Public Speaking and Its Drawbacks

[Me-Ike]

I give English lessons for adults at a night school. Today was my first day with a new class; ie. new people, fresh start. This class is relatively advanced; for example, we cover the tenses quite intensely.

Anyway, although I have been doing this for about a year now and feel like I managed a certain routine, as soon as a bunch of new faces were sitting in front of me I grew as excited and nervous as the first time I have ever stood in front of a class. But okay, I deal and after a while I'll settle down.

This class, though ... I could hear crickets. Lots of blank faces staring back at me waiting to entertain them. Granted, first day, I'm nervous. Maybe it started of a little stilted. I know I will hit my stride again. But in my stupidity I decided to cut the class short an entire 45 minutes (it usually lasts two hours) because I reasoned that on the first day I might do this and because I really didn't get a lot of reactions out of them. I didn't want to subject them to another load of grammar after I had just drenched them in some for the first time and especially because they didn't really take it that well. I just didn't want to pull answers so deeply out of their noses that I ended up picking bogeys.

Yeah, "Jens" (that is his real name, I just decided to be condescending) didn't like that. After clarifying that it was me and not his watch that went wrong, I dismissed them anyway and promised to add the 45 minutes another time. He was of course perfectly right to complain (I just didn't like his is-my-watch-broken routine), but this and the entire reaction of the class during the course really make my head hang in shame tonight.

So please, pick me up by relating your worst encounter with the masses. If it's entertaining, you may also tell positive tales of how you wooed entire mobs and made them do your bidding. Or just talk about public speaking in general. Do you like it? Hate it? Always have to imagine everyone being in their underwear? Tell me everything!

 

[Count Zero]

I don't like it and I'm always very nervous before and also often during speaking, although it usually doesn't show. One thing I found very useful is thinking up one or two funny remarks (I never had to speak as long as you, so you might need more) that I could use at certain points. At least in Germany, people will laugh even at lame jokes in that situation and it helps break the ice.
I wouldn't worry too much about what happened tonight. I'm sure it'll all work out.

 

[Mr. B]

I wouldn't want to diminish the difficulty of teaching effectively by comparing it to public speaking which is generally so much easier as it's one way communication. Not only do you have be interesting enough to hold attention beyond the normal human span but you also have to engage the audience and get to actively participate.

Before I knew this topic involved teaching I was just going to mention I take solace in the knowledge that everyone will soon forget my speech regardless of how interesting it might be so I don't worry about embarrassment... obviously that would be no comfort to you.

 

[Me-Ike]

I don't like it and I'm always very nervous before and also often during speaking, although it usually doesn't show. One thing I found very useful is thinking up one or two funny remarks (I never had to speak as long as you, so you might need more) that I could use at certain points. At least in Germany, people will laugh even at lame jokes in that situation and it helps break the ice.
I wouldn't worry too much about what happened tonight. I'm sure it'll all work out.

I think I did shoot off one or two lame jokes (my mind is currently working on making it all a blur; I've trained it well), but even though I had a few laughs on my side people still weren't participating very well. Maybe Germans do tend to laugh at lame jokes, they just don't know that pleasing my ego usually follows after.
But thanks, I am equally certain that things will work out eventually. I just haven't reached that level of mental detachment yet.

I wouldn't want to diminish the difficulty of teaching effectively by comparing it to public speaking which is generally so much easier as it's one way communication. Not only do you have be interesting enough to hold attention beyond the normal human span but you also have to engage the audience and get to actively participate.

Before I knew this topic involved teaching I was just going to mention I take solace in the knowledge that everyone will soon forget my speech regardless of how interesting it might be so I don't worry about embarrassment... obviously that would be no comfort to you.

True. But I thought talking about all kind of SNAFUs in front of a bunch of people is a more open topic than only teaching.

So you have also stood in front of a group of people who were most certainly all judging your very existence at that moment? How did you fare/like it? Why did you have to hold a speech?

 

[Count Zero]

Well, there's university where I had to give my share of presentations. Come to think of it, there was one very unpleasant presentation, which to various circumstances stretched out over three sittings. I know I was in trouble when after the first ten minutes the professor intervened as I wanted to move on to the next motif (the topic was one of the friezes of the Pergamon altar). He really loves to interrupt presentations for rather long monologues, which doesn't really help when you're nervous. He also interrupted me a few time to 'correct' my pronunciation of Ancient Greek words (the pronunciation rules were basically made up by Erasmus of Rotterdam, and there is really more than one acceptable way of pronouncing things, so he was just being an ass ). In short, it was a nightmare - a nightmare that just wouldn't stop. I felt really bad before each of the subsequent two sittings. The first one took place on my birthday, to boot.

When I still studied physics I was elected one of the two student representatives of the faculty council. Every year we handed out awards to the professors who scored best in the students' evaluation. This was combined with the ceremony for graduates. I had to hold a speech at that occasion but I did pretty well.

 

[Mr. B]

I took a public speaking class (required for degree) a couple years ago and later a course called "small group communication." I had a great teacher who was largely able to put students at ease. I wouldn't call the class fun but it was pleasant enough and I learned a lot. Over the semester each of us prepared and delivered about a dozen speeches and participated in one debate (that was fun). Most notably, I say "um" far too much.

Outside of speech classes I've only had to give a handful of oral presentations to small groups which isn't a big deal. For me, my nervousness or lack thereof hinges on my grasp of the subject matter compared to the people I'm addressing. What I've had to do is nothing compared to what architecture students endure and your basic thesis defense.

 

[Me-Ike]

Well, there's university where I had to give my share of presentations. Come to think of it, there was one very unpleasant presentation, which to various circumstances stretched out over three sittings. I know I was in trouble when after the first ten minutes the professor intervened as I wanted to move on to the next motif (the topic was one of the friezes of the Pergamon altar). He really loves to interrupt presentations for rather long monologues, which doesn't really help when you're nervous. He also interrupted me a few time to 'correct' my pronunciation of Ancient Greek words (the pronunciation rules were basically made up by Erasmus of Rotterdam, and there is really more than one acceptable way of pronouncing things, so he was just being an ass ). In short, it was a nightmare - a nightmare that just wouldn't stop. I felt really bad before each of the subsequent two sittings. The first one took place on my birthday, to boot.

When I still studied physics I was elected one of the two student representatives of the faculty council. Every year we handed out awards to the professors who scored best in the students' evaluation. This was combined with the ceremony for graduates. I had to hold a speech at that occasion but I did pretty well.

I know that kind of professor.
You are already sweating enough to supply half of Europe with salt and they still need to butt in. Forever. Good to hear that you nonetheless decided to be awesome during that latter speech.

I will also have the class from tonight on my birthday, but it's still a little while off. I plan to win them over with my unresistable charme until then. Either that or chocolate.

Most notably, I say "um" far too much.

Most people have little quirks, even those used to speaking in public. Most just tend to be less commonly known that 'um' and therefore far less obvious. One of my profs, for example, always said 'yes' after every sentence. Hardly anyone noticed.

Outside of speech classes I've only had to give a handful of oral presentations to small groups which isn't a big deal. For me, my nervousness or lack thereof hinges on my grasp of the subject matter compared to the people I'm addressing.

Ah yes, that I can relate to. Which is especially frightening when you teach something as it happens comparatively frequently that a question comes up and I just don't have a clue. I am still working on my nonchalance in those cases.

What I've had to do is nothing compared to what architecture students endure and your basic thesis defense.

I can imagine! Talking to a bunch of people is scary. Having said people only gathered in order to take you apart must be horror.

 

[cyph]

I've always enjoyed public speaking, and I'm always impressed by those that have to do it daily, like teachers and presenters. For me, it's a bit of a treat, because I get to flex some phonetic flair! I used to be in a spoken word poetry crew, and our mentor, a career spoken word artist, raised us with the notion that public speaking is a performance art, and should be treated as such. So, even with the most academic and dry content, if presented with right structure, vocal presence and showmanship, can still be quite a captivating speech/lecture.

One key note I took from an advanced public speaking class was interactivity; usually when listeners and attendees aren't feeling you, you'll see eyes wandering and arms crossing. Also, the more you allow them this type of body language, the more it affects their mind set in listening to you. So, an innocent arms cross at the beginning mind turn to a full on head slumped into the desk nap. Keeping the kids on their toes by tossing out questions and giving hand outs for them to hold on to and look helps enormously! And of course, using relate-able similes helps that rapport building.

I actually have a presentation tomorrow at USC, and I'll be speaking to a group of students about the history of Filipino writing script... Every time I do this presentation it's different, but I'm quite excited!

Anyways, good luck. I wouldn't say don't be nervous, because nervous energy can be diverted into good presentation! Speak loud and clear, and basically... talk with passion; as if what you're talking about is so interesting. Because if you have the confidence in your voice that what you're talking about is cool, then the listeners might be inclined to listen to figure out why you're so passionate about it!

~cyph

 

[An Officer]

I used to really dislike public speaking when I was younger. Then I took on a job which completely smashed through that... I think I went through a sort of pain barrier at that time, and I'm now more comfortable speaking to a few thousand people than I am with say three or four.

 

[Me-Ike]

^ I agree wholeheartedly that even the most boring topic can be rendered at least semi-interesting by a captivating speaker. It's not really a quality I possess, but I usually get by quite well by being, as you pointed out, passionate about English. As soon as the nervousness has settled down, I should be able to tap into that again.

Good luck tomorrow! Flexing phonetic flair, having been in a spoken word poetry crew ... I already feel like I'd want to listen to you. The only thing that comes close for me is that I get to talk English and switch to an accent of my choicenwith every new class.

 

[Count Zero]

So, even with the most academic and dry content, if presented with right structure, vocal presence and showmanship, can still be quite a captivating speech/lecture.

That is so true. I once had one professor who spoke remarkably well - charming, inspired, sharp and witty. He once spent an entire lecture on the intricacies of the reconstruction of a bunch of inscriptions. Normally, a topic as boring as it sounds, he was able to present it in an entertaining way. It was always a pleasure listening to his lectures.

 

[Joshua Howard]

lol, My first time on a storewide Wal-Mart Supercenter intercom comes to mind. I was new and had never used the telephone system in the store before; a customer needed something that required a manager, and as I recall, I did a very poor and messed up job. After a while, however, I made it to the front end and got through Christmas, and I became good enough at paging that other nervous employees began coming to me fairly regularly to get out of having to do it themselves.

If I have to stick to certain very strict pre-planned lines, I tend to show tension when standing in front of a bunch of folks. If the whole bit is more casual, not so much. In any case, I can relate to how you likely feel.

 

[Me-Ike]

I used to really dislike public speaking when I was younger. Then I took on a job which completely smashed through that... I think I went through a sort of pain barrier at that time, and I'm now more comfortable speaking to a few thousand people than I am with say three or four.

This afternoon I thought I was the same! Having taught for an entire year made me think I'd be cool. Which was probably my downfall. I shouldn't have metaphorically wiggled my naked butt in the face of fear with karma in earshot.

 

[Count Zero]

I know that kind of professor.

Yeah. He wasn't that bad a guy, really, just totally oblivious to how much he screwed up people's carefully planned presentations with his behaviour. At the time, I was also sort of ...infatuated with him, which didn't help matters, either.
The night before one of the parts of my presentation-mess, I had a weird nightmare about him. I dreamed that he had taken the museum's janitor or technician hostage in his office. Then the SEK (German SWAT team) came and blast one of the doors of the museum open. Worried that they might damage the exhibits (well, further - WWII hasn't been too kind to most of the architecture parts exhibited there) he eventually gave up.
At one point during the presentation he said to me that I didn't need to be afraid of him and I just wanted to yell, "You don't know half of it!"

Good to hear that you nonetheless decided to be awesome during that latter speech.

Actually, those speeches came before the messed up presentation. I failed physics eventually and then decided to study archeology.


Oh, and good luck with your presentation, cyph!

 

[Michael]

Or just talk about public speaking in general. Do you like it? Hate it?

I hate it! I'm a rather shy person and really dislike large groups of people. So being the center of attention is the greatest horror for me. I just can't concentrate and forget everything I wanted to say. I also think it's the biggest downside of studying; that you still have to do those stupid presentations. It's really frustrating, because if you're not particularly articulate, people jump to the conclusion that you don't know very much. But most of the time that's not the case. It's just that I hate to speak in front of so many people.

Funnily enough, I have no problem with doing karaoke ...

 

[An Officer]

I would have given them a cig break so they can all loosen up. Cig breaks can transform an entire room. It's a foul habit, but needs must...

 

[Mr. B]

^ I agree wholeheartedly that even the most boring topic can be rendered at least semi-interesting by a captivating speaker.

+1 ...especially with teaching. When the instructor has a clear passion for the subject matter they are much more likely to be compelling and hold my attention. I had an introductory architecture class a while back taught by a local architect who wasn't the best speaker but was clearly enthralled with the profession and it made the class very interesting. Conversely, I had the displeasure of enduring an art history course not long ago taught by a very educated man who spends him summers traveling the world to see the artworks he talks about but conveyed absolutely no real interest in what he was talking about. It was painful.

 

[iguana_tonante]

I've done my fair share of presentations at grad school and various conferences and I'm of a split mind on this.

On one hand, I really hate it: I agonize over every detail, I can't sleep for three days (well, not really, but still) and just I'm a nervous wreck over and over. Until the presentation begin.

Then I snap. Not only I feel calm and confident, but I actually had a great time, enjoying myself immensely and trying to engage people as much as I can (well, scientific conference are not the most exciting talk on the Earth, but I do my best to keep a bit of verve in the presentation).

Next presentation: rinse and repeat.

As for a particularly uneasy event, I had an informal talk on a particular methodology I developed with my supervisor. I was giving the lecture, when a quite important member of the faculty found a critical fault in my methods and proceeded to rip me a new one. No excuses, I screwed up and I deserved it. But while I was exposed to the public shame, my supervisor just stood there, staring vacantly around the hall, without saying a word, and clearly evading my looks. I didn't say anything about her involvement in the mess (obviously), but it was really an unpleasant experience, for more than one reasons.

 

[Amaris]

I have no problem speaking in front of large or small crowds. I have become so comfortable, over time, with my speaking, I could walk out in my underwear and not break my stride or forget my notes.


J.

 

[cyph]

As for a particularly uneasy event, I had an informal talk on a particular methodology I developed with my supervisor. I was giving the lecture, when a quite important member of the faculty found a critical fault in my methods and proceeded to rip me a new one. No excuses, I screwed up and I deserved it. But while I was exposed to the public shame, my supervisor just stood there, staring vacantly around the hall, without saying a word, and clearly evading my looks. I didn't say anything about her involvement in the mess (obviously), but it was really an unpleasant experience, for more than one reasons.

Ouch! I can't imagine when someone proves you wrong or points out a flaw and continues to chew you out! There will always be haters out there, sometimes for a fair reason, sometimes for no reason at all. Standing your ground is a big thing though; even if there was a flaw, I think it'd be best to instead of stopping the person or apologizing, rather divert the person's attention to a tangent. Along the lines of "Ah, very good point, I'm glad you pointed this out as it hasn't occurred to me! Well, lets take that situation and build on top of it using the aforementioned methods..."

I remember one time when I was presenting at a conference at the Univ. of Illinois Chicago, I was speaking about, again, ancient Filipino writing. Then this guy out of nowhere asks an imposing question: "How do you know what you're reading and writing is correct? Aren't there hundreds of different ways to read and write the script? So how can you call yourself an expert or even speak about it if you don't know them all?" This could've been bad if I just crumbled or replied, "I don't know..." But F*CK THAT! I think I replied along the lines of "Yes, this is quite true and I'm glad you brought it up. I was trained in so-and-so way, and it's a belief of mine that a standardization of the script needs to be developed yada-yada-yada..."

It's one thing to admit you're wrong, but it's another thing to acknowledge a correct statement and build on top of it!