#speaking tips

On Being Well Spoken

I recently received a request about posting something regarding being well spoken.

Something you need to realise is that you’re not going to become well-spoken overnight. You need to practice on people. You need to SPEAK.

I used to stutter so badly that I could barely speak a whole sentence.

Flash forward a few years. I pitched my start up in front of a crowd, I joined Model United Nations in high school and college, I’ve been invited to speak on my entrepreneurial experience by some top universities in my country. It’s taken a lot to get here. And I’m still not where I want to be.

1. Apps to track progress and help you get better at public speaking

An app that you can use: “Speeko.”

I used to use this, it is beginner friendly and you can improve your public speaking skills as well.

2. Use topic generators

Go online and look up a topic generator. Generate a random topic, video yourself speaking on that topic. Don’t give yourself time to prepare anything - read the topic and start speaking. Set a time limit - you’ll realise that speaking for even 2 minutes can be quite difficult at times.

Not only does this make you realise that you may have limited language skills, but it will also make you realise exactly where you’re falling behind. Note down things in a journal.

- is grammar the issue?

- Lack of vocabulary?

- Too many filler sounds?

- Knowledge gap?

This is also a great idea if you’re at an intermediate level of learning a language/ polishing a language. Do this everyday and maintain a diary on your improvement.

3. Reading out loud

Select a news article or any article. Read out loud, slowly and steadily. Pronounce every syllable calmly.

A two minute read should take 5 minutes to read out loud. That’s how slow you should go. Not more than 4-5 words per breath.

Your tongue needs to get used to different syllables and sounds. Practice will help.

4. Talk in real life

Talk to anyone and everyone whenever you can.

Ask your barista how their day is going.

Ask your work or university security if they’ve had a good day and if they ate today.

Chat with your taxi driver about their life. I always start with asking them if they are from the city we’re travelling in. Even if you’re from that city, act like a tourist. Where are the best eateries? The conversation eventually goes to personal questions. How many children do they have, and what do they do? What do they like about the city?

You’ll learn the art of small talk only through practice. No book or guide can actually prepare you. You have to practice, practice and practice.

5. Diaphragm breathing

Diaphragm breathing is very important. Look up some YouTube videos for reference. You essentially breathe from your tummy (stomach goes in and out; not chest going up and down). This is a great calming exercise too.

6. Stuttering tongue/ jaw exercise videos

These are great because they really do prep your jaw and tongue well. The videos could include tongue stretches, placing your tongue on your palette correctly, etc. Search on YouTube.

7. Body posture

You really need to work on your posture too. Sit up straight. Back, STRAIGHT. Chin up, shoulders relaxed. Something as simple as posture can change your level of confidence.

8. Pranayama

A yoga exercise for breathing. You can find a guided video on YouTube for sure.

9. Vocabulary

Invest your time in expanding your vocabulary. There’s enough apps and games that can help you with that, if you aren’t fond of reading. A sign of being well spoken is having great vocabulary.

Start by looking up the synonyms of everyday words.

“I’m upset”

- how many different words can you find for upset?

“I had a crazy day today”

- one can easily use “hectic”, “chaotic” “lively” instead

10. Idioms

Idioms, phrases, sayings - look up common idioms in your language of choice. Aim to use at least 3 new idioms on 3 separate occasions in a week while you speak. You need to understand when and where you can use the idioms in your vocabulary.

11. Knowing when to switch

You can’t talk like a 50 year old heiress to a 10 year old child; you need to get down to their level.

If someone is clearly not a native speaker and is struggling to put words together, don’t use difficult words around them.

If you’re meeting with someone high profile, refrain from using slang.

The best speakers know when to switch their level of language.

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THE FOLLOWING EXERCISE FOR THOSE LEARNING ANOTHER LANGUAGE:

speak to yourself in front of a mirror,and attempt to only use your target language

some guidelines i would use for beginners esp: try to use vocab you already might know (example: i speak _ language and i want to eat _ food), and try to keep speaking as long as possible. reiterate what you just said with a different sentence format, literally just speak as varied and as long as you are able to

this does a few things:

- shows what words and sentence structures you have a handle on

-what words you should learn next to keep speaking (words like for, this, now, tomorrow, yesterday) that dont always show up in vocab lists

-what you struggle with

-practices your speaking brain muscles, since you are only looking at yourself and not getting any assistance

others have probably already mentioned this, i feel like i heard about this from somewhere before but I can't remember but i just tried this and loved it

below i accidentally clicked the question button and couldnt delete it so now i ask you this question:

Have you ever struggled to find the right word to convey a specific idea or concept? In a world where language is constantly evolving, it can be tough to keep up with the latest terms and phrases. But precision in language is crucial for clear communication, and sometimes it takes a more uncommon word to get the job done.

In this post, we'll be introducing you to five uncommon words that can help you express yourself more precisely and accurately. Whether you're a writer, a speaker, or just someone who loves to learn new words, these terms are sure to expand your vocabulary and improve your communication skills.

Bricolage

Have you ever had to get creative in order to solve a problem or complete a task? If so, you've engaged in bricolage – a French word that refers to the process of using whatever resources are available to you in order to get the job done.

For example, if you're trying to fix a broken lamp and you don't have the right parts, you might use a paper clip, a rubber band, and a bit of tape to hold it together. That's bricolage in action!

Using the word bricolage can help you describe creative problem-solving or resourcefulness in a more precise and sophisticated way. And it's not just for household repairs – bricolage can apply to all sorts of situations, from business to art to politics.

Incisive

When you need to describe someone or something as sharp or insightful, the word incisive is the perfect choice. It comes from the Latin word "incidere," which means "to cut into," and it refers to the ability to cut through confusion and get to the heart of the matter.

For example, you might say that someone has an incisive mind, or that their comments were incisive and insightful. Or you could describe a piece of writing as incisive, if it cuts through the noise and gets to the point.

Using incisive in your language can help you convey a sense of clarity and precision. It's a great way to show that you've really thought something through and can see it clearly.

Ratiocination

If you want to describe logical, well-reasoned thought, look no further than ratiocination. This word comes from the Latin "ratio," which means "reason," and it refers to the process of using reason and logic to arrive at a conclusion.

For example, you might say that someone used ratiocination to solve a puzzle, or that their argument was based on ratiocination rather than emotion. Ratiocination is a great word to use when you want to show that you've thought something through carefully and come to a logical conclusion.

Apotheosis

Have you ever reached the peak or pinnacle of something? If so, you've achieved apotheosis. This word comes from the Greek "apotheoun," which means "to deify," and it refers to the act of elevating something to the level of a god or goddess.

For example, you might say that someone's success was the apotheosis of their career, or that a particular event was the apotheosis of their efforts. Using apotheosis can help you convey a sense of ultimate accomplishment or excellence – it's a way to really drive home the idea that something has reached its highest possible level.

Regimen

When you need to describe a systematic plan or course of action, the word regimen is the perfect choice. It comes from the Latin "regimen," which means "rule" or "governance," and it refers to the way that something is governed or regulated.

For example, you might say that someone is following a strict regimen in order to get in shape, or that a company has a well-organized regimen for handling customer complaints. Using regimen can help you convey a sense of structure and organization – it's a way to show that something is being done in a deliberate and consistent way.

Conclusion

We hope you've enjoyed this introduction to five uncommon words that can help you express yourself more precisely and accurately. Whether you're looking for a way to describe creative problem-solving, sharp insights, logical thinking, ultimate accomplishment, or a systematic plan, these words have you covered.

I have only recently heard about this method to improve your listening comprehension alongside your speaking skills. It’s called shadowing.

The concept is that you listen to your target language recording whether it be radio, samples, a podcast... And you repeat immediately. Without stopping, simultaneously, as if you were an interpreter and had to belt out a translation right away. 

Adding よ or ね at the end of your sentences can help soften and add a more natural sound to your spoken sentences! よ is like adding “I tell you” and ね is like “right?” (Keep in mind, these are usually at the end of informal sentences, but you can add them after です as well!)

Here are some examples:

これかわいいね！- This is cute, isn’t it!

日本語は難しいよ - Japanese is hard I tell you!

この食べ物は美味しいですね - This food is delicious, right?!

この花はきれいですよ！- This flower is beautiful I tell you!

Already that makes sentences sound less stiff and even adds personality~

I did my best trying to speak Korean while sharing my tips on how to practice speaking Korean 😂 It’s far from perfect and I am well aware of that, but I’m proud that I was able to finish this video.

My tips aren’t revolutionary or new but hey, if you find it interesting, do give it a watch and subscribe to my channel if you find my other contents helpful as well.

Have a great day my Tumblr friends~

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