How can I improve my speaking skills without taking speech class?

Question

I have trouble explaining things. In other words, I have trouble putting my thoughts into words. Often when I talk, I have trouble picking the best words to explain something. Often I choose poor wording and people don’t exactly understand what I was trying to say to them. Also it takes a lot of mental energy for me. Often I have to mentally prepare what I have to tell a person before hand so I can explain things to them effectively. When I write, I don’t have as much of a problem because I have more time to paraphrase what I am trying to say, but when I talk, it’s a struggle. Can you tell me some tips and tricks in what I can do to improve at this? Do you know any exercises I can do to improve my speech? Thank you very much!

Answer 1

Absolutely yes..you can improve. I can relate to everything you are saying about public speech!

It would take an entire page to explain my technique but here are a few gerenral basics:

I always write out what I want to say first, then condense it into bullet points. That way, I am forced to condense my points.

Since I sometimes have panic attacks before speaking, I put myself in the mental state that I am an actor delivering lines from my script with no room for improvisation (helps also to take drama lessons)

When addressing a large crowd, answering questions, etc. (such as a city council meeting) I meter my breathing so I relax and remember to take breaths. I speak slowly and clearly, and address the person who asked the question. I finish the question my looking at the crowd and smiling.

Make eye contact - you can "read" your audience by whether or not you are engaging them or if you have lost them completely. Change directions or ask if there are any questions if you've "lost" your audience.

The one minute rule: One minute of talking per the lowest age of your audience, up to 20 minutes. So, if you are talking to high schoolers, they will only be able to focus an average of 14 minutes.

If you want more tips, please email me.

Answer 2

RE:
How can I improve my speaking skills without taking speech class?
I have trouble explaining things. In other words, I have trouble putting my thoughts into words. Often when I talk, I have trouble picking the best words to explain something. Often I choose poor wording and people don’t exactly understand what I was trying to say to them. Also it takes a lot of...

Answer 3

Reading aloud, initially to nobody, eventually for others is very
helpful. You can (in the shower), imagine giving a weather
report. If you don't like how you said something, stop
and say it again.

The point is, you develop your own style and banter and
can critique it with no-one to make fun of you.

Ultimately, however, practice practice practice. You start
in private, but eventually, you go public.

You get to the point where talking to thousands of people
you don't know is easy and talking to 3 you do is painful.

Any actor will tell you that auditions (few people, just the
director, are watching you) is far more intimidating than
playing to a full house.

Answer 4

Well you could have a friend help you by asking you questions and have you quickly answer them. If not a friend a parent or relaive that you are really comfortable with. If this doesn't help, don't be afraid to go ahead and take speech class. It helps out a lot and you have a group of people going through the same thing you are.

Answer 5

My father always said, "Think before you speak". There for, think about the comment or answer before you blurt it out. If you have warning what the conversation will be like then make some mental notes on what would be taken by someone as an intelligent observation and what sounds like bull sh*t.
Talk to your friends on what is a common answer and what is "out there".
Also, try reading out loud. This helps with your words being fluent...so you don't use the word "like" 20 times and sound dumb.
By all means, if you don't have and answer or comment that fits the subject don't try to make one up. Let it sit or change the conversation to something you know about. Never try to be the center of attention in a conversation or it will be one sided, mainly by you.
Keep your wits about you, you will do fine. Take one day at a time and don't over analyze anything.

Answer 6

The best thing would be to practice reading aloud. This exercise will help imporve your eye and audio coordination. Speaking aloud will help you understand and take in what you are saying in more than one way. You may also want to think about have casual conversations about anything. This will help for when it matters and you MAY need to give a speech. Always remember, that not speaking is not a bad thing. In the words of Abraham Lincoln, "Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, then to speak up and remove all doubt."

Answer 7

1. Is english your second language?

If so an ESL class would be most beneficial. Also, try reading novels and other literature to help with pronunciation.

2. If English is your primary languge (home) then you could have some type of speech imparment.



For case 1 go to the library more often.

For case 2 talk to your Dr.

Answer 8

There's a few things I did - I sang - funny huh? I mean, I sang in the shower, when i was walking around; the issue is not just enunciation, but also the ability to do it well in front of an audience. I finally broke down and took a speech class; was great! Learned NOT to say "Uh" or "uhm" EVER which helps tremendously - if you're presenting to a board, you want to be confident and not say those two sounds EVER - I would recommend just taking it.

Answer 9

How do you improve in anything? Practice! Start conversations with people around you everywhere you go. The more you speak the more comfortable you will be in speech. Don't expect it to be something overnight, rather something that you always work on. Oh and relax, and slow down your speech aswell so you have time to think.

Answer 10

You could take a writing class. This will help you putting your thoughts together.

You can read and recite well written essays.

You can prerehearse conversations, even writing them out.

You can take a speech class (I know, but it will help) or join Toastmasters. Nothing helped my speaking better than experience. It is the only way to get rid of the fear.