Why is it that I cannot handle speaking in front of my class?

Question

My class isn't really that big...about like 15-18 students and I have worked with some of them in groups more than once. We laughed, we talked. But when I have to do presentations I just freeze, get red in the face, and start to mumble uncontrollable. How can I stop that habit and become more comfortable?

Answer 1

Stage fear. this is very common. Don't talk to all of them. Focus on an individual and address your lecture to him/her. slowly shift to another. In few days your fear will be gone. Good luck.

Answer 2

This is not uncommon. Just think about it for a minute. You have worked with some of your classmates in groups -- you laughed, you talked. So you built a rapport with them and felt comfortable with them. Carry that over when you stand at the front of the room, and talk to the ones that you have worked with previously. Everyone will be listening, but just think of it as talking to one or two people at a time -- people you already know and like.
Many professional speakers do something very similar -- they pick out a few people in the audience, and speak directly to them. It's much less intimidating to talk to one or two people than it is to a group of people.
Once you get used to talking to your friends in the class, you will gradually feel more comfortable doing presentations.
Take heart, it WILL happen, and by the end of the term, you will stand up to do your presentations with confidence.

Answer 3

It really takes time, practice. Speak like you have nothing to lose - the best speakers are able to hold a conversation with a room that is almost personal(like you were just talking one on one).
It might even be you lack of passion for the subject, if you don't know alot about it(memory) then your bound to mess up.
Would making a peanut butter and jelly sandwhich in front of the class explaining how to do it as you went, make you mess up? Likely not.

If your presenatations allow it, don't use notes. Bring up a sheet of paper with your main points, bulleted and maybe a sentance or two about them. Memorize(not word for word) what you want to say about them. If you find yourself frusterated with one bullet move on to the next. Hopefully your allowed to choose your own topics do something you know. Research and preperation are key. Tell stories, relate things to real life situations. It makes your speech more personal and will grab the audiences attension.
Watch other people give speeches what do they do, look around the classroom. Learning from others is a great way to make yourself better.

Answer 4

What everybody else said. But also be familiar, if it is possible, w/ whatever topic you are having to speak about. If you are in a debate, do lots of research so you know it. If you are comfortable w/ a topic it is no big deal to do a talk. I have done several gardening talks for a group I belong to and though I prepared, I basically went up and talked, barely looked at my handout. And when I did the 2nd talk, I was flattered when someone came up to me and said he'd heard my talk before and how he had learned a lot. And if you run out of stuff to say, ask for questions from the audience! If you do not know the answer, say it is a good question, and you will research the answer.

Answer 5

It sounds silly but talk to yourself in the mirror. You have to find a comfortable place. Make sure you are familar with your topic, if you are confident in your material it will be easier to stay focused on the presentation. Don't look at individuals for approval or acknowledgement, concentrate on one person in the middle, and one on each side of the class. But dont' look at them for comfort, do that to appear as though you are addressing the entire class. (Which you are, but think of them as oblivous, don't worry about questions until the end).

If you have a friend or someone you know well, concentrate on that person the most, that is probably where your comfort level lies.

Good luck.....I am know for turning red all the time, if it helps and if it is appropriate throw out an icebreaker. Also, practice some impromtu subject speaking at home with you kids, friends, stuffed animals, you have to be comfortable.

Answer 6

Lots of very good answers.
For me, it's about practice. Start in an empty room at home, then maybe near a mirror (not right in front of it) and look every now and then. See if you can[get to class early or find an e,ty classroom to pratice in. It doesn't even have to be a presentation... read a book or a newspaper out loud. Get comfortable "hearing" yourself.

Then move on to just one person ("Can I try my presentation in front of you later?")

As you gain more confidence, then when you give your presenation, the answers you're read about focusing on one person are great! Maybe even warn that person first so they can give you a nod or wink as you go. You're going to get through this! But practice, concentrate, know your material inside-out, and don't give up!

It was piano recital... That night I played two notes, then sat there, frozen in front of over 100 people. I couldn't think.. my was fuzzy... I started shaking... I found out later it was 3 minutes (seemed like 30!). Nobody talked. But I looked out and saw encouragement and hope on their faces. I started playing, and nailed the piece (Chopin). I got over it. But the respect I earned was for not giving up and overcoming.

GO!!

Answer 7

You need to think of the class that you talk just like its a group you have worked with before, but just a bit larger. Try not to really focus on the fact that everyone is looking at you. Be focused on what you are speaking about and feel confident about being in front of the class.

Answer 8

When I took a part time job that required giving presentations, I thought I wouldn't be able to do it - I really needed the job, but I was terrified of public speaking. I bought books on it, but they didn't make me comfortable. So I made presentations to myself in the mirror, and even to my husband. But what helped the most was a group called Toastmasters International. They are a group who have meetings, and they have groups in almost every city, just like the Masons, Elks, etc. Look them up on line or in the local phone book, and sit in on the next meeting. Remember, most people aren't comfortable speaking in public, and we are all human, and therefore we make mistakes. Nobody's going to remember it a year from now, anyway, so don't worry when you do. But do call Toastmasters. It's a 1 hr meeting that will teach you how to become comfortable speaking in public.

Answer 9

You most likely have stage fright. Lots of people have it. It's unexplainable fear of speaking in front of an audience. It's actually a phobia. There are many things that people have unexplained fears of. Snakes, spiders, bugs, etc. There was even a man who was terrified of being around peaches. There are many theories as to why people have phobias. One theory is that something happened in the past that traumatized that person of a certain situation (public speaking) or a certain object (peaches). My advice would be to join a public speaking class. Then again I am not a professional, so you might want to try seeing a therapist. I'm sure someone who has had years and years of training in this stuff could help you better than I can.

Answer 10

I only found one way through it and that is to do it again and again.
It took me a long time because I was so self conscious and I thought it mattered so much what I said and how I said it.
Rehearse and reahearse also - the key (beside ecperience) is preparation - get your material ready well ahead of time - know it well and that adds alot of confidence.
Usually people like you and I are perfectionists and want it just so ( you may not be but that was part of my anxiety). But it doesn't have to be perfect - just you well prepared will always be adequate.
And remember - go slow, go slow, go slow - let your words come as relaxed as possible.

Answer 11

Try practicing with a friend in that class, and try not to dwell on the fact that you are giving a speech or presentation. When you start getting red in the face just pause, take a deep breath and continue on.