If I'm not good with speaking in front of a class....?

Question

Like, I'm 15 and absolutely hate when the teacher calls on me to go up in front of the class for something, I dread it, and get so nervous and I shake when I'm nervous too. It sux. But If I'm not good with stuff like that, will I not be a good elementary school teacher? Cuz that's what I'm thinking of being. Just to teach like kindergardners and 1rst graders and maybe even up to 4th...

Answer 1

I am 15 also...you are completely abnormal in this fear, you must have some serious facial deformities, eternal ugliness and cowardice to be afraid to go up in front of your peers and should be shunned as what you are...The ENTIRE time your up there every1 is saying in their head..ewww..look at her big nose.



haha...I'm J/p.

Just relax, it's normal to be a little afraid but a little bit of that whiteout in your pocket makes everything better ;).

Answer 2

I had this fear when I was your age.I would always try to sit in the back of the class and hide hoping the teacher wouldn't had to call on me.What was worst .They did and it wasn't always a pleasant experience as I felt embarrassed
One thing I learned is that if you are not attentive towards discussion/class time a teacher will always call on you.Teachers love the "quiet students"
You need to build up your charisma.Talk in front of a mirror.Do not look down or away.This will help you ease your fear of speaking in front of a class.Have a session where your family is present and do a practice speech in front of them and ask for feedback.If your family isn't present;Ask a bunch of friends to do this session for you.
If you take elementary/secondary education at college.Be prepared for a lot of presentations.Teachers and professors will grade you on how well your presentations are.
You had received a lot of good answers and I do hope you will get over your fear of public speaking.

Answer 3

It is something you get used to. You just have to try to practice. Try to put yourself in those type situations. When someone wants a speaker for something, volunteer. Plus, when you go to college to become a teacher, you will have to do a lot of that kind of stuff as well as student teach, which is basically assist an actual teacher while you are still in college. These things are meant to get you used to this. They will do some of this stuff early on, and you will have a lot of opportunities as you go further in HS, so you will get the practice you need. Just make sure to practice a lot. I was nervous like that to, but when you have the knowledge of something and have a desire to make other people understand it, it helps to break that fear.

Answer 4

I was SO much like you... I HATED being picked... I always started sweating, and worse...never could remember anything.

The only thing I can say is the more you do it, the easier it gets. I finally got to the point where I said yanno what... it doesnt matter what anyone thinks of me... im just going to have fun up there. After a while, it got better.

I even went so far as to do open mic nights at the local comedy clubs when I was in college.

now, at age 39, i give speeches in front of groups at least once per month... it's second nature to me now.

Good luck, remember to breathe...and you will be fine!

Answer 5

Being nervous when the teach calls you to the front of the class absolutely does not mean that you will be a poor elementary school teacher.

I used to have a job where I gave technical presentations to engineers and was very nervous at first. Two keys to overcoming all that jitteryness, stuttering, dry mouth, and sweaty palms is: 1) practice, and 2) know what you're talking about!

1) Practice speaking by standing up (maybe in your room with the door closed) and rehearsing out loud what you're going to say. If you practice what you're going to say silently in your mind, you'll find that you'll still be stuttering with all the 'uh's and 'um's and 'ya know's when you're in front of the class. Remember, not practicing what your going to say by speaking out loud means that the first time you formally deliver your talk will be when you're in front of the class!! It will go so much smoother and easier if you've already stood up at home and practiced that talk five times before.

2) be familiar with whatever the subject is. Being comfortable with the material about which you will be talking, will make talking in front of the class less stressful. For example, if you're asked to get up and talk about how to tie your shoes, the only tough part will be getting up in front of the class (because you're already very familiar with the topic).

Now, all that I've said so far works if you need to prepare a speech ahead of time and give it when you're ready to. Of course you can't practice what you're going to say if you're picked to get in front of the room NOW. Solve that in the future by standing up and practicing a formal delivery at home. Maybe when your parents, brothers/sisters, or friends are watching TV, go stand in a corner of the room when a commercial comes on, face the TV watchers, and practice talking like you're in front of the class. Don't be laughing or talking casually, but take it seriously (ask them to help you by being serious too).

Talking in front of a roomful of people definitely becomes easier the more you do it, whether you're called up on the spot or need to give a prepared speech. (How nervous are any of YOUR teachers when they talk in front of the class?)

One final thing: whenever you must get up and talk, the most difficult time is the first thirty seconds. Once you're past that, the rest is easier.

PS - you're 15 and thinking about being a school teacher? That's a very admirable and commendable aspiration!! First, good luck with being called to go in front of the class.

Answer 6

You still have a lot of time till then and I bet you would make an excellent teacher because you know what it is like to be nervous and would know exactly what to do with a nervous student...think what you would say to them...to calm down, breath and speak clearly without fidgeting. Know your subject and you would be surprised..once you get in the swing of things you might even like it. Also a public speaking class would do you a world of good...good luck!

Answer 7

Maybe u should go speak to a class of 4th graders and see how that works out for you.... like in my school we had Dr. Seuss day and people from my high school would volunteer to go to the elementary classes and read them a book.... you should look it to that and see if ur school offers something like that. Maybe your just nervous cuz ur in front of people ur age and r worried about what they r gonna think about u. hope that helped!

Answer 8

It's so strange, but when you get nervous about speaking in front of people, make yourself smile. Even if you aren't really happy or relaxed, just moving your muscles into a smile releases relaxing chemicals in your brain that will help you to settle down. And little kids aren't as intimidating as your peers (maybe because they're so short!), so don't worry that you'll be afraid in front of them. Keep practicing; it will get easier!

Answer 9

Stage fright is common to all, even the adults and those seasoned speakers. Just have to keep doing. Also a battle of the mind. Our fears are often magnified in our mind, just relax, calm down. Try to get your thought collected. Speak slowly to give time to put your thoughts cohesively. Keep doing, it will & can get better!

Answer 10

at your age i was like you ...wanted to become a teacher and i did.. i was well in my mid twenties before i was able to stand up in front of people and talk about a subject...15 is young to have this courage but as you grow older it will come naturally and you will be fine......