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We all have fears. We all have something that we are afraid of. What are you afraid of?

In this lesson plan, you can discuss the topic of fear with your students. Most students love to talk about their fears — real or imagined.

Why not download the full and complete lesson plan today? Just click the link down below.


Introduction

What are you afraid of?

Is fear real?

How can people deal with fear?

Some people are afraid. They don’t always understand why they have these fears but whatever they try to do these phobias still exist.

Becky is one such person.

“I’m afraid of the dark,” she says. “I know it sounds silly but I’ve always been afraid of the dark. Ever since I was a little kid. Even now I sleep with a little light on.”

Becky is thirty-two. Her fear of the dark doesn’t really cause major problems in her life, but keeping a small light on in the bedroom is not very comfortable for her husband.

“He prefers to sleep with no light on at all,” she says. “But I can’t do it. I need the security of the light.”

Becky is not sure why she has a fear of the dark but she suspects it started when she was a child.

“My older brother would always play tricks on me when I was a little girl. He would pretend to be a ghost and do stupid things to try to scare me.”

Another person with a very common fear is Nigel.

“I have arachnophobia,” he says. “A fear of spiders.” He shrugs his shoulders. “I’ve been afraid of spiders all my life.”

This causes some embarrassment in Nigel’s house as he and his girlfriend live in the countryside.

“In the summer, we get a lot of spiders coming into the house,” he says. “But if I see one, I go into a panic. I can barely move. My girlfriend has to pick it up and move it outside.”

Nigel knows why he is afraid of spiders.

“My mum is afraid of spiders,” he says. “Whenever she saw a spider, she would scream her head off. I watched this as a young boy and it stayed with me for life.”

Nigel has tried some methods to get rid of his fear of spiders.

“I’ve been to see a hypnotherapist,” he says. “That didn’t work. I had counselling. That failed too. I even tried picking up spiders to test myself but I just could not overcome my fear of them.”

One person that does understand where fears come from is Dr Jane Masters.

“The thing that both Becky and Nigel understand about their fears is where they came from,” says Dr Masters. “Fears usually start in our childhood and there is often little we can do to change that.”

So it looks like fears are with us for life.

“You can overcome it,” says Dr Masters. “You just have to understand that the fear is often irrational and not based on anything real. If you can come to terms with that then you can beat the fear easily.”

By using psychology, people can get over their fears. Sounds easy.

“Well, not always,” says Dr Masters. “I have a fear of needles. And I have never been able to get over it.”

A doctor with a fear of needles.

“I know,” she says. “Every time I see a needle, a shiver goes down my spine.”

Reading Comprehension Questions

What is Becky afraid of?

What is Nigel afraid of?

What is Jane afraid of?

What does Becky do to combat her fear? What does her husband think of this?

How does Nigel deal with his fear?

How does Becky think she got her fear?

How does Nigel think he got his?

Does Becky have her fear all year round? What about Nigel?

What methods did Nigel try to beat his fear? Were these successful?

According to the doctor, where do our fears usually come from?

Does the doctor think our fears are irrational or irrational?

Essential Vocabulary

phobias

silly

a little kid

security

suspects

play tricks

pretend

scare

arachnophobia

shrugs his shoulders

causes

embarrassment

countryside

panic

scream her head off

methods

hypnotherapist

counselling

overcome

childhood

irrational

psychology

needles

a shiver goes down my spine

Exercise

Write down all the words and phrases in your vocabulary notebook. Look in your dictionary

and find the meaning of each word. Write the definition next to each word.

Then make up your own sentences using each word or phrase.

For example:

Notebooka small book with pages of blank paper that students use to make notes when

studying.

I left my notebook at home so I was unable to make any notes in my English class.”

I Got the Fear!!

Role Play:

First person — a doctor

Second person — a patient with a very strange fear

In this role play, a patient comes to see a doctor.

The patient has a very strange and irrational fear. It is the task of the doctor to try to convince the patient that their fear is all in their mind. That it is not real at all.

The class should get into pairs and choose one of the following fears below.

All of the following fears are real.

Anatidaephobia — the fear that a duck is always watching them no matter where they are or what they are doing.

Hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliophobia — the fear of long words! Any time the person sees, hears or tries to write a long word they go into a complete panic.

Neophobia — the fear of new things. So for this person, they would have a great fear of any new technology.

Philophobia — the fear of falling in love. The person with this fear avoids other people in case they fall in love and lose control of their own life.

Ergophobia — this is the fear of the workplace. In particular, the fear of the office, the boss and colleagues.

Nomophobia — this is the fear of having no phone connection. They are afraid of not having any internet connection and being unable to get online on their smartphones.

Ablutophobia — people who have this fear are afraid of washing and bathing. They are not afraid of water but deeply afraid of the physical act of washing their body in a shower or a bath.

Chaetophobia — people who suffer from this fear are afraid of hair growing on their body.

Oikophobia — this is the fear of being inside a house and using items in a house like a sofa or a washing machine.

Panphobia — this is the fear of everything!

Discussion Questions

What are you afraid of? Can you tell the class?

Do you think all fears are irrational? What fears are rational?

Are you less afraid of things now than as a child? Why/why not?

Who is more likely to have fears? Boy or girls? Men or women? Why?

What kind of fears can interfere with the quality of a person’s life?

What are the physical side effects if someone is afraid?

Can someone overcome their fears? How?

Are you afraid of speaking English? Why/why not?

If you are afraid of speaking English, how can you overcome this fear?

What is your biggest fear for all the world?

What is your biggest fear for the future of the human race?

“There is nothing to fear, but fear itself” — Do you agree or disagree with this quote?

Writing

Write a letter to yourself about your secret fears.

As you write, try to examine why you are afraid of these things.

Keep asking yourself questions to come to the real reason why you have these fears.


Did you like this lesson plan? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!


If you would like this lesson, you can download it below, completely free!

What Are You Afraid Of?

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This week, I’m leaving you in the capable hands of Andrijana from Justlearn. Hope you enjoy this post on beating your fear of speaking English, and I’ll catch up with you next week.

Andrijana Ikonic

Hi, I am Andrijana and I am a content writer and a marketing manager at Justlearn.

I speak English, French and Serbian and I enjoy sharing unique tips and tricks related to language learning.

In my spare time, I love to binge-watch TV shows, then read about fan theories online. I am very passionate about self-improvement and teaching.

Some people have the ability to get into a conversation in a foreign language with such ease and confidence. Even if they don’t have a rich vocabulary, chatting casually is no problem for them.

You, on the other hand, think that there is a higher chance of an asteroid hitting the Earth before you overcome your fear of speaking English, right?

If you think that you are the only one who feels that way, trust me, you are not!

In fact, the fear of speaking a foreign language is far more common than you might think. There is a name for this fear or so-called phobia: xenoglossophobia, the fear of learning and speaking foreign languages.

We all know that feeling of not being able to put our thoughts into words.

Let’s find a way to beat this one together, shall we?

What exactly are you afraid of?

The fear of failure, being misunderstood and grammar mistakes are the three most common reasons why people are afraid to speak English. Making mistakes feels like failure. And that seems like ‘the end of the world’ for us.

Then there is the inevitable anxiety.

Anxiety reduces your brain’s ability to do its job the way it is supposed to. It means that when you are anxious about speaking English with others, your brain can’t process the language properly.

The fear of being judged is usually present as well. Most of us are afraid of being judged. It is the same thing with foreign languages because we often think that others judge us for our grammar or pronunciation mistakes.

Ways to overcome your fear of speaking English

No need to despair. There is always a way to succeed. Here’s what you need to do:

Identify your exact fears

Before you start a conversation, why don’t you try talking to yourself first? Try to explain to yourself that there is no real reason to be scared. Start the conversation without fear. Remind yourself that fear is not rational and that it will only hold you back from your goal, which is to speak English fluently.

Stick figure talking to himself in a mirror

Practice

Preparation and practice can help you with your confidence as well. As much as you think that other people are natural talents, believe me, they surely prepare themselves and practise a lot. However, it takes time, and it won’t happen overnight. Invest your time and energy into practice. Over time, you will see improvement.

Speak

If you feel afraid, one-on-one conversation is a good start. Group conversations can be more complex, and people usually speak faster. To overcome your fear, try talking to one person. This way, you can concentrate on their speed, style, the way they are speaking, etc., especially if you talk to a stranger. One more tip: don’t overthink your way of speaking, words you are going to use, etc. Just relax and let the talk flow.

Two stick figures drinking tea

Ask questions

One of the best tips to have meaningful conversations is to ask questions. This way you won’t be the center of attention, but you will still practise your language skills. Asking questions allows you to participate but at the same time doesn’t force you to be overly included.

Slow down

In the beginning, speak slowly, so if your speaking partner doesn’t realize that, feel free to ask them to slow down a little bit. It is interesting to know that if you begin talking clearly and slowly, your partner will speak that way, too.

Repeat

There are various topics, but they are pretty much repeating themselves. No matter how many different people you meet, topics are mainly about everyday life. It benefits you because you will simply use the same or similar words and phrases, and over time, you can master and expand them. After all, that’s the point of vocabulary growth.

Smile

With an honest smile, you can also speak the language in some way. Perhaps you are familiar with this fact, but it is good to mention that a smile can really help sometimes. When you start talking, don’t think about your fears or about words or phrases you might use wrongly. Instead, put a smile on your face and just speak.

Smiling stick figure

How to speak English with confidence?

If you, after all these tips, feel nervous and shy about speaking English with other people, then you surely need to work on your confidence. In order to be more confident with English, try the following tips. You will soon realize that everybody makes mistakes and that it isn’t the end of the world.

  • First of all, don’t worry. Even native speakers make mistakes. Nobody will laugh at you.
  • Read a lot. For starters, find a text up to 300 words and something that isn’t too hard for you.
  • If you aren’t sure, ask someone who is fluent or native English to read it for you and record it. You can hire a native English tutor online and practice your skills regularly.
  • Listen to recorded audio and practise along with it. Practise until you become more confident.
  • Try reading the text without any help. After several repetitions, record your voice. You can record it any time you want, not just once. This way, you will not only listen and compare yours with your tutor’s recording, but you can also see your improvement and learn from it.
  • Stand in front of the mirror. If you are a shy person, this will be excellent practice for you. After practicing in front of the mirror, you will definitely have more confidence.

Stick figure with microphone

Native English speakers are very good friends

Hanging out with native speakers is always the best way to improve your speaking abilities. At least in today’s world, this is more than easy. Make friends with native English speakers. That way, you will be ‘forced’ to speak with them only in English.

How to make friends with English speakers? Some ideas you can try:

  • Find conversational networking groups and forums that use English on the internet. You can offer to teach your native language in exchange.
  • Find places, clubs or bars near you with events held by English speakers. There, you will have the opportunity to meet many native speakers and also make friends with them. They can help you with English, and you can help them with, for example, finding nice restaurants in the neighborhood or perhaps good clubs for partying.
  • Join conversational classes. There are plenty of these types of courses that you can join and make some new foreign friends.
  • Travel to English speaking countries. Meet native speakers, start a conversation with them. Ask for directions or some tips for having fun and invite them to go out with you. Friendships made this way are one of the strongest and most honest ones.

What if none of these tips for confidence work for me?

If you can’t find a way to overcome your fear, that only means that you are way too afraid and anxious about it. But not to worry. For every problem, there is a solution. Take a look at our recommendations:

Take time off

Take a break a little bit, for example, a week without English. Perhaps your anxiety makes things seem worse than they really are. So, a short break should be right for you. Do something else: cook, go for a walk, try some new coffee or tea flavors, etc.

Relax

Every time you feel worried about speaking, remind yourself to relax. Keep in mind that being nervous won’t help you. It will only make things worse.

Be positive

Your attitude is the first step to success. If you are positive about your English skills, you will be more confident, and, therefore, you will not be afraid to start speaking.

Motivate yourself

Whenever you feel blue, remember, your goal is to speak English confidently. Remind yourself of why you started learning English in the first place. If you are doing it for a promotion at work, that’s more than okay. If you, maybe, want to learn to impress your partner, keep that in mind every time you get discouraged.

Believe in yourself

No matter that this tip is at the bottom of our list, it doesn’t mean it is less valuable, quite the contrary. It is the most important thing: you need to believe in yourself in order to overcome any fear.


Are you afraid to speak English? How do you cope with it? Do you have some additional tips that we could include?

This is a good conversation topic for older students. Everyone has phobias and things they are scared of, who is afraid of what in your class?

Some difficult words on this worksheet are phobia, conquer, react, heights, require and overcome.

The fears conversation questions are  –

Are you afraid of heights?

Have you ever been on a scary ride?

Are you afraid of death?

Which animal do you most fear?

What were you afraid of as a small child?

Do you like horror movies? What is the scariest movie you have seen?

What is your biggest fear in life?

Are there any illnesses you are afraid of?

Do you know anyone with a phobia?

Which do you fear the most, hospitals or dentists?

Are you afraid of speaking English?

Are you afraid of getting old?

What is the most terrifying experience you have ever had?

What kinds of things make you a little nervous?

How would you react if you saw a ghost?

So you think people can overcome their fears? How?

Do you know anyone with a strange fear?

Are there any scary places in your hometown?

How do you feel about flying? Would you ever go skydiving?

What are your parents afraid of?

What fear would you like to conquer?

Are you afraid of speaking in public?

What activities can you think of that require no fear?

Has fear ever stopped you from doing something?

Are you afraid of what other people think of you?

If you are looking for some related activities, check out the Halloween worksheets or the ghosts conversation questions.

06.08.2019 Author: Psychologist Pavel Khoroshutin

“I’m scared to go on stage. I am shy, and I feel embarrassed in front of all those people…”

– Maxim, 8

“How to overcome the fear of public speaking? I have not been a schoolboy or a student for a long time. I work for a large company and lead a department of ten people. But every time I go out with a report to the board of directors or just go to karaoke with my friends, I feel shaky. My voice starts trembling, red spots appear on the neck, my speech stumbles… It’s a miserable picture”.

– Konstantin, 28

Similar sensations before speaking in public are experienced by both children and adults: trembling in the knees and throughout the body, change in voice, pace and manner of speech, nausea, dizziness.

Many of us have to address a large number of spectators in our professional lives. We read reports, defend projects, perform creative acts and make congratulatory speeches. And only a few can firmly say that such moments do not cause them any discomfort.
A moderate amount of anxiety and excitement before the speech has its positive aspects. In anticipation of an important event we become more attentive, organized, energetic. As a result, our performance is successful and of high quality.
But what if the fear goes beyond the boundaries of natural excitement and becomes so strong that it acquires the features of glossophobia – a pathological fear of public speaking? Is glossophobia treatable?
This article describes how to overcome fear of public speaking and give yourself a chance to be heard.

Contents:

  1. How our fear works: about the signs and manifestations of phobia
  2. Why we are afraid: about the nature of the fear of public speaking
  3. 15 ways to overcome the fear of public speaking

How our fear works: about the signs and manifestations of phobia

fear of speaking

“Long pauses are good: they add solemnity to great occasions”.

“Then I’m the solemnest king who ever lived”.

Quote from The King’s Speech movie, 2010.

Fear appears a few days before the performance. A person could be sorting through the options in his/her head why the audience will not like their speech, thinking about what criticism it will be subjected to.
In a sense, such a feeling has obvious benefits – it motivates one to better prepare and plan the details of the speech. But sometimes the fear becomes very strong and manifests itself in unpleasant mental and physical symptoms. [1]
 

Physiological signs Psychological manifestations
Voice clamping (timbre, tone, voice volume changes, voice trembles), sometimes – stuttering and loss of ability to speak Excessive self-criticism
Muscle tension, tremor Increased anxiety
Dry mouth Panic attacks
Cardiopalmus Forgetfulness
Blood pressure spiking Mood swings
Sweating Suspiciousness
Dizziness, headache Negativism
Nausea Procrastination
Pressing pain in the heart  
Involuntary urination  

We will help you to learn courage and determination

We will help you to learn courage and determination

Why we are afraid: about the nature of the fear of public speaking

Causes of glossophobia, as well as other types of pathological fears, can be hidden in genetic and social aspects.

The psychological characteristics of parents are genetically inherited and can be passed on to children. Parents and children have similar fears, certain ways of perceiving them, the same reaction force and the degree of being affected by them. [2]

The social aspects of public fear include:

  • overly strict upbringing, many restrictions in childhood (“do not speak,” “sit quietly,” “shut up when adults are talking”);
  • intimidation, threats from parents (“if you talk too much, we will leave you alone at home”);
  • negative childhood experience (one of the classmates laughed or mocked you);
  • excessive susceptibility to criticism of others and very active “internal critic”;
  • low self-esteem;
  • hypersensitivity to stress factors. [2]

Whatever the reasons for your fear of public speaking, you can overcome it.

15 ways to overcome the fear of public speaking

“Adult” mindset helps me overcome the excitement and fear of the stage in the annual reporting performances. I tell myself: “I need this. I know my stuff. I can do well”. Of course, confidence is strengthened with the number of rehearsals in the troupe and at home, when you repeat your role hundreds of times. The team and the realization that you are not the only one who shares the responsibility with colleagues are of great assistance. Real colleagues provide energy and help. Of course, getting rid of the fear of speaking in public is better in childhood. For an adult, this is a big struggle with oneself, an overcoming. Now that we have played the third season, I can confidently tell myself that I am cool, I am unique. And even if I make a mistake, that’s fine. If I make a mistake, I will correct it”.

– Olesya, 37, attends acting classes

Olesya works as a real estate agent. At work, she often has to make presentations and speak to a large number of people. To solve the issue with fear, she began acting in an amateur theater. This not only helped her feel more confident in front of an unfamiliar audience, but also became a favorite hobby.
Perhaps you do not have to speak to people as often as Olesya. And, of course, you don’t have to repeat her path at all. We will give some universal tips on how to get rid of the fear of public speaking.

why are people afraid

1. Make a detailed plan

The first and perhaps the main key to overcoming the fear of public speaking is a thorough preparation. It is good if you become aware of the task of public speaking in advance. Optimal is 5-7 days before the event. Then you have time to draw up a clearly structured speech plan, prepare a presentation (if necessary), rehearse speech in front of a mirror or friends.
To reduce the level of anxiety, you can start the preparation by compiling an intelligence card. This method allows to clearly structure your thoughts and easily remember them. Take a large white sheet, colored pencils, pens, felt-tip pens. Place a block with the main idea – the topic of the presentation, in the center. Derive the hierarchy from the main topic – depict transitions to arguments and theses as arrows, branches or roots of a tree. Add images of icons, pictograms that will reinforce the meaning of theses and improve memorization. Try to enjoy this creative process.

2. Replace fear with motivation

Recognize the presence of anxiety. Accept it. Now convince yourself that fear is given to you so that you can bring your performance to perfection. Rehearse as often as possible and the anxiety will subside.

Irina Beryozka, stage speech teacher at the Department of Musical Theater of Novosibirsk Glinka State Conservatory advises repeating a speech lasting 30 minutes at least ten times. A short performance for 5-7 minutes – up to a hundred times. In the process of constant repetition, confidence increases, fear recedes, and the quality of the speech becomes much higher.

3. Imagine your failure

Strange advice? Not at all. This exercise is useful, but no more than once. Imagine the worst-case scenario of your performance and its consequences. Exaggerate, dramatize, bring to absurdity and come up with ridiculous punishments. For example, you were unsuccessful, and the audience by collective vote decided to permanently deprive you of the right to cut your hair and eat ice cream. And here you are, standing at a kiosk and looking through the window, all scruffy and sad.
The meaning of the exercise is to give fear some grotesque features. When you want to laugh at your own fantasies yourself, the real possible consequences of an unsuccessful performance will no longer seem so scary.

4. Feel the rhythm

When we worry, unnecessary interjections and parasitic structures are interwoven into our speech. To minimize the amount of “aaa …”, “um …”, “soooo…” and other speech “impurities”, work on the rhythm of your speech.
Break the report into short blocks with small pauses between them: take a two-second break after a couple of semantic sentences, then voice another two or three statements.

5. Turn on “jester mode”

This exercise, which is practiced by young actors, will be useful in the preparation phase. If during rehearsals you can’t find your calm and smooth tone of narration, try to take an absurd pose and repeat the text. For example, with one hand resting on the tip of your nose, and the other against the back of your head. Do it in front of a friend or a mirror. Here is how actor Dmitry Kozelsky comments on such a method: “You stop being afraid of ridicule and judgment of others, because you already look ridiculous. And now all your energy is directed to what you say. Jesters did so long ago, allowing themselves to express everything they felt by clowning around”. [3]

6. Feel your body

Before starting the performance, do some exercises that will help intelligently redirect the flow of adrenaline. The first and simplest exercise is breathing practice. Breathe deeply as if during meditation. This can be done even while sitting in the auditorium and waiting in line. The flow of oxygen to the brain will help calm down. If you are noticeably stressed, find an opportunity to stay alone and perform more energetic physical exercises: squats, swings, lunges. But don’t overdo it. The goal is to ease tension, and not to sweat your guts out.

7. Do not go on stage hungry

When you worry, your appetite may be completely gone. However, hunger increases anxiety. Eat something light and grab a healthy snack or cereal bar with you an hour before the performance.

8. Drink water

The most unpleasant side effect of an adrenaline rush is dry mouth. In such a situation, it becomes difficult to speak. Drink a glass of water five minutes before going on stage.

9. Do not rush

Remember the pace of speech and the time it took you to go through it during rehearsals.

You may have a subconscious desire to end the performance as soon as possible because of anxiety. Start calmly, without rushing. This will allow you to get used to the audience, and the audience to you.

10. Do not be ashamed of your vulnerability

Chris Anderson, the ideologist, president and curator of famous TED conferences, believes that the speaker should not be ashamed of his/her excitement: “Listeners are sympathetic to speakers who are clearly nervous, especially if they find a way to show and delicately explain their condition”. But we do not always speak to such a loyal audience as TED listeners. [4]

Even if you doubt that the audience will accept your confession of anxiety in a friendly manner, you can be 100% sure of the next statement. Your anxiety is not as noticeable for the audience, as for yourself. They will be more interested in the topic of your speech (otherwise why would these people be in sitting front of you?). It is possible that none of the viewers will notice how your knees tremble, and the coffee stain on the shirt pocket for which you reproach yourself so much. Therefore, focus on the topic of your speech and not on how you look and what people will personally think about you.

11. Accept your uniqueness

glossophobia

It is likely and logical that, in preparation for the speech, you will turn to the experience of other speakers: watch videos, attend conferences and lectures, so you can assess their oratory skills, pay attention to what lexical techniques and gestures they use. But before adopting the manners of the speaker you like, make sure that they suit you. Friends will help you with this. Ask them to listen to you and say frankly whether something confused them in your manners or everything looked organic. Feel free to discard the tricks that do not suit you. Remember that each person is unique, and you have a chance to develop your own unique style of storytelling.

12. Find “friends” among listeners

At the very beginning of the performance, find faces in the hall that will be attractive to you. Three or four people in different parts of the hall will be enough. When giving a speech, look at them. This will trigger a response and give you peace of mind and confidence. If this method seems too treacherous to you, think about whether you can invite your real friends to the hall and address them directly. This will positively affect your general state and tone of voice.

13. Add charisma and humor

If you have a good sense of humor and the theme of the event is not at odds with jokes and improvisation, try using this. For example, tell about a funny case from life that somehow resonates with the topic of your speech, and evaluate the audience’s reaction. Animation and laughter in the hall will give you confidence.
Be careful if you are not confident in your abilities. Try not to joke about controversial issues and acute social topics.

Svetlana Vinokurova, a public speaking coach and founder of the School of Public Speaking “Man of the Word”, recommends introducing jokes into speech without warning the audience: “By telling the audience that you remembered a joke or that something funny happened on the way to the meeting, you’ll lose your joke’s main advantage – an element of surprise, focusing the audience on the joke itself, and not on the topic of the speech”.

14. Work out a plan B

If you are afraid that something will go wrong, come up with a backup plan. Afraid to forget what you want to say? Keep notes or text handy. Afraid of a technical hitch for reasons that are not up to you? Keep a short personal story or professional advice to share during an awkward pause. Or think over questions you can ask the audience.

15. Get rid of the habit of being afraid

Fears are a learned form of behavior. Or, more simply, a habit. If you feel that it is not possible to cope with the panic-driven fear of public speaking on your own, you should work more deeply on the internal attitudes. An effective way to do so is 7Spsy behavior modification technique. The method involves remote work under the guidance of an experienced psychologist and helps get rid of a number of phobias, including fear of the stage. During a period of up to 6 weeks, you can replace the attitudes that led you to glossophobia with positive ones. This will allow you to easily express your thoughts publicly and feel confident.

We will help you to learn courage and determination

We will help you to learn courage and determination

You can overcome the fear of public speaking and get rid of the habit of fear forever if you recognize its presence in your life and be ready to work on it. In the end fear will leave the stage, and you will enjoy your finest hour.

References:

  1. Glossophobia or the Fear of Public Speaking. Symptoms, Complications, and Treatments (https://www.verywellmind.com/glossophobia-2671860).
  2. Glossofobiia: kak poborot strakh stseny(http://fobiya.info/strah-situatsij/glossofobiya).
  3. Vyiti na stsenu (http://www.psychologies.ru/wellbeing/vyiyti-na-stsenu/).
  4. Anderson K., «TED TALKS. Slova meniaiut mir: pervoe ofitsialnoe rukovodstvo po publichnym vystupleniiam», Izdatelstvo «E», 2018 g.

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Some people have the ability to get into a conversation in a foreign language with such ease and confidence. Even if they don’t have a rich vocabulary, chatting casually is no problem for them.

You, on the other hand, think that there is a higher chance of an asteroid hitting the Earth before you overcome your fear of speaking English, right?

If you think that you are the only one who feels that way, trust me, you are not!

In fact, the fear of speaking a foreign language is far more common than you might think. There is a name for this fear or so-called phobia: xenoglossophobia, the fear of learning and speaking foreign languages.

We all know that feeling of not being able to put our thoughts into words.

Let’s find a way to beat this one together, shall we?

What exactly are you afraid of?

The fear of failure, being misunderstood and grammar mistakes are the three most common reasons why people are afraid to speak English. Making mistakes feels like failure. And that seems like ‘the end of the world’ for us.

Then there is the inevitable anxiety.

Anxiety reduces your brain’s ability to do its job the way it is supposed to. It means that when you are anxious about speaking English with others, your brain can’t process the language properly.

The fear of being judged is usually present as well. Most of us are afraid of being judged. It is the same thing with foreign languages because we often think that others judge us for our grammar or pronunciation mistakes.


Ways to overcome your fear of speaking English

No need to despair. There is always a way to succeed. Here’s what you need to do:

Identify your exact fears

Before you start a conversation, why don’t you try talking to yourself first? Try to explain to yourself that there is no real reason to be scared. Start the conversation without fear. Remind yourself that fear is not rational and that it will only hold you back from your goal, which is to speak English fluently.

Practice

Preparation and practice can help you with your confidence as well. As much as you think that other people are natural talents, believe me, they surely prepare themselves and practise a lot. However, it takes time, and it won’t happen overnight. Invest your time and energy into practice. Over time, you will see improvement.

Speak

If you feel afraid, one-on-one conversation is a good start. Group conversations can be more complex, and people usually speak faster. To overcome your fear, try talking to one person. This way, you can concentrate on their speed, style, the way they are speaking, etc., especially if you talk to a stranger. One more tip: don’t overthink your way of speaking, words you are going to use, etc. Just relax and let the talk flow.

Ask questions

One of the best tips to have meaningful conversations is to ask questions. This way you won’t be the center of attention, but you will still practise your language skills. Asking questions allows you to participate but at the same time doesn’t force you to be overly included.

Slow down

In the beginning, speak slowly, so if your speaking partner doesn’t realize that, feel free to ask them to slow down a little bit. It is interesting to know that if you begin talking clearly and slowly, your partner will speak that way, too.

Repeat

There are various topics, but they are pretty much repeating themselves. No matter how many different people you meet, topics are mainly about everyday life. It benefits you because you will simply use the same or similar words and phrases, and over time, you can master and expand them. After all, that’s the point of vocabulary growth.

Smile

With an honest smile, you can also speak the language in some way. Perhaps you are familiar with this fact, but it is good to mention that a smile can really help sometimes. When you start talking, don’t think about your fears or about words or phrases you might use wrongly. Instead, put a smile on your face and just speak.

OLC

How to speak English with confidence?

If you, after all these tips, feel nervous and shy about speaking English with other people, then you surely need to work on your confidence. In order to be more confident with English, try the following tips. You will soon realize that everybody makes mistakes and that it isn’t the end of the world.

  • First of all, don’t worry. Even native speakers make mistakes. Nobody will laugh at you.
  • Read a lot. For starters, find a text up to 300 words and something that isn’t too hard for you.
  • If you aren’t sure, ask someone who is fluent or native English to read it for you and record it. You can hire a native English tutor online and practice your skills regularly.
  • Listen to recorded audio and practise along with it. Practise until you become more confident.
  • Try reading the text without any help. After several repetitions, record your voice. You can record it any time you want, not just once. This way, you will not only listen and compare yours with your tutor’s recording, but you can also see your improvement and learn from it.
  • Stand in front of the mirror. If you are a shy person, this will be excellent practice for you. After practicing in front of the mirror, you will definitely have more confidence.

Native English speakers are very good friends

Hanging out with native speakers is always the best way to improve your speaking abilities. At least in today’s world, this is more than easy. Make friends with native English speakers. That way, you will be ‘forced’ to speak with them only in English.

How to make friends with English speakers? Some ideas you can try:

  • Find conversational networking groups and forums that use English on the internet. You can offer to teach your native language in exchange.
  • Find places, clubs or bars near you with events held by English speakers. There, you will have the opportunity to meet many native speakers and also make friends with them. They can help you with English, and you can help them with, for example, finding nice restaurants in the neighborhood or perhaps good clubs for partying.
  • Join conversational classes. There are plenty of these types of courses that you can join and make some new foreign friends.
  • Travel to English speaking countries. Meet native speakers, start a conversation with them. Ask for directions or some tips for having fun and invite them to go out with you. Friendships made this way are one of the strongest and most honest ones.

What if none of these tips for confidence work for me?

If you can’t find a way to overcome your fear, that only means that you are way too afraid and anxious about it. But not to worry. For every problem, there is a solution. Take a look at our recommendations:

Take time off

Take a break a little bit, for example, a week without English. Perhaps your anxiety makes things seem worse than they really are. So, a short break should be right for you. Do something else: cook, go for a walk, try some new coffee or tea flavors, etc.

Relax

Every time you feel worried about speaking, remind yourself to relax. Keep in mind that being nervous won’t help you. It will only make things worse.

Be positive

Your attitude is the first step to success. If you are positive about your English skills, you will be more confident, and, therefore, you will not be afraid to start speaking.

Motivate yourself

Whenever you feel blue, remember, your goal is to speak English confidently. Remind yourself of why you started learning English in the first place. If you are doing it for a promotion at work, that’s more than okay. If you, maybe, want to learn to impress your partner, keep that in mind every time you get discouraged.

Believe in yourself

No matter that this tip is at the bottom of our list, it doesn’t mean it is less valuable, quite the contrary. It is the most important thing: you need to believe in yourself in order to overcome any fear.

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If you’re afraid of public speaking, you’re not alone. It’s totally normal to have performance anxiety when giving a speech. Fortunately, it’s possible to overcome your fear so you can give effective public speeches. First, build your confidence by knowing your topic well and preparing for your speech. Then, try relaxation techniques to help you deal with your performance anxiety. Additionally, confront your worries so you can let them go. If you continue to struggle with public speaking, take a class or reach out to someone who can help.

Speaking Help

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    1

    Know your topic really well. It’s normal to be afraid that you’ll forget something or say something wrong. Being prepared is the best way to handle this fear. Read about your topic so that you understand it well. If you have time, look for documentaries or online videos to help you deepen your understanding.[1]

    • When you choose a speech topic, try to pick a subject that you already know about.
    • If you’re short on time, do an Internet search and read the first few sources that come up. However, make sure these sources are reliable.
  2. Image titled Overcome Your Fear of Public Speaking Step 2

    2

    Write your speech so you have a plan for what you want to say. While you don’t need to recite your speech word-for-word, it’s helpful to write out what you want to say. Include a brief introduction of yourself and your topic. Then, write out paragraphs explaining your main points and support for them. End with a conclusion that tells audience members what to take from your speech.[2]

    • Your speech doesn’t have to be perfect. You can make revisions while you practice it.

    Variation: Make an outline of what you want to say for a quick, easy option. Write down the main points you want to make, as well as the evidence or support for those points. You can even use this outline as your notes when you give your speech.

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    3

    Prepare an outline or note card to guide you through your speech. It’s helpful to have notes when you’re giving your speech to help jog your memory when you forget what to say. However, you don’t want your notes to be too long because that makes it easy to get tripped up. Instead, include the basic elements of your speech on an outline or note card. This way, you can quickly look down and see a key term to remind you what to say. An outline for a speech about recycling might look like this:[3]

    • I. Keeps trash out of landfills

      • A. Less trash
      • B. Landfills last longer
    • II. Saves resources

      • A. Used for new products
      • B. Cuts use of raw materials
    • III. Gives consumers a voice

      • A. Can choose recycled
      • B. Brands meet consumer wants
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    4

    Practice your speech before you give it. You’ve likely heard the saying, “Practice makes perfect,” and it’s true. While you might not give a perfect speech, practicing will help you feel confident when you step in front of the audience. Start by reading your speech aloud to yourself. When you feel ready, perform your speech in front of a mirror.[4]

    • If you have a time limit for your speech, time yourself when you’re practicing. Then, make adjustments if you need to increase the length or cut it down.
    • Just listen to your voice at first. Get a feel for the sound of your speech and make adjustments as necessary.
    • When you’re in front of the mirror, practice making gestures or facial expressions. See what feels right to you.
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    5

    Film yourself to help you improve your performance. Use a video camera or your phone to film yourself doing your speech. Act like your phone is the audience, so use gestures and facial expressions. Then, watch the speech and look for areas you can improve. Do this several times to build your confidence.[5]

    • Don’t worry about the quality of the video or about anyone else seeing it. This video is just for you.
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    6

    Give your speech to family and friends before doing it in public. Pick people who will be honest about things that need improvement but are still really supportive of you. Then, perform your speech like you would for an audience. Ask them what they liked about the speech, as well as if you could improve on anything.[6]

    • If you’re really nervous, start with just 1 person. Then, gradually increase the number of people in your audience.
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    1

    Smile to quickly release feel-good endorphins. The easiest way to calm down is to smile, even if it’s fake. When you smile, your body naturally releases endorphins, which makes you feel better. Fake a smile or think of something funny to help you feel better fast.[7]

    • Try thinking of a scene from your favorite comedy. As another option, recite a joke you enjoy.
    • If you can, look at your favorite memes on your phone to help you smile naturally.
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    2

    Breathe deeply to help your body relax. Slowly inhale through your nose as you count to 5. Then, hold your breath for a 5 count. Finally, exhale slowly as you count to 5. Do a set of 5 slow breaths to help yourself calm down.[8]

    • If you’re about to go on stage, simply breathe deeply, drawing the air down into your stomach. Then, release out of your mouth.
    • Breathing deeply can release the tension in your body and help you calm down quickly.
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    3

    Place your hand on your forehead to relax your fight-or-flight response. Performance anxiety can trigger your fight-or-flight response, which naturally sends your blood to your arms and legs. However, you can bring the blood back to your head by placing your hand on your forehead. Your hand will signal to your body to send your blood upward. This will help you center your thoughts for your speech.[9]

    • Your blood goes to your limbs during a fight or flight response because your body is anticipating needing to get physical.
    • You should start to feel calmer after a few minutes.
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    4

    Visualize yourself giving a great speech. Visualization can make you feel like you actually experienced the thing you’re imagining. Close your eyes, then picture yourself giving your speech. Imagine that you’re doing an excellent job and everyone is excited to hear you. Then, picture yourself concluding your speech and walking away to applause.[10]

    • This can help you relax because it makes you feel like you can be successful.
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    5

    Use positive self-talk to replace negative thoughts. It’s normal to have negative thoughts about yourself before a speech, but they likely aren’t true. When you notice a negative thought, stop and acknowledge it. Then, challenge its credibility. Finally, replace it with a positive thought.[11]

    • For instance, let’s say you catch yourself thinking, “I’m going to look stupid up there.” Challenge this by asking yourself, “Why do I think this?” and “What could go right?” Then, tell yourself, “I’m well-prepared for this speech, so I know I’ll look knowledgeable.”
  6. Image titled Overcome Your Fear of Public Speaking Step 12

    6

    Look for opportunities to practice public speaking in low-stress situations. The best way to relieve your anxiety is to get more practice, but that’s hard to do when you’re afraid. Start small by speaking in front of your friends, volunteering to speak to local clubs, or speaking to small groups in class or at work.[12]

    • For instance, you might look for public speaking groups on Meetup.com to find opportunities.
    • Offer to give a short presentation to a local Boy Scout, Girl Scout, or Cub Scout troop.

    EXPERT TIP

    Dr. Adam Dorsay is a licensed psychologist in private practice in San Jose, CA, and the co-creator of Project Reciprocity, an international program at Facebook’s Headquarters, and a consultant with Digital Ocean’s Safety Team. He specializes in assisting high-achieving adults with relationship issues, stress reduction, anxiety, and attaining more happiness in their lives. In 2016 he gave a well-watched TEDx talk about men and emotions. Dr. Dorsay has a M.A. in Counseling from Santa Clara University and received his doctorate in Clinical Psychology in 2008.

    Adam Dorsay, PsyD

    The goal is to feel the fear and press on anyway. After you’re done, do a post-game analysis and ask yourself, «What did I do well?» and «What could I do better next time?»

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    1

    List off the specific worries that are causing your fear. Write it down or speak it aloud to help you process your worries. For instance, you might be afraid of saying the wrong thing or looking silly. Be as specific as possible about what’s making you nervous.[13]

    • Common worries include being judged, making a mistake, not measuring up, or making a bad impression.
  2. Image titled Overcome Your Fear of Public Speaking Step 14

    2

    Challenge your worries by listing the probable outcomes. Ask yourself how likely your fear is to come true. Then, imagine how your speech is likely to go. Think of the positive things that could happen. This should help you realize that your worries are unlikely to come true.[14]

    • For example, let’s say you’re worried that you will forget what you have to say. You could remind yourself that you know your topic well and will have your note card with you to refresh your memory, if you need it. Then, picture yourself using the note card during your speech.
    • If the thing you’re afraid of has actually happened to you, ease your fear by thinking about what you’ve done to prevent it from happening again. For instance, remind yourself that you’ve been thoroughly preparing for the speech and that you’ve practiced.
  3. Image titled Overcome Your Fear of Public Speaking Step 15

    3

    Remind yourself that the audience wants you to succeed. It may feel like the audience is there to judge you, but this isn’t true. Your audience is there to hear what you have to say and learn something they can use. They want you to do a good job, so they’re on your side. Think of them as supporters.[15]

    • Think about how you feel when you go to see someone speak. Are you hoping they’ll do a bad job? Do you look for mistakes or judge how nervous they look? Probably not.
  4. Image titled Overcome Your Fear of Public Speaking Step 16

    4

    Mingle with your audience before your speech to reduce your fear. Walk through the room and introduce yourself to people. Try to meet as many people as you can. This will help you feel like one of the group, which will make you feel less worried.[16]

    • You might stand by the door as people come in to greet them.
    • Don’t worry if you don’t meet everyone.
    • You may feel more confident during your speech if you make eye contact with the people you met beforehand. However, this isn’t necessary.
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    1

    Take a public speaking class to learn how to give a good speech. Public speaking is a skill that most people have to learn. Look for a class online or at your local library, community center, or community college. You’ll learn how to prepare for a speech, how to give a good delivery, and tips for engaging your audience.[17]

    • If you’re trying to improve your skills for work, look for a class that’s designed for business or professional public speaking. You might even be able to get your employer to send you to a professional workshop.
  2. Image titled Overcome Your Fear of Public Speaking Step 18

    2

    Work with a therapist to overcome extreme public speaking anxiety. It’s okay to need additional help, and performance anxiety can be treated. Your therapist can teach you cognitive-behavioral strategies for confronting your anxiety and working through it. This will help you learn to identify thought and behavior patterns that are causing your performance anxiety. Then, you’ll learn what to do differently to help you overcome your fear. Additionally, they’ll help you learn new ways to relax before a speech.[18]

    • Look for a therapist online or ask for a referral from your doctor.
    • Check with your insurance company to find out if they will pay for your treatment.
  3. Image titled Overcome Your Fear of Public Speaking Step 19

    3

    Ask your doctor about a calming medication if nothing else helps you. Although you likely don’t need medication, sometimes it’s useful for helping you cope with performance anxiety. Talk to your doctor to find out if medication is a good choice for you. Then, take it before you give a speech to help you stay relaxed.[19]

    • The first time you take the medication should be when you’re at home and don’t have any plans. This will help you see how it affects you.
    • You might decide to use calming medication if you need to do public speaking for your job but are struggling to do it.
  4. Image titled Overcome Your Fear of Public Speaking Step 20

    4

    Attend Toastmasters to practice public speaking in a supportive setting. Toastmasters is a nonprofit organization that has branches in many communities. They’ll help you build your public speaking skills and give you a safe place to practice. Look for a chapter in your area and attend their meetings.[20]

    • You may have to join your local Toastmasters chapter to take advantage of their services.[21]
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Add New Question

  • Question

    How can I stop shaking of nervousness when I’m in front of people?

    Community Answer

    Take deep breaths and remember that you are going to be fine. Think of how relieved you will be when it is over. Think about how quickly that 5 minutes will go by.

  • Question

    I’m scared that I’ll fumble over the words and people will laugh at me! What do I do?

    Community Answer

    If you fumble over a word, make sure you keep on going as if there was no mistake. If people laugh at you, laugh with them, that way they know they are not causing harm to you.

  • Question

    When I talk to someone or explain anything which is connected with me, I get very tense. My heartbeat raises and I find it hard to find the right words. What should I do?

    Community Answer

    It’s possible that you’re frightened of them judging you and finding you wanting. Think for a moment: Are they really going to judge you? Is this going to last forever? Take a few deep breaths and talk in the same way that you’d talk to your friend. If it continues to be a problem, consider seeing a therapist as you may need help to let go of unresolved issues and learn to better articulate your needs by building up your self worth.

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  • Remember, you don’t look as nervous as you feel.

  • Only you know what you are supposed to say, so it’s okay to change things during the presentation. Don’t worry if you skip something because no one else knows.

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  • Don’t take anything personally. People who look like they aren’t paying attention may be thinking about what you’re saying.

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References

About This Article

Article SummaryX

To overcome your fear of public speaking, try practicing a speech in front of a mirror to get yourself used to speaking aloud. You can also practice giving it to your friends or family to build your confidence in front of an audience. When you feel more confident speaking to yourself and your friends, try searching online for a public speaking class in your area, since this will help you learn what makes a great speech. You can also attend Toastmasters, which is a nonprofit organization which provides a safe space to practice your public speaking. If you find yourself being overwhelmed by anxiety about public speaking, consider working with a therapist to help ease your stress. For more tips from our Speech co-author, including how to identify the fears you have about public speaking, read on!

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Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 849,739 times.

Reader Success Stories

  • Widon Chirwa

    «Before reading this, I was a mess at public speaking. Now I’m one of the best speakers at my school.»

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