Speech Class (public speaking)

[Regs]

So what is the point of public speaking as a course in school? If you don't shit your pants you get an A?

I realize in some job functions, talking to large groups of people is necessary but since when did it become a skill you can learn in school? It should be an extra curricular activity or a option for your own benefit.

How does a teacher grade a student? If the student is shy, how can you grade his performance? Obviously a shy kid is not going to run for public office or become the next CEO of Bank of America, but he might become an established accountant, Vice President, or countless other jobs that don't require public speeches. Even then, when you're a Vice President or CEO that is required to address their company, employees, and so fourth, it's a role someone grows into in the course of their life time. My balls would be huge if I was making six digits a year, manage countless employees, and help feed their families. Accordingly, a shy student is a major disadvantage to start and you can't justly ask a shy student to not be shy or nervous for just one speech.


So I will reiterate, what the fawk is the point of a public speaking class in college?

 

[meltdown75]

dude. a lot of jobs require public speaking skills.

i'm not even management, and i have had to give several presentations / talk in front of groups multiple times over the years.

it's just a good skill to have.

 

[BlackTigers]

I loved public speaking.

I learned a lot about how to address crowds, and it's a confidence booster for shy kids.

I definitely watched shy kids break out of their shells by the end of the semesters (took two different speech classes).

 

[Uppsala9496]

I am sure some techniques are taught: don't stutter, speak clearly and enunciate, don't use filler words, engage the audience with eye contact versus looking at notes the whole time, etc.

 

[hanoverphist]

I am sure some techniques are taught: don't stutter, speak clearly and enunciate, don't use filler words, engage the audience with eye contact versus looking at notes the whole time, etc.

ed zachary. ive had to take a few courses in it throughout my schooling as well as management courses a previous employer paid for me to take. it really did help me analyze the process of public speaking, and i no longer fear it at all. i have to traiin people on occasion, and the first time i did so in front of a camera and 35 people i about shit bricks sideways. now its not that big a deal. those courses did make me come off a lot more professional than i would have had i never taken them.

 

[Regs]

I loved public speaking.

I learned a lot about how to address crowds, and it's a confidence booster for shy kids.

I definitely watched shy kids break out of their shells by the end of the semesters (took two different speech classes).

How many speeches in one semester?

Did you have any students who are just deatly ill of talking in public?


I always looked at public speaking as if I were talking intimently with one person, though that person was a mute.

 

[Razgriz]

thankfully my college doesn't require it. I'm good at talking to people, but getting in front of a crowd makes me shit bricks.

 

[BlackTigers]

How many speeches in one semester?

Did you have any students who are just deatly ill of talking in public?


I always looked at public speaking as if I were talking intimently with one person, though that person was a mute.

First class: Five
Second class: Four plus two group speeches.
HS Class: Six

And yeah, there were some train wrecks. Usually by about the third speech they loosened up and were able to converse freely and could demonstrate confidence talking to the audience.

 

[meltdown75]

thankfully my college doesn't require it. I'm good at talking to people, but getting in front of a crowd makes me shit bricks.

you should have been a bricklayer.

but seriously, you can use that nervous energy to your benefit.

 

[Regs]

dude. a lot of jobs require public speaking skills.

i'm not even management, and i have had to give several presentations / talk in front of groups multiple times over the years.

it's just a good skill to have.

There is something about the atmosphere in speech classes than their is in ordinary roles in other activities. The difference is in school you know you're being scrutinized. Obviously, you don't want to look bad in any public appearance, but the magnifying glass in class can burn awfully hot.

 

[Regs]

Nervous energy- I heard that before! It really depends on one's personality. I tend to crack jokes or be overly sarcastic when nerves hit. It's usually better than stuttering and using filler words like "Uh" and "Uhm".

 

[Phoenix86]

So what is the point of public speaking as a course in school? If you don't shit your pants you get an A?

I realize in some job functions, talking to large groups of people is necessary but since when did it become a skill you can learn in school? It should be an extra curricular activity or a option for your own benefit.

How does a teacher grade a student? If the student is shy, how can you grade his performance? Obviously a shy kid is not going to run for public office or become the next CEO of Bank of America, but he might become an established accountant, Vice President, or countless other jobs that don't require public speeches. Even then, when you're a Vice President or CEO that is required to address their company, employees, and so fourth, it's a role someone grows into in the course of their life time. My balls would be huge if I was making six digits a year, manage countless employees, and help feed their families. Accordingly, a shy student is a major disadvantage to start and you can't justly ask a shy student to not be shy or nervous for just one speech.

This.

The class should teach you how to handle this or how to overcome it, if only for a short period of time during a speech.

 

[JulesMaximus]

dude. a lot of jobs require public speaking skills.

i'm not even management, and i have had to give several presentations / talk in front of groups multiple times over the years.

it's just a good skill to have.

Agreed. The more comfortable you feel talking to large groups, the more people feel comfortable listening. It also breeds confidence in yourself and in your message. If you look nervous and unsure of yourself people are going to be less likely to take your message seriously.

It is definitely a good skill to have regardless of your profession.

 

[gimmewhitecastles]

A major step in getting a job is going through the interview process. A residual effect the public speaking course is actually developing interviewing skills. Same way math class develops analytical skills even though you may not want to be a mathematician.

 

[Regs]

God I hate it when you people are right.