Well, my speech class just gave and survived the first speech of the semester: the personal experience. I think this is the speech that a lot of students struggle with. First of all, they don't feel that they have done anything "important" enough for a speech. They spend days trying to think of a topic and lose out on a lot of work time.
Second, it is always difficult to figure out all of the parts of the speech and how to be present them to a new audience that you feel is judging you and your story. Some students feel like the need to be humorous and some feel the need to tell a very deep, personal story.
But in the end, either type of story works fine. This speech is more of a chance for students to 'get their feet wet' in the speaking field. Some get so nervous that they start shaking and knocking their knees together. '
As a teacher, I think most students think that I can't relate to their issues because I love to speak in front of audiences....duh, I'm the speech teacher! But in reality, I still get nervous when I am asked to speak in front of a group. A few years ago during a pep rally, I got handed a microphone without know I was going to have to speak. I was tongue-tied, and fumbled through my thoughts. Afterwards, I told myself, "hmm, so this is what my students feel like?"
Since then, I've always tried to take at least one step back and remember that lesson I was taught that day. So my question is...does stage fright ever go away? Do you remember a time when you were embarrassed as a speaker?
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