Friday, March 14, 2008

My First Speech

Do you remember your first speech? Or...Did you just deliver a speech? Better still, will you be presenting your speech soon?

Three interesting questions, not so much rhetorical, but enough to invite response among this blogging community hopefully.

Beginners usually prepare well-crafted speeches, sometimes too perfect that they get trapped in the web of intricate language or complicated concepts and explanation. Instead of developing a suitable speech which explains the topic in simple yet clear language, beginners sometimes underestimate their own capability and end up copying or borrowing somebody else's speech.

A ready-made speech may look very good on paper; nevertheless, it may not match the speaker's style, personality, or worse, ability. This will result in a blunder.

I hope it's comforting to say here that you should try to craft your very own speech. It may sound demanding, but if it succeeds, you shall be proud of your masterpiece. A speech can look very simple for a start. Something like an extended outline, embellished with finishing touches like establishing common ground - use of personal pronouns to bring the topic closer to the audience, use of rhetorical questions to make the audience think along the line of arguments presented in the speech, and personalized information.

Other than that, the speech has to be 'designed' with three aspects in mind: timeliness, proximity and seriousness. Think about this - you want the audience to listen to you for 10 minutes. Wouldn't it do them justice by telling them what they want and need to know more, rather than rambling about matters so detached? Bring the discussion closer to the audience, and work on it!

Hmm...easier said than done...? No. Try it and you will see the difference. Believe in your own intelligence, ability and talent. If you have learned about it in class, it's time to find the strength in you to 'design' your own speech making sure that it suits your oral style and oratory skills.

I'm sure many of you have done just that - having designed your own speech, did it take off as you had expected it to be? In reality, the speech shall be your launching pad. Definitely, you need to have some rounds of rehearsals or practices, and some degree of exposure and experience will take you a step further.

Perhaps you could share with us on this blog what it was like - you know, presenting your first speech? Sooner or later, we shall all go through the same challenge, if not in Public Speaking class...in societies, clubs or get-togethers...think positive. It's an avenue to speak up;)

64 comments:

Anonymous said...

Yesterday,Friday..

That was "kali kelapan"im doing in public speaking but yesterday is the most worse my speech ever..I didn't prepare at all!

Im not feel nervous because before this,i had been presented my speech infront more than 1000 peoples..waaa!!!Thats the most scariest moment!

What Im trying to saying is,before u make a speech,makesure that u well prepare to deliver it.

-Doshite desuka?

Anonymous said...

funny,
i cant remeber my first speech....
but, i dont think it was a total screw up
i attended the public speaking evaluation on friday and it was the most amusing public speaking 'competition' i've seen...
they all had the makings for it.
which reminds me,
i had a friend who threw up on stage but ended up winning.
so w-o-w, haahaha
i''m way off topic

my first public speaking,
i think it was in primary school
but i cant remeber the topic,
funny....

Anonymous said...

speech? hehe.. im not into giving speech or talking in front of other people.. and my public speaking evaluation is on this tuesday.. ouh, wish me luck.. what i cant stand about giving speech is to face all the audience.. sumtimes, i tried to imagine that in front of me is a bunch of deaf people.. so that they wont hear anthing if i make mistakes.. and now i am trying my best to create my own speech so it will be much more easier for me to deliver it..and i've been practising for many times today.. i think enuf practice is one of the important think you should do before making a speech..

EAJ said...

haha... i still remember when I first gave out a speech in front of hundreds of people when I was in form 1...

giving a speech in class something different compared to whole school... you know, u started to trembling, slipping things that shouldn't slip n bla bla bla... hehe...

lucky that the emcee was our ayahanda mr principal, he calmed me down n gave me some tips... huhu...

over all, thought that I end-up blushing for the next 3 hours, I love giving a speech...
(poor me I can't join this year public speaking contest at taylors)

Anonymous said...

i've done many speech before and still, i have those panic in me.
i cant think straight, cant even stand still because i just too nervous too talk and my knee get very week because of the nervous.

yesterday, i do admit i did my speech horribly.. heh. i talk alrite for the intro but then it just getting worst, i even forget everything that i've prepared b4.
*even my slide didnt function well..it only show one slide.heh*
huh, well mdm zue, i think u r rite in saying we have to prepare a week before the speech. so we can be more mentally and physically prepared. well, it already happened so, *redha je la*
hee..

EAJ said...

owh ya maam, I'm writing an article on ethic in my blog...

it's "The Right to Say it Right, Rightly..."

hoping that u can say something about it... have fun...

Dr. Zue said...

hi qila,
oh no..i'm in the audience and i'm also deaf? Can't imagine what you'll get for the evaluation, then. Well, d best is still to treat the whole task as a serious conversation or an academic discussion, and that's all. Please just take-off naturally, that you wanna tell us something and we wanna hear it thru' and thru'.

When we talk with friends, we are usually enthusiastic, animated and seriously making them understand. We ask them questions, look at them, and smile, or whatever...So, in your practice, try to do all these in front of 3-5 friends, and establish good eye contact.

We shall all pray 4 your success next Tuesday. It's evaluation day, so it needs extra thought and preparation. It's not merely a competition where u can chicken-out or leave things to the judges -but it doesn't mean you can't do it. BrEaK a LeG, yah!

Anonymous said...

Hhuhu..my 1st "really" speech is last friday, before this just can be said as speech practise. In my secondary school also i never involved in speech.So that friday was kinda a nightmare and horrible to me.

I can't start my speech properly, i kinda super nervous. When I'm nervous, i can't control myself. I don't remember my point and my practice before this become useless due to my nervous. So from this, i need a lot of prepare.5 days kinda not enough.Maybe 2 weeks and make a rehearsal 1st? Hmm..i need to improve this 1st.

When i see the other, im fell very sad about myself. They can do better than me. While im like a toy in front reading almost whole my text. Suppose im giving a speech not reading.So from here i see that i still lack of my english. Need improvement.

Well, good luck those taking speech at tuesday. I gonna be there, learn how my friends can speech better than me. Hope Pn Zue also still can teach me although our class is at the end>.<

Dr. Zue said...

Doshite Desuka? and zein's entries explain it all...no assurance that you'll do it right the second or third time, even...but experience is the best teacher, and we should just learn from our mistakes to improve ourselves..more practice?more reading? may be...

As for Remy, there's alwiz the first time. But it should never be the last. Continue to speak up via blogging, and the same flow of thought will help boost confidence and fluency in any of your coming speech.. we shall keep in touch in the "blogosphere".

cheers:)

daenz said...

My first speech? I don't think I had any. Unless, speech = presentations, story telling, etc.

The first time I stood in front of possibly a hundred people is in a story telling contest when I was in standard three I think. I was going to tell the story about the three little kittens. But once I got on stage I freaked out!! Once I saw the audience I ran off the stage. The next day I went to school as if nothing happened. Good thing theres no such term as embarrassment in our kids dictionary. But if it were today, I would dig a hole and bury my face in it..haha...

But later on in high school I was given a lot of chance to face my fear. I stood in front of the whole school countless times for various reasons. Not for bad reasons of course..hehe...

In uniten, throughout the course, you can't run away from presentations. It's a good thing surely coz it trains you to be a professional. You learn a lot through these experiences, be it good or bad.

For me, every time I'm up there, I don't think of myself. What if I stumble, what if I forget this and that. No. Because in my opinion, the more you think of it, the more you lack focus. The more you lack focus, the more prone you are in making those kind of mistakes. But in spite of that, I still get butterflies in my stomach. The anxiety of waiting for your turn..is oh my...

What I'm more concerned of is whether the audience would understand me. Is my explanation clear enough. Through that thinking, I would strive more to make them understand. I perceive them as intelligent people. I want to explain everything so that later on, they don't need to ask further questions. In that sense, I think you'll get more confident in presenting your materials.

annette said...

tuesd...i did my speech abt diabetes..i tried my best...i tok witout referin 2 de ppr... bt actually ma speech was oni for 5 mint..was sad abt it..was damn nervous..bt i won 4gt Pn Zue...she is a such a great english lecturer..n i kinda realise..dat sum of ma classmate..reli improved themselves..bcoz of pn.zue's encouragement..wana tk dis opportunity 2 tank PN ZUE..i won 4gt hr in my life..gonna mis hr a lot..tankz a lot PN ZUE for everything u done 4 us..i hope, i did my best on tuesd..

Anonymous said...

It was my first my first experience giving speech on last friday.First of all, i was just relax, but when it come to my turn to give speech i went to front of the class.

When i was standing there the quite situation of the class make me uneasy and panic.

so at last i try my level best to give my speech as good as possible.
It teach me to improve myself,in giving a speech.It was a great experince in my life........

-Mani-

Dr. Zue said...

Yes, that's the way to do it, Mani. I like your spirit. This first experience will kinda allow you to prepare better for your next speech. Like I said in class, if you think u are nervous, everybody is as nervous, coz nervousness is natural in public speaking. It's how we handle the situation that makes a difference. We shall keep in touch in this blogosphere, ya...:)

Anonymous said...

our first speech..
before we all doin dis, we r very nervous.. haha.. many thing happen before dis speech, such as, crying at upten..haha.. who's dat??, scream but not too loud lar, n others..hehe.. but dis is da best experience for us.. we learn to speak in front of people.. in a nutshell, we all really enjoy it.. hope to do dis in future.. thanks pn.zue..

Anonymous said...

The swimming became important today. We like swimming for tow reasons.
Firstly; it can make us healthy, when we swim we move all our body. This will reduce cholesterol love in our blood .Also it's make our blood in us body move .And it's good for people have unguent.
Secondly: swimming us hoppy is not individuals we can swim to gather and having funny day .It also make our body beautiful.


Hawsawi Abdullah
Mohammed Saeed Shehab
class/Perhenteian
abxy99@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

I like skating very much of tow reesons.Firstly there are many different tricks you can do on a skate and make up.
Forinstancei 180,360,540,x move,slaiding.

Secondly there are always now place to skate as long as things are being built.
some people was enjoy skating in the park.Others people was want to play at street.

I think of skating as a way to express your self.....

Anonymous said...

Football
I like playing football for two reasons. The first reason theris alt of the movements Imake will give me good health and I'm going to be strongr. My second reason is I will spend my time propelry this is because Iwill use my free time with actvites . Besides, Ican relaks my mind whenever Iplay football with my friends.


Name/Abdulmajeed wasit
and
Name/mohammed salh

nuckaim said...

Most students experience stage fright before giving their first speeches. This is entirely normal.

I've came across an article quoted that many actors, musicians, and athletes believe that nervous energy enhances their level of performance.

The more experience you gain as a speaker, the easier it will be for you to use your nervousness to give an energetic, enthusiastic, animated speech. It's exactly what Pn. Zue said that ".. experience is the best teacher".

I've read a few tips on how to overcome this stage fright situation. First, sit quietly in your chair and take several slow,
deep breaths. This will relax you and reduce your discomfort by getting more oxygen to your brain.

Another best advice for stemming stage fright is practice, practice,
practice which is also quoted in Pn. Zue's comments "..more practice?". Rehearsing your speech the proper way is the single most effective way to build confidence and to combat stage fright.

I think that's all from me.. Thanks..

Mohamed Naim
SN 081959
UNITEN

lan87 said...

interesting topic...

i am trying to recall back the moments of my very first speech. it was back in my schooldays when i was in form 3. my English teacher from back then, requested me to give a speech in front of hundreds of students from my school during our 'English Week'. although I i were forced to do it, later I found it to be fun and a very great experience for me. it was just the kind of exposure i needed to boost my self confidence.

i can't remember exactly what the topic was, but it had to do with English Literature and the Malaysian culture. the text was prepared by my teacher, so all I had to do were to read it out loud in front of everyone at my school.

so, for me, the experience was very meaningful to me. after some time of absence from doing public speaking, I find it to be a bit intimidating and scary again.

perhaps after Pn. Zue's class and with enough exposure, I can gain back the confidence that I had lost.

~~SHIKIN~~ said...

salam madam zue..

i like this topic because i just presented my first speech at your class on tuesday(8 december 2009), it was impromptu speech... i really scared when you called my name and asked me to do impromptu speech in front of my classmates...my hand is shaking, i'm nervous and so on...but, that was a sweet memory to me cause at least i'm not just standing and mute...haha. i know that my first impromptu speech is not good enough but insyaAllah, next week is evaluation and i really hope i can do my best and impress you...~~

SNAR said...

salam n hye madam..

tuesday,ws my first speech in UNITEN.thanks madam,because gave me a chance to speech in front of my classmates and also you as my beloved lecterur..hehe..I know,my speech ws totally worse and also not good to heard.hehe.

first,i'm seriously nervous and felling damn ashamed.i suppose to be a good speaker that time,but..its gone.huwaaaaaaa....nothg interesting but,grammartical mistakes and too lack of vocab.I don't why,sometimes,i became speechless and don't have any idea to talk about.OMG,i think i don't have enough practise...hurmmm.=(

other than that,my first speech in UNITEN,make me guilty with my lecterur,friends,family and also myself.i suppose to make myself became good speaker and take it as my challenge to success in speech.=(

Before this,in sencondary school i ws involved in story telling.it same liked ths speech.you know why??i'm very2 ashamed with all audience and also with judges.i try to be strong and also to be myself.and,at last,i got it.i'm in 3rd place tht time.hehe.

Speech also give us good self-confident to present our idea,talk and others.thats why,if anyone who are involve in politic they must build their self-confident by speech in front of voter and also in parliament.

For me,i would like to be as doshite desuke,daenz and anyone who wre gave talked at many time.it really2 good.it also try to help us in future speech right??more experience can help us to be a success person in this world...XD

last but not least,my first speech in UNITEN,ws totally worse..i hope another speech i can give better than what i do on last tuesday.thnx to mdm zue because give us chance to talk at in front ya...heee...till then,wslm..=)

Dr. Zue said...

hi ecot...ooowhhh..don't feel so down about it..i thought the audience liked you much. well, there has got to be a 'first' attempt before we embark properly on our road to success. i know u r interested in developing the 'speaker' in u, so let's pave d way to success and practice more...u can also join clubs and seminars, and participate actively in group discussions..these are baby steps to big presentations. this semester, we shall do it all togetehr in class. hope that helps, dear:)

b0ol said...

yup,my first speech in your class..haha..d first time that i can't foget where im s0o nerv0us and my b0dy is shaking in front of my frenz,aiyaa..s0o shy,wat eva..huhu..tankz mdam c0z give me d 0purnity that had improve me a l0t,tankz....

si biri-biri said...

Salam mdm zue..
First time speaking in front all always not so good to everyone. My first time speaking in front of my classmate was so bad for me. All my ideas disappear when I’m in front. That time, I felt like in front of me was a dinosaur that wanted to eat me. Huhu. Some elaborations out of my topic and not related with it. Oh MG. I’m sure my marks will be lower than another. Therefore, I feel so nervous. All the audience stared at me, not looking at me. And they make me come more nervous. My confident also decreasing by time. I think that all I’ve said is nothing for them and content many grammatical error. So, I think, it’s better to improve my speaking skill.
Till then, wassalam.

Bobo said...

for the first time for my speech, i feel that i m LACK OF CONFIDENCE. i cant speak english very well, and i cant write tho. hmm. for me, i'll make a "mind-map", when it is my turn to give a speech, i felt very nervous and all my points that i wrote was very2 messy,ahaha. i hope, i'll make a good speech on this UNITEN's study. i need someone who could teach me about verbs,grammar,vocabs.
onamae wa BOBO :) IT/2010.

saya said...

Today is the first day I gave a speech in your class .. I was very nervous so I forgot what I want to talk. I felt very embarrassed because I made many mistakes, especially in grammar and vocabulary. My biggest problem now is that I have to give a speech in English. I need more practice and I want to thank to you for calling me to make a speech .. at least I've tried my best and will try to improve my English ..

Speaking in front is very important for us to establish our confidence .. it can also form in us the courage to speak out in front .. public speaking also very important to us in the future .. i mean our time in the job later on .. so, we have to start from now and do more practices..

Dr. Zue said...

Dear saya,
I'm glad u appreciate d opportunity. i wish u all d best 4 public speaking. remember to practise anytime, and completely anywhere.
tots alwiz: Puan Zue

zhiquan tan said...

My first speech? I do not really remember when and where was the first time I did it. What I can remember is every time when I was ask to deliver a speech the nervousness running all over my body. But when time past by and I have been ask to deliver speech for several times I was able to control myself from showing off my nervousness. With all the practice and advice, now I was able to deliver a speech. And its all thanks to Pn.Zue that have guiding us and given us all the precious advice and speaking skills.

suhaib_ayib said...

Salam Pn.Zue,

Speech??hehe..I wannna share something about myself..actually,I seldom speak in public before..because i have no opportunity seems I'm a shy person..but today,it's a blossom day for me cause I''ve done my impromtu speech in my english class..I would like to thank Pn.Zue cause she helped me very well in my speech from her advices and comments..

Besides that,I also would like to share with everyone that I dislike and I can not speak in front audience in formal..But I prefer and I know I can speak in public very well such as "CRO" (customer relation offficer) , or handle any events (facilitator)..

Finally,I hope I can improve my public speaking in future..and my expectation is I hope expecially Pn.Zue can help me regarding my problem.. :) Thank you very much.. BYE!!!

E-kin said...

Assalamua'laikum,Pn zue...

when we talk about the speech, everyone will sayed "ermm, it seem look like scary" but it actually something interesting activity that the best one help us to improve our self confidence. These happened in my first speech when I do my impromptu speech in class. Its very challangers for me because it not easy to give speech infront of the audience. The feel of nervouness always happened with me. Sometimes , I protect myself from nervous with imagine that I talk to the wall or I talk to children. This way can help me to remove nervous feeling from myself. Maybe the others aslso can use this way to protect themselves.

In addition, the first speech you done.It can give you some learning to you to improve your speech. From that, your next speech will more good then first speech. Besides, we also must do practice talk at audience. For an example, you can talk infront of the mirror and imagine that you give talk to the audience. This practice will help you to improve your language, grammar and your face expression. There are too many ways you can use to improve yourself. Just depends on you how to choose it.

After that, there are some ways to make audience like your sppech.For an example, think about the image you want to convey. When you were speaking to children, smile a lot and look friendly and warm.Then, you have to learn to like the audience. That may seem simple but burried in that idea is a powerful principal of psychology. You must used a clear and strong tone without sounding artificial or overbearing. So, you know yourself and you know how to improve yourself. Make speech is easier for yourself and it will be common to your life. The best way you learned, the great speech you get.

Good luck and thank you... =)

~hema~ said...

hi, Pn.Zue,

"my first speech", it was a most nervous experience because i'm really shy when infront of public.
but if we start talk we won't nervous i realise it when i'm study at secondary school.

the public speaking my teaher ask me participate, actually i really don wan, but i have no choose have to go on.when start talk i'm very nervous, after few min i can talk as usual. it was like a magic for me at that time.

then, here at pn.zue class, nervousness attack me again but i confidence that i can do. another think is our ideas. if we have no ideas what we wan talk, we wil become blur and cannot talk anything.

i would like to thank pn.zue last trimester every class pn.zue give us change to talk maybe because of that now i'm confidence i can talk infront of people, but if i have no ideas what have to talk, it will effect...

this trimester also pn.zue give us a lot of advise. i wll try my best to talk well. if anything wrong, i hope pn.zue will correct me.
thank you.

jiva 77 said...

Hi Mrs.Zue ,
Im pretty not sure about my first speech in public , but i know that was the hardest time of my life . Every pairs of eyes were looking at me that time and i was realy very nervous to speak in front of the public during that time . But I was realy thankful to my lecturer Mrs.Zue . She gave us a lot of word of encouragement in order for us to speak in public speaking . She is such a wonderful person to us no matter how we are . Im sure I can do my best on Monday and make Mrs.Zue proud of us . Thank you again Mrs.Zue .

noorsyamiera said...

my first speech?it was only once or twice i guess,when im in secondary school.i remember the moment i started to talk and the whole crowd is staring at me and it makes my nervousness going up to the maximum level till i cant remember things i should said.

eventough i've practice alot at home,in front of the mirror but then when it comes the time to give speech i was like totally nervous and then i started to pray to God so i can do as i've practice before and Alhamdullilah i manage do it even with my hand shakes.And i still hope that i dont have to give speech in future
:D

~cheetah gurl~ said...

my 1st speech title was love,joy, and also peace...actually i really didn't expect that pn.zue will choose me since the other students was choosen by de speaker and i was really damn nervous because i don't know what to talk just because i was damn shy..that was the 1st time im doing my speech in my life infront of students..even for my oral in form 5 i go n do it personally with my teacher..but now im abit brave to give speech infront of the students just because pn.zue always choose me in the class 4 speech..i hope i will do well in my impromptu speech this monday with god's grace n blessing...

FitriHakim said...

salam puan zue....

my first speech is when i was in secondary school,i was choose by my class teacher to give speech about food.in that time i was so happy but nervous also because it was my first time to do speech.that was the best experience for me because it give me a new experience how we speech in front of the other and how to overcome my nervous.to give speech to everybody is interesting think to do because with speech we can see all people give attention when you give speech then there also the smile that the audience that heard our speech make our feeling to become more excited to give speech. i always enjoy my speech although it a bad speech...
so have fun with your speech.. :)

Thava said...

Dearest Pn.Zue

Delivering a good speech is really hard.I realised it for the very first time last Thursday when I gave my speech in front of my coursemates.It was totally a new experience for me as I have never given a speech in front of so many people before.My opinion on my speech that day is that I did not do well as I expected.I feel like I could have done better than what I did.Actually when I went to the front,I tend to forget everything I prepared to speak.It is the most terrible feeling as I really want to do well but I couldn't.Basically this experience had taught me to be more prepared to make something better.I think now I have a good impression on public speaking.Before this I thought it was not my kind of activity.Now I feel that public speaking could be fun when we take it seriously and put an effort on it.So thank you Pn.Zue for the wonderful opportunity.

akmal roslee said...

i didn't remember so much my first speech, but I love to speak or giving a speech because for me it is a good experience.
As what I remember, I had my first speech in primary school, it was the worst ever. My hand keep shaking and my pronunciations is bad. I hate it so much as I feel that i don't want to speak in front of a crowd anymore.
But it is a good experience as it help me a lot to build my self confidence. So, keep talking...

Anonymous said...

i cant remember whats my first speech.... i was took part in public speaking when i was 13 years old...
Thats my first experience....
when i was in that time, i feel very scared in front of nearing 100 students..... but i did well in that contest and the good news is i won the second price........
if we are nervous also, we should not show our nervousness infront of every one..... because it can ourself unconfident with our full preparation...
public speaking is one of a superb subject which can make a person confident and can be a future public speaker...hopefully...
i really happy to have Pn. Zue as my lecturer to improve my language and be a good speaker in my future...... anyway thanks to Pn. Zue...we really glad to have u for this semester....
hopefully, i do my level best for my public speaking......

jenny said...

my first speech was when i was in form one ................the moment my miss called me to do my first oral in front of the class i was damn nervous and shy....i was scared that my classmates may laugh at me......bt the moment i went in front of my class,nothing i think bout i jez went n speak n speak bout my research .....hmmmmm then ni me realise tat me cn do my public speaking n i cn speak.......finally in my oral mark me got A n B's...........wahhh wat a great......i cn speak

Unknown said...

For sure do not remember my first speech. I think i did not ever give a speech before this. N0 wonder I now I am very nervous to give a speech now.
In my opinion, we must being expose on how to give a speech since we are in the primary school, but maybe since kinder garden time.When we are already being exp0se to this situation, it is easy for us in giving a speech and talk.
As us know, not many of people tend to do speech in front of many people especially on stage. In addition, they will feel very nervous and they can feel blood running very fast over their b0dy.At this phase, the speaker are tend t0 do many mistake and show their nervousness for an examples, pale face, shaking hand and feet. But, as l0ng as the speaker can control it, it will move smoothly.
As a conclusion, in first speech speaker tend to do so many mistakes and showing their weakness. So, as a speaker you decide weather to do successfully speech of to do a unsuccessfully speech. The decision is in your hands.

aishu said...

my first speech was so nice coz eventhough my english is not so fluent but i can make it ...i was the first person on tat day...i just go n talk like normal...it was a gud experience 4 me..i like it...

snma said...

My first speech was in 2004. It wasn't really a speech though, it was more like a dialogue performance and I had to do the introduction. But what happen was, I just stood there, with the mike in my hand, staring blankly at the audience. IT WAS SO EMBARRASSING! And a friend of mine was whispering something in my ear, but my heart was thumping so hard it made me feel like I could puke and pass out anytime. At the end I just passed the mike to my friend and stood behind her. Since that very day I never try anything like that anymore. I figured out that public speaking is one of my worst fear. But I don't know why. I'm pretty sure my problem isn't diffidence, I always have so much to say,and I do have the confidence...but when the time comes I just won't be able to handle it.
I rather face death than public speaking :/
xx lola

Anonymous said...

I've done a lot of speech. sadly, all of it was during my primary school time..never really into school activities during high school indeed. I cant remember my first speech, but barely able to forget the first time I was asked to give a speech. I was in standard5 at that time, the school year nearly ends. The teacher calls all standard5 students to the hall. She said that she wants to appoint a new head of students for the following year..the scene started when she said "ketua murid untuk tahun depan ialah Aliff Asyraff. Tahniah, sila beri sepatah dua kata". I was really nervous at that time. suddenly they found out I'm crying badly. That was a bittersweet moment for me actually. I was quite a "kaki nangis" when I was a boy but very hard to cry since being a shy adolescent.aha "banyak dosa" I guess.

Nirosha Xavier said...

To be truthful, I could not recall the first time I was brought forward to deliver a speech. However, one thing I could recall for sure is that it was delivered with anxiety as I was probably too young to master the art of public speaking. As I grew older together with a great deal of responsibilities, my aptitude for public speaking grew too, particularly in my 2nd Trimester in my Foundation year as I had a fantastic coordinator who has helped me enormously in developing my public speaking skills. Now, I truly have the guts to deliver a speech with confidence and poise and at the same time nurture my leadership skills. My public speaking skills have undoubtedly come a long way since and I’m greatly contented with my dexterity now.

emira said...

salam

I think most people do not remember when were their first speech including me. Maybe when I'm still in kindergarten, or primary school or secondary school. Of course when we say the word 'first', it means that it is something we never done before. So, i'm quite sure that i was really nervous and anxious when i'm delivering my first speech. But, it was a very interesting experience as we can learn many things when giving a speech such as building up our confidence level and be brave to share our opinion with others. I remember when I was in PLKN. There was a class called CB class which is Character Building class. At the end of every lesson the students were invited to stand in front to share their opinions and experiences. One of my friend who is a very shy person has change to be a talkative person and have high self-esteem in himself and yuo know? His first step was giving his first speech in front of the class. So, all i have to say. Just try. We'll find the fun when we talk. ;)

IKI said...

I have many kind of experience speech ….but ‘bout my first speech , hm…. Let me recall it ... I guess my speech was “About motivation” . The moment I about to gave the speech all nervousness strike me . I couldn’t overcome that nervous . It jus blocking my thinking . Then I said stumble word . Some idea b’came fading away.

I just want the delivery that I gave was prefect and clear . It seems I have be more talkative ,so that I can give amazing idea ...Think my past as my lesson.

Dineswaran said...

Dear Pn.Zue

I gave my first speech when i attended a motivation course few years back.At first i was damn nervous when the head motivator called me to come infront and told me to share my experiences infront of hundreds of people.When i reached infront i couldn't even feel my hands,i felt super cold and my hands were numb.When i started to talk i felt normal but i started to forget my points and my mind went blank after a moment.So i guess it was not a good start for my first speech in public.Its not that i can't give a speech in public.Im just to much worried about my stammering problem.I really hope that i can get over this problem of mine very soon.

vicky6 said...

Dear Pn Zue...


My first speech was terible because i didnt prepared for it due to over confident.I got panic and forget what im suppose to talk.Since that day,i learn to prepare for my speech and also learn to give spontan idea according to the flow of my topic.Same goes in my english class with pn zue where she will randomly give any topic and we have to elobrate it within 5mins,which is damn interesting and also challenging.So guys and girls,as a conclusion we shud be well prepare before doin any speech giving so that the audience will understand and get interest by your speech :)

-vicky6-

thivagar said...

First speech? cant really remember when was it.perhaps during schooling whereby i was holding few posts and got to deliver either an introductory speech or farewell speech. basically it was tough with no experience in bag and once facing the crowd,everything will get stuck,blurr and too complicated. nervousness arouse without the limit.at that particular moment,if u fail to get yourself back on track,everything including the main body of your speech will disappear juz lk being strucked lightning and datz it! trust me,i faced it for my first ever welcoming speech during my inter-state atheletics tournement where i was just a stone thrown away from being a victim of nourvesness.besides,lack of self confidence is another contributing factor to the 'disaster' of the speech. a speaker with great level of confidence usually can face the crowd and deliver the speech effectively. but not for me,as my confidence wasn't high enough to overcome the nervous in me.thus,everyone will be able to deliver their speech even it is for the first time if they are well-prepared and high in confidence.just give your best even its not your cup of tea.choices are in your hand!

yash said...

The first day I deliver my speech when I represent my group members. That time I don’t feel so nervous to speak upon. It is because of group work and all the points are there for me and I just have to elaborate it. But when it comes to impromptu speech oh my goodness I lost everything and I stuck with my point I can’t even speak and stand straight because of my nervousness .Before this in class I never been call upon so when it comes to the first day of my impromptu speech suddenly I felt scared, shiver, and even lost my control to speak and that time I lack of my points and the way I talk really worst. Some of my friends try their best and most of them did excellently job for the impromptu speech. I wish to say that if everyone practice they should have ability to speak upon bravely.From my view, as a student we should speak upon and must try to avoid fearless and be a brave person to share our ideas and thoughts.

eL said...

I do remember when the first time i give a speech. It is when im was in form two. Im not give a speech in english, instead i speak in arabic based on the text given.

so many error and wrong here and there while delivering the speech. but, its okay because its my first time to deliver the speech. LOL!!!

i used to be a prefect at secondary school,then i'd trained and practice how to handle the morning assembly. IT IS TRUE THAT NERVOUS ARE CONTROLLING US. BUT, ITS JUST FOR A WHILE.

On my experienced, i am shaky just like parkinson person. then, WHEN IM RELAX, it seems going smoothly.

FEEL THE FLOW, thats my tactics to handle a speech or other talks.

sometimes, we must DO A LOT OF PRACTISING IN FRONT OF MIRROR, TALK WITH FRIENDS, COMMITMENT IN CLASS for better speech deliver..

DIV said...

First speech?It was 3 years ago where i spoke in front of public.

I represent my school in sports carnival.I gave a speech during closing ceremony.It is because i being nominated as one of the 5 students who active in my school.

I felt damn nervous but i manage to handle it because my teachers and friends were there.The only word i said to myself was GO.I gave my speech as good as i can.The results was positive as after my speech,everyone came and see me and praise me.

My last word is dunt afraid,be yourself,grab the confident and give your speech as to show that we also can do it.

Avinesh Nagaraju said...

Hai, Madam Z


The time in school is the most beautiful and colorful time in our lives. It gives us a backlog of memories. There are many things that we really want to forget, but many other things that make us remember forever. I can remember an incident on how I feared public speaking, but finally conquered it. When I was a 11 years old, I was so shy that I would not cross a street because I saw someone I knew in the distance walking towards me, and I was afraid I might have to say hello to them. Thank God! As the years passed, it got a little better. I wasn't afraid to talk to anyone, but yes, even a small thought of public speaking was just nerve taking. Therefore, my teacher gave my name for a speech. When she told me about it, I was so frightened that I immediately refused. But she just handed me the topics to prepare. I felt so helpless and afraid. I spent sleepless nights, thinking just about the competition. It was like an apparition, following me wherever I went. Finally, the day arrived. "You can do it"- just these lines were giving me some confidence. But once I peeked through the curtains from backstage and saw the filled auditorium, I had a total meltdown and I was more terrified than I had ever been in my life. I told her that there was NO WAY I was ever going to be able to speak to that huge group. My teacher gripped my shoulder firmly. She turned my face up to her, looked me in the eyes, and then she told me that I could do this. She said anyone can speak to a group of people, no matter how large the frigging group is, if they are the expert on the subject they're going to talk about. I have full confidence in you. You can do it. I'll tell you something else. You're worried about all of the education 'out there' ... well let's get something straight. You've done something that none of them have done. Last but not least, it was my first time to address so many people. After a deep breath, I walked out onto the stage and as I was being introduced, I felt the adrenalin start to pump. I put a smile on my face, and as I looked out into that sea of faces, I saw that they were smiling, too. The lights were flashing my eyes and I was trying pretty hard to compose myself. Standing on the podium, I bowed, I smiled, and I started my speech. It was my first speech.

sharpsaad said...

Assalamualaikum Pn Zue,

Everyone has experiencing their first public speech. I can't remember when was my first speech, but I'm sure it was a very meaningful experience. My first speech was happen when I speech in secondary school. I as the prefect of the SMT Kajang. I was talk about school discipline to follow the law. First of all when I speak to the students I am very nervous because it is my first time to speech. Before I was stand in the stage, I am very blur and my hand was shaking. But, I has to speak up and do my job. I was set my mind to think positively and try my best to do.
Finally, I was finished my speech without do anything mistakes. I think enough practice is one of the important things to develop our self confident before we started to speech. Thank you.

Fariq said...

The first time I stand in front of the people to deliver my speech, I feel so nervous, my hand cannot stop shaking and I am speechless. Hahaha. Everyone in that class staring at me, I feel so embarrassed and I keep looking at the floor. I feel shy and blur to share my ideas because I thought that everyone will laugh at me. That is the experience when I trying to gave my first speech. Until now, I feel nervous to talk in front of the people, but the nervous feeling is not like the first time I gave speech. I hope I can overcome the problems soon.

Megat Rock said...

My first speech was in standard 3. Oh God! The first time I stand in front of a crowd. At that time, my heart was in fastest beating. Haha. I was so nervous and scary. When I hold the microphone, the microphone was shaking because I am too nervous. Every eye sees me. Oh God! What I want to talk about? All the memorizing is gone because I am panic! Hihihi.
I take a deep breath. Then, I start my speech. “Assalamualaikum and very good morning to all. Today, I would like to talk about Independent day”. Suddenly, I forgot to elaborate my points. “Em, emmmm”. Just like that. Haha. Everybody laugh at me. I was so shy and very humble. But, it’s ok. I try to speak! Then, I forgot again. Actually, I already forgot the text. Hahahahaha.
I said in front of the crowd that I do not remember anything what I want to talk about. Everybody laugh at me again. Ahhh!! Never mine. It was the bad experience because I forgot the text and embarrassing myself.

Arif Yusof said...

My first ever real speech that i had in life i think it was in year 2008 when i was 16 years old.

me and my friends had to present a speech about anything in the class & and the teacher was very supporting towards our topic. Of course everyone was nervous at first so thats why i did a practice and keep practice for my speech. because i believe practice makes perfect. After I've done my full practice i'm totally ready to give a dynamic speech full with surprises.

During the speech, everybody was speaking fluently and in fact nobody gave puses or lack of ideas, because they ready to talk & theres no looking back hehe.

so, my bottom line is, don't ever make a last minute habit, and practice makes perfect

yash said...

Hmm I was 10 that time. My English teacher called me and wanted me to represent the call for a public speaking competition. I was shocked for a moment. The first thing came in my mind was "why me???"

Then I was like ok it’s going to be my first public speaking, let’s give it a try. So I got my speech ready. Got some help from my classmates. Before going for the competition, I showed my speech to my English teacher.

Then with nervous I went for the competition. At first it was ok, but when it comes to my turn to talk, I felt like the earth just slipped from the ground.

I took a deep breath and started my speech. The judges, teachers and students all were looking at me. And that’s when the percentage of my nervousness increased. But after talking for about 5 minutes, my nervousness decreased.

I managed to complete my speech. It was such a relived feeling. I got 3rd place for the competition I was so happy. Ha-ha.. My English teacher came upon me and congratulated me. She told me that I have the capability to talk but the only thing that stops me is my nervous.

Now in UNITEN, we are learning about public speaking. And I just finished my impromptu speech. I managed to talk but I guess I was out of points too. But it was a good experience talking in front of the whole class..

mekala said...

Hi madam Zue...

My first speech...!! I don't really remember my fist speech because i don't have a chance to deliver a speech in my life. It may sounds funny but its true because, i am a shy person... Every time when the public speaking moments comes, i will started to sweat and even the fear. Sometimes, i can't even control my self. Its all because of the nervousness inside of me..!!! Besides that, everyone thinks that practicing our speech will be beneficial, especially if we do not practice it so often that it becomes a memorized speech. But, practicing our speech under conditions that duplicate your classroom can also help. Furthermore, in class especially during English period, i wish that Pn.Zue won't pick me to deliver a speech or a opinion, but unfortunately i will be called out... hmmm, that moment, i will start to shiver and sometimes i don't even know what i have speak out!!! Finally, i wish i could speak bravely like my other classmates, it just that i should practice more and involved in many activity so that i can improve my skills and be a better speaker...

Anonymous said...

diyana said,

i didnt remember when was the first time i delivered a speech, but the most unforgettable and most terrible speech i'd ever delivered was on 2007, when i was in form 3. actually it was not really a speech, it was a debate competition. That was the first and the last time I ever enter the debate competition. Cant u imagine? when it’s time for me to deliver my points, I’m blank and I kept on repeating the same point without any specific elaboration. From that time, I’d promise myself not to enter any debate competition anymore.
But when the time flies, I manage to rise up my confidence level and I can feel that I am more confident than before. In a nutshell, as for me, to deliver a good speech, we need to have a good confidence level and have a many general knowledge, so that, people cannot look down on us.

Khairul Aizat Azhar said...

I've done my first speech during my school time. For me, speaking in public is sometimes very interesting. But sometimes I'm extremely nervous when I standing in front of peoples and they're looking for me. Before I start the speaking, I always have a lot of ideas to talk or to shared. But at the time I standing in front of peoples, it is automatically I lost all the ideas that what I'm going to talk. This is due to because of the nervousness. Then, when I've finished my talk, I can remember back the words that I'm suppose to talk during the speaking. However, I like when the audience give their feedback during my speech such as they're laughing, clap their hands or response when I question them. I feel like more confidence to talk. But I'm start to feel some kind of worried or lost of confidence when the audience start talking among the others, doing other things or do not concentrate to my speech. And the nervousness is suddenly gone when I've finished my speech.

theva24 said...

In the beginning of this class, I did not think it was going to be possible for me to get up in front of the class and discuss anything aloud. I was a nervous a wreck just from the thought of it. After viewing fellow students with the same uneasy feelings as I had made me realize I had no reason to sweat. There were some students that struggled and some that looked at ease. My first speech was somewhat flat and unorganized. For any listener, you could tell I was not a professional. I tried to sum of my life in about 12 minutes. I did not make it. From my experience of first speech, I learned to point out key point and organize them in a way to guide the audience the way I want them to go. My second speech was a little bit better. At first, I was extremely nervous which caused me to read verbatim from my notes. I did not link with the audience. After awhile, I calmed down and backed away from my jotted down notes.That makes my marks deducted..and makes me totally upset...but the support and encouragement from ma'am is really unforgettable in my life....thank you ma'am...I won't 4get you as long as I lived...

maisurah-blank!!!!! said...

hai mdm zue,

this night, i can spent my night to read your blog...which is interesting to me...it is because of. it is really related to me.

3 September 2012 is IRIS2012 conference in kuching. i would be presenter on that day. i don't really know this is kali berapa, i have be presenter. But in this conference, this is my first experience to be a presenter in such of this occasion.

i feel too nervous this night...more and more... i could sleep for two night cause of spend my time to prepare in my presentation.

i think because in English...this is my problem.......help me......

Dr. Zue said...

hi maisurah, i'm glad u've found an article which prompts u to write. well, of course u can do it!! and u must catch up on yr sleep!! my tips?? English is only the language - medium of communication. sometimes when u r stuck, explain aje in Malay..well, we r still in malaysia...u r safe!! hehe..

practise the sentences. at the bottom of the powerpoint, type the notes...script...hehe..if u panic, u can refer to the script.

but try to prepare your explanation and presentation.IMPORTANT!! and, rehearse. ikhlas..mesti rasa macam u want to share your findings with the audience... they want to listen to your research, so tell them about it... believe that you want to talk to your audience, and they'll listen to you.

if u r still nervous, now u may want to listen to your own friends talking about it...check out this title: The nervous speaker...u can learn a lot from there, insyaAllah. all d best, dearest!!