Public Speaking in Ireland
Why are Americans so confident with Public Speaking when we struggle to articulate our own thoughts and opinions when faced with addressing a group?
Sandy Sheerin who set up ‘Public Speaking I’ has first-hand experience in why that is.
Born in Ireland, Sandy was 10 years old when she emigrated to America with her three sisters and mother. To say she found the education system slightly different is probably an understatement.
One of the areas that was emphasised in learning was Speech class, incorporating the creation, design and delivery of various types of speeches – three times a week! Students were encouraged to choose their own topics, under different genres ranging from informative, persuasive, historical, and demonstrative. Each week they would be asked to deliver it back to their class with an open discussion at the end to highlight their strengths and areas for improvement.
Instead of asking Mary at the back of the classroom to ‘read aloud a paragraph’ from a book or poem for all the class to hear; in Sandy’s High School, students were asked to ‘write their own’ speeches and presentations; allowing them the freedom to present their own findings, thoughts and ideas around particular subjects.
Writing vs. Speaking
Sandy is quick to highlight the talents of our youth in their written skills (aren’t we renowned for our authors and playwrights around the world), but unfortunately points out, that they lack the confidence to give a talk or speech on their written work.
After working with several schools in the past, she is proud of the talent we have in our schools for their writing abilities, but disheartened by the lack of self-assurance students have in standing up publicly and speaking assertively about their own work.
Debating is not public speaking!
A misconception that Sandy hears quite a lot in her line of work is that debating is the same as public speaking; she argues quite well that it is not. You see, debating is a form of interaction, with opposing views and each person involved reacts to the other side’s opinions or thoughts. Public Speaking is standing alone, in silence, in front of a watchful group, with the only sound being the echo of the speaker’s voice. All eyes and ears are on that speaker with their spectators waiting for them to inspire, inform, educate or entertain their audience. No wonder it is such a daunting experience for the vast majority of people.
Public Speaking can be taught
For those that absolutely dread the thoughts and act of public speaking, you can usually hear them complain that they weren’t born with the ‘gift of the gab’. Not true, claims Sandy, as she has met tons of people who have faced their demons with it, later on in their lives, and have become quite comfortable speaking publicly.
The issue is that too many people compare themselves to others when trying to learn how to do it, and hold themselves back because they think there is only one true way to ‘speak with confidence’. Too often individuals think that they should be more ‘powerful or mighty’ when delivering a talk, when in fact, there are a range of different styles and methods that speakers use to get their message across. Each person has their own natural way of communicating, whether it is through their body language or sound of voice, and their focus should be on where they find their ‘comfort zone’; not what the person before them has done.
They’re listening.
Audiences will always pick up on those speakers who look uneasy and uncomfortable, but not necessarily nerves. They will always forgive a small case of voice quivering, fast-paced talking, and even slight hand shaking, but if they think you’re ‘putting on an act’ in front of them, or doing something that does not come across as natural to you, they’re not really connecting with you. Viewers want to feel as though the person is speaking to them as if they would one on one, with no barriers or walls between them and if they find that person is not, then they’re turned off immediately.
Thoughts on.... Education and Public Speaking
by Sandy Sheerin
I often get asked if we should have Public Speaking as part of the curriculum in Ireland and as you can imagine, I immediately answer with a strong 'Yes'!
Believe me, it's something I have been working on. I can only draw from my own education in the U.S. that gives me the insight into what it was like to grow up in a school where Speech class was as important as History, Geography, Maths and Science.
Here's my first-hand experience of what it was like...
Arriving in the U.S. at the age of ten, I can tell you that it was a bit of a culture shock - not because we emigrated to anywhere 'sexy' or 'cool' like L.A. or NYC, but because we went from bustling Dublin to a tiny, rural area called Pleasant Mount, Pennsylvania (population 1,000). That in iteself was an eye-opener, to say the least, however, one thing I wasn't prepared for was the education system. No nuns, no uniforms, no religious rituals at all - I was landed in a new world of the American public school system with pre-teen boys, crazy 80's dress code and a lot more of a 'laid back' attitude than would have been tolerated in Scoil Caitriona on Mask Avenue.
Now, don't get me wrong, the American education system is far from perfect (as most of you will agree), however, after settling in there, I realised something - I was given a lot of classes in the areas of creative writing, guidance counselling and speech delivery, as well as your basic Maths, Science, History and so on.
Three times a week, we would roll into Mrs. Erdmann's Speech class, who gave us our first introduction in how to create, design and deliver various types of speeches. Students were encouraged to choose their own topics, under different areas; ranging from informative, persuasive, historical, and demonstrative speeches. Each week we would be asked to deliver it back to our class, with an open discussion at the end, to highlight our strengths and areas for improvement.
When we were asked to ‘write our speeches and presentations, we were told to be creative, "put your mind and heart into it" and come back with something meaningful. (Dead Poet's Society stuff).
I truly believe that this freedom to present our own findings, thoughts and ideas around particular subjects was a brilliant foundation in mastering the art of public speaking. The choice was ours to convince, educate, inform or entertain our fellow classmates on any matter we wanted.
Instead of just reciting a poem from memory or reading a paragraph from a book out loud to the class, we were asked to research, structure and deliver our own thoughts in front of our peers. This introduction to 'Public Speaking' was vital to our young minds heading off to the next stage of our lives, both personally and professionally.
After working with some schools in Ireland a few years back in the area of public speaking, I found that we have some of the most incredibly talented writers here (aren't we known for our authors and playwrights the world over), but unfortunately although these young teenagers possess impressive written skills, they lack the self-belief in themselves to stand up and speak about their work.
This needs to change..
The ability to communicate competently is not only important for personal development, but more than ever it is needed for career promotion and professional advancement as we compete in the world of business. I realise that sounds like such a tired cliche, but the truth is, it does matter and we should be doing it now.
I am hoping that some day Speech classes will be brought in to the curriculum here in Ireland, as I categorically believe that we should be allowing our youth the opportunity to express themselves in a more confident and self-assured manner.
Let's bring these brilliant minds out of their shell and onto the world stage...
Sandy Sheerin
Public Speaking Institute of Ireland
‘Find Your Own Speaking Style’
Ireland’s first ‘Public Speaking Institute’ is set to open its courses up to the general public beginning Monday March 14th 2011.
With a range of courses from ‘Confident Public Speaking’ to ‘Dynamic Speech Delivery’- PSII firmly believes that every single person can be taught how to delivery any type of talk, speech or presentation easily and effortlessly.
Powerful public speaking is more than just a matter of getting over those dreaded ‘fears and nerves’ though; it’s about understanding the ‘real’ secret to successful delivery-
‘Finding Your Own Speaking Style!’
Why-
It’s true, too often nervous speakers try to ‘mimic’ other powerful speakers when delivering their message, which always leaves them looking (and feeling) awkward and unnatural. The key to getting into your ‘comfort zone’ and speaking effortlessly is all about what feels right for you, the speaker. By identifying your own unique style of communication and expressing that when speaking publicly , you will find that you will build your confidence and self-esteem without even trying.
How-
We place a strong emphasis on useful and constructive feedback on what works best for YOU, instead of just giving you the usual ‘How to’ course. We will help you find your strengths and personal authority when you have to give your next talk, speech or presentation.
All of our classes are run in a friendly and relaxed environment, with plenty of encouragement, support and fun!
