized and understand what the words actually mean. It's a great
way to learn idioms and slang, too.
5.

Watch TV and movies. An integral part of speaking is hearing or listening. Because of this, the
easiest way to involve yourself in a conversation without actually having one is to watch English
TV and movies. If you absolutely have to, turn the subtitles on -- but try to resist!

o Movies are great because you watch them over and over; the more you watch them,
the more things you'll pick up. TV is good though, too, because you develop
relationships with the characters and you grow accustomed to how they talk and the
quirks of their speech.
6.

Narrate your world. As you go about your day-to-day, talk to yourself. What are you doing?
What are you feeling? What do you see, taste, smell, hear? What are you touching? What are
you thinking? Right now you're reading wikiHow. You're sitting in a chair (probably). Maybe
you're listening to music or have the TV on in the background. The possibilities are limitless.

o Think the future and the past, too. What are you going to do next? What did you just
do? You gotta get to thinking in English consistently to truly get better. The more you
think in English, the faster it'll come out.
Part 2

Improving Your English with Others

1.

Mimic the rhythm. Every language has a musicality about it. You can have absolutely perfect
grammar and if you don't have the rhythm down, you won't have that native sound. So whether
you're talking to English speakers or you're watching on TV, look for emphasis, intonation, and
emotion. How well can you mimic it?

o In every sentence, there are parts that are longer, louder, and said at a higher pitch. In
the phrase "rock and roll," saying "rock AND roll" sounds very strange. But "rockin roll"
sounds a lot more natural. This is the icing on the English cake!
2.

Observe their mouth movements, too. Just as every language has a musicality, it has a
tendency to use certain mouth movements as well. You could be making the right sound,
technically, but if your mouth is in the wrong place, it won't come out correctly. That's your lips
and your tongue for the record!

o You can't exactly stop someone and ask them about the current position of their
tongue. But it is something you can be conscious of in your own language. If you hear
someone say a word and you can't mimic it perfectly, experiment! Maybe it just needs
to be a bit further back or higher in your mouth. It's in their somewhere!
3.

Keep a notebook and pocket dictionary with you. Whenever you're speaking to someone or
hear others speaking and you catch a word you don't fully understand, write it down and look it
up (you have the spelling skills, right?). Instead of thinking to yourself later that night, "Man,
what was that word again?" you'll be able to flip to your notebook and remember. Boom.
Learning!

o It's good enough to write it down and look it up, though. Oh no, no, no. You gotta make
it a point to use that word you just learned! (Or you'll forget it.) So later that night or the
next day, work it into your speech. Make it part of your own.
4.

Take different kinds of classes. If you're in a class that meets every day, that's pretty good. You
need exposure as often as possible. But you know what's better? Being in two classes so you're
speaking all the time. One could be a big ol' group class that teachers you grammar and all that
boring stuff and one could be a one-on-one course that gives you that individualized attention
and concentration on your speech. Weekends aren't freebie non-English days, either!

o There's also accent reduction classes, business classes, travel classes, and many other
topicalized English classes. Heck, if you're into cooking, take a class (in English) about
cooking. Maybe there's an intramural sports team or gym class you could join? If you
find something you're interested in, you'll be interested in it in English, too.
5.

Create reasons to speak English. In order to become more than just a mediocre speaker of
English, you have to take control of your life and force English into it. You have to let it infiltrate
every domain of your life -- not just school or in your class. All of them. How to do that? Here
are some ideas:

o You have friends that are studying English too, right? Form a study group. Even though
they're not native speakers, just getting your mind thinking in English is useful. You'll
learn from each other and provide a non-stressful environment for learning.
o Set up your home as a welcome place for tourists and foreigners looking to get situated
in your county. There are a number of websites you can get into like AirBnB,
Couchsurfing, Hospitality Club, BeWelcome, and Global Free loaders. Then you'll have to
speak English at home!
6.

Find others online. But when the tourists aren't knocking down your door, what do you do? Get
on chat rooms, of course! (The safe ones, please.) So many people are just looking to talk. And if
you find a friend, you can do video or voice chats, too.

o There are chat rooms dedicated to everything. You do not have to enter a chat room
called Strangers 101. Pick an interest of yours and do a quick search for those chatting
about it.
o Not your cup of tea? Then how about interactive video games like World of Warcraft or
Second Life? You can assume an identity and still hone your skills.
o Get a penpal! PenPal World and Pen-Pal are two sites you should get to checking out.
The person on the other end is probably looking for the same thing you are.
Part 3

Training Your Brain

1.

Aim for new phrases every day. If that pocket dictionary and notebook isn't being used, you'll
need to find another way to start expanding your vocabulary. In the books that you read, the
Internet sites that you visit, the TV you watch, pick a couple of words to write down and to make
a conscious effort of using. It's the only way you'll remember them!

o If you don't use it, you'll lose it. Have all these words in a notebook that you can refer
back to whenever you need. Take the time to go through it on occasion and have those
lightbulb moments of the words you've forgotten.
2.

Learn phonemic script. It may seem tedious, but it'll be totally worth it. The International
Phonetic Alphabet is a system of symbols that correlate to sounds. If you run into a word you
don't know how to pronounce, all you gotta do is look it up. The IPA is right there, you can read
it, and tada! You know exactly how to pronounce it. It's almost like magic.

o Since English is so messed up -- being the child of German, French, and Latin (and
sprinklings of around 247 others) -- learning the IPA is primo. It's not such an issue for
languages like Spanish where the sounds are fairly consistent. C'mon, "cough," "rough,"
"through?" What is going on?!
3.

Consider rewards or penalties. It sounds a little harsh, but give it a second. Let's say you set up
an "English only" rule at the dinner table at home (a really good idea, by the way); how long will
it last? Probably not very long. But if you have some type of incentive program (if we speak only
English for two weeks straight, we'll go out to eat, etc.) or punishment ($1 for every time the
native language gets spoken, say), it'll be a lot more likely to stick.

o These should be rules for your home, definitely -- you want to avoid slipping back to
your native tongue as much as possible -- but they're good ideas for your classes or
study groups, too. Maybe in your study group if someone doesn't speak English, they're
bringing the food next time!
4.

Don't overthink it. If you do get in the presence of an English speaker, it's so easy to just have
your mind freeze up, your body freeze up, and have every single word of English you know
escape you. You end up stuttering if you can get anything out at all and leave feeling terrible,
never wanting to speak English again. Rest assured it's not just you!

o This happens to all of us. All. That's 8 Ls. The only way to avoid it is just to realize that it's
not that big of a deal, it'll end shortly, and no one's going to judge you for it. English is
becoming so prominent all over the world that even native speakers are used to hearing
all different levels. You won't say anything they haven't heard before!
 5.

Be patient. Above all else, you need to be patient. Learning a language is a process that can take
years. If you get frustrated with yourself, you risk quitting. That would yield the worst results of
all! So don't be so hard on yourself -- it'll come. It will. You gotta trust.

o The easiest way to not get super fed up with all of this is to have a good way to check
your progress. That means keeping the same notebook, filling it up, rewatching those
shows that you have mastered now, and once in a while revisiting things that used to be
difficult. The reminder of how awesome you're getting will be quite the boost!

http://www.wikihow.com/Improve-Your-English-Speaking-Skills