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Globster
Globster Community member, Community Volunteer Host, CP Network, Scope Member Posts: 2,371 Disability Gamechanger
in Coffee lounge
Hello 
I have got to do a verbal presentation for my GCSES English online class but I get very nervous about speaking in front of people and would appreciate you advice on how to deal with this difficult situation 

I am a Community Volunteer Host. Please note: if I use the online community outside of its hours of administration, I am doing so in a personal capacity only.

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  • janer1967
    janer1967 Community member Posts: 21,964 Disability Gamechanger
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    Hi there 

    Do plenty of practise , make sure you know your subject,  use prompt cards , try di it to a friend or family first 

    For something calming before like reading or listening to music 


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  • wilko
    wilko Community member Posts: 2,458 Disability Gamechanger
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    @Globster, hello, have you a choice of subject mater?,if you have a free choice then talking about a subject your passionate about should not cause you any issues.  Take your time speak slowing but fluently so those listening can hear and understand. Taking about a subject you have a lot of interest and knowledge will be of great help. Have a start, middle and end knowing how long the talk has to be will help prepare the subject matter having notes out of the cameras view to use as reminders. Good luck.
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  • woodbine
    woodbine Community member Posts: 11,618 Disability Gamechanger
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    I was given some great advice 35 years ago when I was about to speak to 200 people, it was if your mouth goes dry (as it does when speaking in public)just put your tounge on the roof of your mouth for a few seconds, always works.
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  • Geoark
    Geoark Community member Posts: 1,463 Disability Gamechanger
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    I was once advised to start with a joke, to help relax things.

    A few years ago I was invited to speak at a conference full of housing association CEOs and Finance Officers. My opening line -

    I must admit I was nervous when asked to speak in a pit of vipers whose main concerns were their pay packets and bonuses...

    I looked out at the sea of bemused faces, along with the horrified look on the faces of the people who had invited me. So continued -

    So it is with relief that I find myself among people who are as passionate about tenants as I am.

    The rest of the presentation went well and was well received. When speaking to the organisers it was suggested that I should not introduce jokes in future.

    @Janer1967 and @Wilko are absolutely spot on with their advice. Knowing how long you have will help you prepare your presentation. Lots of practice and cards with key notes will also help you to remember where you are or what is next. Giving a good presentation is probably around 80% preparation, with the other 20% putting your presentation together. So give yourself time.

    If your talking for longer than five minutes I would suggest having a glass of water at hand. It can help if your mouth gets dry, but also gives you a few brief moments to collect your thoughts, check your notes, or if you find you are talking too fast can help to slow things down. 

    As a general rule, I would aim for between 100 to 200 words per minute. So for a 5 minute presentation around 500 to 1000 words with aiming at around 750 words. Something I have found useful is filming myself when preparing for giving a talk. It helps to see how I sound, but also helps to pick out any distracting habits that formed. Though to be fair I had already given a number of presentations before I tried this.

    All that said I know some very experienced presenters who still get nervous before hand.

    Good luck.

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  • Cher_Alumni
    Cher_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 5,741 Disability Gamechanger
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    Hi @Globster

    How are you feeling about the presentation now?  You've received lots of helpful advice here and believe me, you aren't alone in this fear but it can be overcome! 

    I think the main thing is lots of preparation and practice, while something I've tried before is thinking about how a public speaker I admire does it.  So you could look on Youtube for examples of them speaking and get some tips - for instance, do they talk slowly? are their shoulders relaxed and do they look up at their audience?  If you can take-away pointers on what makes a good talk, and put them into your own, that might help.  

    Importantly, if it's causing you worry, speak to your teacher about it so they are aware.  Don't put too much pressure on yourself and just be you  <3 I'm sure you'll smash it!
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  • WestHam06
    WestHam06 Community member, Scope Volunteer Posts: 1,396 Pioneering
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    Hi @Globster,
                           How are you? How are you feeling about your presentation? What is your subject matter? I can only echo the advice that has already been given here on the thread. When I have had to speak publicly, I try my best to start with humour, just to relax myself and the audience and try to engage with them. Just remember you've got this :) Best of luck, thank you. 
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  • Globster
    Globster Community member, Community Volunteer Host, CP Network, Scope Member Posts: 2,371 Disability Gamechanger
    edited March 2021
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    a quick update has just been given the news that I will be doing my GCSE English over two years instead of the normal one year
    I have less pressure on me because I have been told that my verbal presentation can be used as practice this year and get ready to do GCSE qualification next year 

    I am a Community Volunteer Host. Please note: if I use the online community outside of its hours of administration, I am doing so in a personal capacity only.

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  • Queenofdisabilities
    Queenofdisabilities Community member Posts: 91 Connected
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    Hi Globster how are you?
    That's grat news for you sounds like you're  very happy about that.
    Wel done & good luck!
    Take care 
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  • janer1967
    janer1967 Community member Posts: 21,964 Disability Gamechanger
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    Good news that should take the pressure off a bit 
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  • Kit_
    Kit_ Community member Posts: 31 Connected
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    I hope it goes well for you. While you may want to do the presentation to prove to yourself that you can, you should also be given the option to present only to your teacher as an adjustment. Whether you would find that more or less anxiety inducing I don’t know! If you really feel that you would be caused an unmanageable amount of anxiety you can ask to submit a written script instead. 
    Having said that, I’ve given presentations before when I really didn’t want to and felt a real sense of achievement afterwards. As people have said, preparation is key. Good luck :)
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  • Globster
    Globster Community member, Community Volunteer Host, CP Network, Scope Member Posts: 2,371 Disability Gamechanger
    edited March 2021
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    Hello to scope community 
    I did my verbal presentation to the barriers, people with Cerebral Palsy on pubic transport and accessing shops I passed it but I won't to get merit or distinction next year when doing the presentation next year for really thank you to the amazing members of online scope community for there fantastic  advice  

    I am a Community Volunteer Host. Please note: if I use the online community outside of its hours of administration, I am doing so in a personal capacity only.

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  • WestHam06
    WestHam06 Community member, Scope Volunteer Posts: 1,396 Pioneering
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    Hi @Globster, 
                          Congratulations on your fantastic achievement :) Remember, you've got this :) Thank you. 
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  • Ross_Alumni
    Ross_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,652 Disability Gamechanger
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    Amazing news, well done @Globster :) 
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  • Richard_Scope
    Richard_Scope Posts: 3,648 Scope online community team
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    Fantastic!
    Scope
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  • Globster
    Globster Community member, Community Volunteer Host, CP Network, Scope Member Posts: 2,371 Disability Gamechanger
    edited May 2021
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    Hello All 
    Just update, My English and I have decided that GCSE might not be right for me and I may more suited to a creative writing course. I have found that getting feedback from teacher says not quite right as been demolishing for me   

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  • Richard_Scope
    Richard_Scope Posts: 3,648 Scope online community team
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    Hi @Globster
    Why did the teacher say that to you?
    Scope
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  • Globster
    Globster Community member, Community Volunteer Host, CP Network, Scope Member Posts: 2,371 Disability Gamechanger
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    @Richard_Scope
    I have been struggling with the level of work I think could see that was a struggle to get written work up to the level for GCSE English

    I am a Community Volunteer Host. Please note: if I use the online community outside of its hours of administration, I am doing so in a personal capacity only.

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  • Tori_Scope
    Tori_Scope Scope Posts: 12,492 Disability Gamechanger
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    I'm sorry to hear that @Globster. It can be really hurtful when it feels as though someone doesn't have faith in your abilities, especially a teacher. Have you spoken to them about how this has made the feel?

    It does sound as though the creative writing course could be a good opportunity though, as it's quite tailored towards the things you're into. Have you been given any information about the course, such as what's included in the syllabus? 
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  • Richard_Scope
    Richard_Scope Posts: 3,648 Scope online community team
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    @Globster, I did creative writing and really enjoyed it. 
    Scope
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  • Globster
    Globster Community member, Community Volunteer Host, CP Network, Scope Member Posts: 2,371 Disability Gamechanger
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    @Tori_Scope @Richard_Scope
    I appreciate both your advice I feel I might take a short break before taking other courses.
    I feel mentally drained by the stress that the GCSE English course has given me.
    I might do things I love to build my confidence before doing another course 
     

    I am a Community Volunteer Host. Please note: if I use the online community outside of its hours of administration, I am doing so in a personal capacity only.

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