“Teacher, I’m so afraid of speaking in front of the class! Every time I go to the board, my heart races, my hands and feet tremble, I stutter, and I can’t remember anything!” – Are you one of the students who has experienced that feeling? The feeling of being “disconnected” from the outside world when you have to stand in front of a crowd?
Speaking in Class: The Doorway to Success
Speaking in class is not just about how we communicate with teachers and friends. It’s also an opportunity for us to express ourselves, practice communication skills, cultivate knowledge, and even build good relationships. The more confident and fluent we are in communication, the easier it is for us to absorb knowledge, share ideas, and create good impressions in the eyes of teachers and friends.
Understanding the Root Causes of Fear of Speaking in Class
According to Dr. Nguyen Van A, author of the book “Effective Communication Skills,” the fear of speaking in class often stems from the following main causes:
- Lack of confidence: You don’t believe in yourself, your abilities, and are afraid of being judged or ridiculed.
- Anxiety about attention: You are afraid of everyone focusing on you, being stared at, and making mistakes in front of an audience.
- Limited communication experience: You haven’t had many opportunities to practice and develop communication skills, leading to a lack of confidence when you have to speak in class.
- Pressure from family and friends: Academic pressure and expectations from family and friends can make you feel stressed and anxious when you have to speak in class.
Tips to Overcome the Fear of Speaking in Class: From Confidence to Brilliance
Like the proverb “Constant dripping wears away the stone,” to overcome the fear of speaking in class, we need to persistently practice and train. Here are some tips to help you feel more confident when you have to speak up in class:
1. Practice Communication Skills:
- Practice speaking in front of a mirror: Stand in front of a mirror, confidently express your ideas, and focus on body language, tone of voice, and demeanor.
- Participate in mini-presentations: Create opportunities to express yourself by organizing mini-presentations with friends or family.
- Join public speaking clubs: Joining public speaking or debate clubs will help you practice public speaking skills, enhance self-confidence, and improve communication skills.
2. Build a Positive Mindset:
- Believe in yourself: Remember that everyone has their own strengths. Focus on your strengths and believe in your abilities.
- Positive attitude: Think positively, see speaking in class as an opportunity to express yourself, cultivate knowledge, and connect with people.
- Use the “Positive Thinking” method: This method is recommended by many psychologists and helps you change negative thoughts into positive ones.
3. Prepare Thoroughly:
- Understand the topic: Thoroughly understand the topic you need to present, gather information, create a clear outline, and prepare supporting materials.
- Practice the content: Practice the content you need to present many times to remember it clearly and feel more confident when speaking in class.
- Choose appropriate attire: Neat, appropriate attire for the context will help you feel more confident.
4. Control Emotions:
- Deep breathing: Deep and steady breathing helps you calm down, control your emotions, and focus on the content you need to present.
- Focus on the message: Focus on the message you want to convey instead of worrying about the audience’s reactions.
- Connect with the audience: Try to create a connection with the audience by making eye contact, using appropriate body language, and sharing stories and examples that capture attention.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How to remember content when speaking in class? Practice many times, break down the content into smaller parts, use mind maps or flashcards for support.
- How to overcome the fear of being stared at? Look at friendly classmates or focus on a fixed point on the wall.
- How to stay calm when speaking in class? Take deep breaths, remember positive things, and focus on the message you want to convey.
Suggested Other Articles:
- How to Improve Effective Communication Skills
- Tips for Practicing Public Speaking
- Analyzing Common Mistakes When Speaking in Class
Note: Remember that everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses. Instead of comparing yourself to others, focus on developing yourself and believing in your abilities. Professor Nguyen Thi B, a psychology expert, once shared: “The key to success is persistence, self-belief, and continuous learning.”
Please contact us via phone number: 0372888889 or visit the address: 335 Nguyen Trai, Thanh Xuan, Hanoi. We have a 24/7 customer care team to help you overcome your fear of speaking in class and shine in the classroom!
