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Dear Friend,
Whenever I’m called on by a teacher or I need to present my homework in front of the class, my face turns red. Once I start talking, I stutter and feel like fainting. How do I overcome this kind of “stage fright”?
Signed, Frightened
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Dear Someone,
We hope this comes as good news to you: public speaking is one of the most common causes of anxiety. Being called on out of the blue can be a bit shocking, but fortunately, those feelings shouldn’t last long.
It’s normal to be nervous about presenting to a crowd, especially if you don’t like to be in the spotlight. However, try not to focus on your discomfort because it makes speaking even more difficult.
Here are a few more tips to help you out:
Prepare yourself by thinking positively
Think about why you’re feeling so anxious. Are you afraid of getting a bad grade or embarrassing yourself in front of your friends? Once you figure that out, think about the more positive things that could happen. Rather than thinking, “I’m going to look so dumb,” focus on the idea that you’ll ace your presentation and impress your class. If you keep thinking about what could go wrong, you’re more likely to self-sabotage.
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Rehearse at home
It might sound silly, but it could help to practice speaking in front of a mirror, a pet or with some friends.
Push past any discomfort and use it as an opportunity to build your speaking skills in a non-judgmental zone. Take a few deep breaths before you start talking to ease your nerves.
You could also chat with someone whose speaking skills you admire or pay a visit to your school’s debate club to get some tips. We don’t know how nervous you are about speaking – is it just in front of an audience, or with anyone you don’t know? You can do little things to practise speaking up: talk to a classmate you don’t know very well, raise your hand at least once a day, or order food on the phone instead of using an app.
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Set reasonable expectations
No one is perfect, and there is always room for improvement. Therefore, don’t criticise yourself or obsess over every imperfection. Instead, acknowledge your efforts and find things about your speech to compliment.
A key part of this is accepting that you will make mistakes, like mispronouncing or forgetting a word. Remember that this isn’t a big deal and doesn’t mean you’ve failed! You can correct the mistake if you notice it right away, but otherwise, move on with your speech. Most people don’t notice minor errors, and if someone teases you for it, that says more about their self-esteem than yours.
Hope that helps, Friend of a Friend
The question was answered by clinical psychologists from the Department of Health under Shall We Talk, a mental health initiative launched with the Advisory Committee on Mental Health.