Introduction
Public speaking has been said to be feared by great number of individuals more than death. Speech anxiety is a very real problem and there is a number of strategies that can be used to over come this fear as well as become a better public speaker. As college age students it is significant at this point in time you learn to not only over come a fear of public speaking, but also learn to become confident public speakers.
Task
Learning to Overcome Speech Anxiety and Become a More Confident Public Speaker
Learners: College Age Public Speaking Students
Objectives:
- Identify causes of speech anxiety
- Tactics to overcome anxiety of speaking in public
- Learn to speak confidently
- Practicing speaking in front of groups of person
- Realworld application of being a confident public speaker
Standards:
- Students will all be expected to have had prior experience with public speaking/speech
Technology Tools:
- Computer
- Overhead
- Internet
Students will create a presentation using Technology to demonstrate what they have learned
Process
- Students will be put into groups of 3
- Students will then be required to research causes of speech anxiety
- After researching causes of speech anxiety, students will then find resources to dealing with speech anxiety
- In their groups students will then come up with tips and tricks to speaking more confidently in front of a large group of people
- Group members will then test out these tips and tricks-meaning go out into the community and speak in front of a large group of persons using the tips to dealing with speech anxiety and also your tips and tricks to sounding like a confident speaker
- Places where you may choose to go include: open mic nights, contact local businesses and ask to give a short relevant speech to all their stafff, ask instructors on campus if you can give a short presentation relevant to their class material...etc Be creative! Each group member must do this individually.
- After giving at least one speech in public practicing tips to dealing with speech anxiety and the list of tips and tricks your group created to becoming a better speaker, reflect as a group upon your experiences.
- A written paper should be handed in documenting your research gathered indcluding tips to dealing with speech anxiety, your groups tips and tricks to becoming a better speaker, your experiences in the community as a public speaker, your relflection/reaction of these experiences, and what you would change and/or do differently in the future.
- You will then present your findings to the class in a formal speech in 5-7 min.
Evaluation
Rubric-Paper
Speech anxiety thorughly research and credible sources gathered /5
Careful consideration, time, and effort put into tips and tricks to
becoming a confident speaker /5
Tips and tricks to becoming a confident speaker are realistic and
logical /5
Each group member individually contributed to speaking in the
community /15
Reflection is carefully thought out and gives specific examples /5
Each member clearly participated equally and the group worked
well with one another /5
Total /40
Rubric-Presentation
Clearly organized, flows smoothly and easy to follow /5
Clearly covers all content within paper /5
All group member have equal speaking time and equal contribute /5
Within time limits /5
Delivery-eye contact, tone, rate, pitch, volume /5
Total /25
Conclusion
Upon completion of this activity students will have researched the causes and possible ways to deal with speech anxiety. Students will also have gained first hand experience of speaking in the community and applying their tips and tricks to becoming a more confident speaker. Students will also have gained experience working in small groups and reflectiing upon what it takes to become a public speaker and the importance of being able to speak infront of a group of individuals.
