What are the best ways to improve public speaking skills?

Answer 1

You need to get used to the sound of your own voice so read out loud whenever you can. You can read the ingredients from a packet of food, television listings etc. Make sure you speak slowly and remember to pause between each new thought. A lot of very useful information can be found on the site below.

Answer 2

I don't know how old you are and whether you live in the U.S., but there is a superb way to train yourself in public speaking. It's called the Toastmasters Club and it has chapters all over the country as well as overseas.
I've been a member of that club for many years and I dare say that I became quite a proficient public speaker through their training. The meetings are instructive, but fun as well. Membership dues are very reasonable.

Answer 3

I found that having my speech completely memorized, really helped. Start by writing down everything you are going to say, put slash marks in your speech wherever you want to break (breathe) and practise practise practise, making sure you look out at "audience" as often as possible. When you've got the speech down find some family members or friends who will seriously sit down and listen. Once the speech is memorized, it makes it easier to look at the audience and makes you look more comfortable, it also helps you to be able to use influctions in your speech that make the speech more interesting.
ASK your family or friends how it sounds, looks etc, and use their suggestions to make it better.
If you can get them to listen more than once you'll really have it made. Don't forget to look down at your notes occasionally, and remember to practise turning the cards in you hand as apart of it all, but once you've got it memorized DON'T try to actually read anything (trust me, you'll mess yourself up)
By the time you get "on stage" it won't be like you are speaking in public, it will all be autopilot and will sound fantastic. (knowing what you are going to say REALLY helps disuade the fear of saying it.)
The effect of this goes beyond just one speech... eventually you'll actually get better at impromptu situations.

Answer 4

join International Toastmasters.
pratice speaking in public often
pratice infront of a mirror or on video and assess your own skills.
practice using corret grammar and pronuniciation

Answer 5

practice actually speaking in public

Answer 6

try practising in front of the mirror