speaking in class

[lilshrimpgirl]

hey everyone,

can anyone of you give me some advice as to how to speak up in class? i've somehow been able to make it through my entire life without once voluntarily raising my hand to ask a teacher something or respond to something. now that i think about it, it's quite bizzarre, but it's definately not something i'm proud of. now that im in university, some of my profs require the students to participate FULLY. that, to me is a complete nightmare!! does anyone have any tips for speaking in class? i'm not talking about a full fledge presentation in front of the class, but simply speaking in the presence of your classmates and having everyone listen to you speak. sigh!!!

[Boblouie58]

I hear you and this was very difficult for me in college. Knowing enough about the subject in your classes will be a definite help. As you answer the 1st question in each class, the 2nd and following answers will bother you less. Don't worry about, your answer and what others think. All the teacher is trying to do is get more participation. Same when he/she asks you for an opinion or answer. Remember, "no answer is a wrong answer", but may be the tip of an answer.

[badboy]

My sister was terrified about a presentation that she had to give and she bought a book called, 'In The Spotlight: Overcome Your Fear of Public Speaking.' It is the only book written for people with a phobia about speaking in front of a group. (These are mainly shy people.) My sister is now giving presentations regularly at work and says this book made it possible. It gives you simple exercises to do in your head and on paper. These are designed to help you to keep calm when giving a talk. You can get the book from amazon. I hope you find this useful.