New
New
Year 11
AQA
Building confidence in public speaking
I can use body language and posture to manage my nerves and speak confidently in public.
New
New
Year 11
AQA
Building confidence in public speaking
I can use body language and posture to manage my nerves and speak confidently in public.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- Feeling scared and nervous about public speaking is a shared concern.
- Using open body language and an effective posture can help to manage nerves.
- Setting your posture before you speak is a good way to prepare and can help you to control your voice and your body.
- Nervousness and excitement share similar traits.
- Breathing exercises can help alleviate the physical side of nerves.
Keywords
Testimonial - a statement or personal account where someone shares their experience or opinion
Posture - the way you hold your body when standing, sitting, or moving
Oriented - being positioned or directed toward a particular point or goal
Eradicate - to completely eliminate or remove something
Common misconception
Some pupils believe that they are the only person to feel nervous or scared about public speaking.
Most people feel nervous before speaking, even the most experienced public speakers. It's all about understanding what nerves are and how you can manage them.
This is a practical spoken language lesson and can require students to stand up and move around. You may wish to consider how to manage this with your pupils.
Teacher tip
Equipment
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on
Open Government Licence version 3.0
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).Lesson video
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Starter quiz
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6 Questions
Q1.
Is the answer true or false? When choosing a topic for a presentation, picking a topic you care, or feel strongly, about can be a good place to start.
Q2.
Which word beginning with 'p' can be described as: 'the way someone holds themselves when they’re seated or standing.'?
Q3.
Which of the following would not be an example of non-verbal communication in spoken language?
tone of voice
hand gestures
facial expressions
Q4.
Which of the following best describes the term 'gesture'?
a written form of communication
a spoken expression of thoughts
a type of facial expression used to show emotion
Q5.
Which word beginning with 'a' could be used to complete this sentence: 'an voice is a voice that expresses your true thoughts and feelings honestly and genuinely.'?
Q6.
Is the answer true or false? Research from any source is valid.
Exit quiz
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6 Questions
Q1.
Which of the following is an example of open body language?
crossing your arms
looking down at the floor
turning your body away from the audience
Q2.
What is the main purpose of box breathing in public speaking?
to increase excitement
to slow down your speech
to make your voice louder
Q3.
How many phases are there in box or square breathing?
Q4.
Which sensation is commonly shared between nervousness and excitement?
drowsiness
slow breathing
feeling cold
Q5.
Is the answer true or false? You should aim to have your body oriented away from your audience when public speaking?
Q6.
How can reframing nervousness as excitement help in public speaking?
it eliminates nerves completely
it makes you speak slower
it helps you memorise your speech better