How Can You Develop Public Speaking Skills and Confidence in Young Students?

Public speaking skills can be developed over time. It requires a lot of preparation and practice. A simple guideline can be prepared to help the young students to acquire the skills needed instead of allowing them to get overwhelmed. Proper guidance and training have to be provided to the young learners so that they can learn these skills with perfection. For any given occasion the following points have to be remembered:

1. PLAN THE PRESENTATION: ANALYZE THE PURPOSE AND AUDIENCE:

a) First of all the topic has to be chosen properly. The aim of such training should be to help them learn how to stay focused, how to assess the age group and the interest of the audience.
b) The students may be allowed to select topics on their own in the beginning. Then they can be given topics at random. The students can be taught to follow the sequences discussed below to prepare their presentations.

2. FIND OUT HOW MUCH TIME YOU HAVE BEEN ALLOCATED FOR THE SPEECH:

It is very important to plan well ahead of time and allocate time wisely for each segment. Once that has been done practice repeatedly so that you can finish within the allocated time.

3. GATHERING INFORMATION:

a) Collecting age appropriate content is very important.
b) Enough importance should be given on selecting material that are authentic.
c) Presentations should not be based on assumptions and vague statements. Each and every important point has to be backed by statistical evidence or citation of an authentic journal or textbook, etc.
c) It is always better to collect more information than necessary. Then the presentation can be edited properly to suit the need.

4. WRITING / COMPOSING THE SPEECH:

INTRODUCTION:
a) Begin with an interesting story or example that will introduce the topic.
b) Cite a startling statistic.
c) Ask a rhetorical question that you don't expect your audience to answer that will start them thinking about the topic.

BODY OF THE PRESENTATION:
Present the main points, develop them in detail. Be specific and concrete; use facts, examples, and where appropriate, statistics. While moving from one point to the next, remind the audience of the summary or the main point of the previous segment so that everybody can be on the same page.

CONCLUSION:
a) Allow for some activities. For example: pose some scenarios, where the audience can split into groups and implement the ideas presented and solve the problems.
b) Refer again to the opening sentences of your presentation.
c) Remind your audience of the benefits they will receive if they follow your recommendations

5. MAKING THE NOTES:

Once the speech has been prepared, some points can be followed:
a) Use standard-sized papers or note cards to write down the main points. This allows the presenter to practice the speech without memorizing, and improves the flow of the presentation
b) Indicate in your notes where the visual aids will be used.
c) Number your note cards or pages.

6. PREPARING THE VISUAL AIDS:

a) The use of note cards can these days be eliminated with the use of power point slides. Highlighting the main points, numbering the segments, sequencing the presentation etc., can be done with the slides.
b) The students should, start to learn how to use computer software to aid oral presentations. This is the demand of this age of technology. The younger generation has to master both skills.
c) Visual clues pertaining to the presentation can be introduced through the slides.
d) The Power Point program also has the feature where the presentation can be printed out in the form of a handout, allowing the audience to take notes.
e) Visual aids also keep the audience engaged and interested.
f) Posters can also be prepared. On some occasions overhead projectors can also be used.
g) Keep the visual aids simple, neat and professional looking. It does not have to be too fancy to startle the audience or to shift away from the original topic.
h) For younger audience, make the aids more enjoyable.

7. PRACTICING THE SPEECH:

a) A lot of time has to be put into the preparation. The more you practice, the more you will be familiar with the content and the more confident you will be.
b)This will also make you appear more knowledgeable. You can also learn how to finish on time.
c) Practice your speech out loud. Pay attention to your voice, posture, and gestures.
d) Pay attention to practicing how to make eye contacts and appear convincing.
e) Prepare and practice well in advance. That will alleviate the stage fright.

8. CHECKING THE ARRANGEMENTS:

For some public speaking events, preparations will include arranging for a room and equipment. Even if someone else is responsible for those duties, it may be a good idea to double check.

9. ALLOW TIME FOR QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS:

Any successful presentation generates more questions and facilitates conversation. Therefore, a few minutes should always be allowed for Q & A. This clarifies some points and minimizes confusion. The audience can get divided into groups. Young children like group interactions. They can be given topic based activities to complete before or after the speech.

10. APPEARANCE AND DRESS:

a) A final consideration in the preparation for your presentation is your own appearance and dress. Impeccable grooming with professional styles and colors are almost always preferable.
b) This may vary a little bit with the age group and profession of the audience.