How to Improve Speaking Skills in Public Communication

Introduction

Communication remains one of the most essential attributes that qualify every living creature in line with their daily activities. Thus, everyone seeks how to improve speaking skills to communicate effectively in public speaking. This varies in different modes of expression and languages. The nature of Man allows him to pass across and share the ideas, opinions and feelings he has in mind.

This allows deep expression and in this, he actualizes the core value of his relationship with both himself and others including the society at large. Communication for man could come as speaking, writing, singing, signs and even eye contact just to pass across and share particular messages and ideas.

Every individual who lives amongst others in a given environment can never be left out from the system of constant communication which determines the level of understanding and Serenity that could be in existence. Speaking has in time become the most relevant and easy way of communication and understanding to the human person.

It is the most influential way of communication amongst Humans even though there may be every possibility of having slight challenges in expression patterns that could dwindle the efficacy of communication.

In such cases, there are no clear understandings as the messages passed across were not properly transmitted and there could be loopholes when there is a misinterpretation. These loopholes come as a result of certain mistakes that come in place while speaking either as a result of negligence or ignorance.

Efforts then have to be made to know how to improve speaking skills because it could get ugly when speaking and falling prey to this situation which is even seen in cases of public speaking where people have to face huge embarrassments because of these mistakes.

Even with a deep look into the public communication examples that would be seen in this article, one would come to realize that there are several aspects and methods of effective public speaking we overlook that even from common sense, we should be aware of.

There is absolutely no need to stress the importance of knowing the proper way to speak and knowing how to improve speaking skills because it is one basic aspect of our daily routine. However, one basic demand for proper communication is knowledge of how best to improve Speaking skills.

Emphasis is made regarding proper communication because it gives meaning and taste to our day to day activities which should be able to run smoothly when there is proper communication.

One may not be too sure to know when he will be called upon anytime to speak; we even get into conversations daily with people at different places and intervals and would not want to find ourselves in tough positions where we lack the right words of expression.

There is every possibility that you can be called to speak publicly at a birthday ceremony, funeral service, at school, workplace and even when you are hosting one event or the other and you cannot ever be so sure of the right words to use, there are constantly one new thing or the other to learn.

When you are well equipped with the right words and proper manner of speaking, you gain good confidence and stability that you would even be able to withstand the pressure that normally comes from impromptu speaking.

What are Speaking Skills?

These are skills that are required to assist one communicate effectively. They are tools that serve as guidelines to enable you to speak properly and avoid common mistakes. These speaking skills are essential for even public speaking and offer the most effective ways to go about your speeches for easier communication and understanding.

Four Major Speaking Skills

These are the basic requirements for effective communication. They should be able to assist with interpersonal communication and public communication as would be seen in the examples.

They should serve as guidelines to lead you on how best to improve your speaking skills. They include: Fluency, Vocabulary, Grammar and Pronunciation.

#1 Fluency

This deals with how confident and stable one is while speaking. There should be no breakages in words or sentences while speaking, your emotional balance is essential for your speeches. Do well not to mumble words. your ability to organize your words making sure that you strike a balance between one word and the next is important.

Fluency is concerned with how you are able to maintain a balanced posture and harmony while speaking.

One’s ability to flow properly in the right manner while speaking sends across proper meaning to your audience. You seem courageous and this gives your message proper meaning and validity. You are respected and your message can be listened to because you presented in the right manner giving a connection between you and your audience.

#2 Vocabulary

The ability to know the right words to use while speaking is very important. Anyone who knows the right vocabulary is able to pass the right message across even within a short time. It gives proper meaning to the audience giving room for proper communication and understanding.

This aspect of speaking is often neglected but people are advised often to get themselves equipped with proper vocabulary for effective communication. Consulting dictionaries and encyclopedias can be helpful in this aspect. Most people have been made to face huge embarrassments because they lacked the correct words for communication. With the right words, you can communicate the right intentions.

#3 Grammar

This is a major problem in Speaking. Grammar is the system of language structure and construction both in speaking and writing(see morphology and syntax).

 It deals with the proper manner, guidelines and rules governing the placement of words, phrases, clauses and sentences. An example is when your comma, full stop, semi-colon and question marks should be placed including when you should use a word and for how long it should last. Also, with this, you can know when to use your tenses and numbers while speaking.

Learning the right grammatical construction is one essential factor that is required to help you know how to improve speaking skills all the more.

#4 Pronunciation

There have been several cases of conflict and misunderstanding because people failed to pronounce a word in the right way. Knowing the right way to pronounce every word saves you from stress and trouble even when you are not speaking your language. It makes you to be able to pass across your intentions properly to your audience.

How to improve Speaking Skills.

This is a very essential aspect of Human communication as long as we are to be involved in our daily routine. Experiences have shown that no one is too so good in speaking that he does not need to improve his speaking skills. Knowing actually how to improve speaking skills is also another thing.

At one point or the other, we may need more vocabulary or new idioms or even languages just to make up for the ones we have. Learning the best way to speak gives you a stronghold over yourself and even others and it stabilizes your self-esteem.

In public speaking, with the proper knowledge of words and methods of expression, you gain high respect and recognition. One may never be too sure of when he will be called upon to speak; it could be at a political gathering, seminar, ceremonies, debates and even in the church.

There are several ways to improve your speaking skills. They include:

Learning how to speak by speaking often

One simple way is that you learn how to speak by speaking. This means that when you get to practice, you gain strong confidence to speak, you can do this on your own or even with others.

Reflecting over the words

Reflecting over the words in your mind before letting them out can help you avoid certain mistakes and conflicts. It keeps you in a conscious state of mind adding taste to your being.

Reading books and listening to others

Another way is through reading books and listening to others speak. Usually, when you read books such as magazines, novels, dictionaries, encyclopedias and even inspirational books, you get to learn new words and the most suitable ways to use them.

Reading books on proper spelling, pronunciation and grammatical construction can be a vital aid to your speaking skills. Listening to people who can speak well inspires you to speak well.

Attending conferences and mingling with people

You can also learn how to improve speaking skills by mingling with people. Usually, people who do not know how to speak are afraid to get into the public for fear that they would be scorned for speaking wrongly but with the right group of persons and through speaking less and listening more, you can get to learn a lot.

Going to conferences, seminars, paper presentations and other academic and social gatherings should help you in this regard.

Making use of the internet resources

Your phone should also serve as a great tool to help you improve your speaking skills. Browsing the internet for new phrases and words can assist you. You can even learn the correct way of pronouncing most words. Social media platforms can help you also in this regard.

Despite all that has been listed here, there is no limit on how to improve speaking skills because every encounter can be an opportunity.

Public Communication.

This is a method of communication used to convey a specific idea, information, propaganda and program to a mass number of people. As opposed to interpersonal communication, public Communication could be oral or written or even by semiotics and signs.

It is used when trying to convey a particular message or idea to a large number of people. It is used by motivational speakers and even politicians during their campaigns for influential purposes. Public Communication could be Ceremonial, Demonstrative or Persuasive.

In all, it serves a specific purpose which is to pass across an idea or information to a mass number of people. Public Communication examples will help us understand this better.

Public Communication examples.

There are several ways of passing across specific and important information and ideas to people. These public Communication examples are the various ways information and ideas can effectively be communicated to the public.

They include:

• Newspapers
• Magazine articles and adverts etc.
• Radio Broadcast
• Television programs
• Pamphlets
• Direct mail
• Paid adverts either through billboards or posters
• Internet broadcast
• Telephone calls and messages
• Public speaking events like seminars, political campaigns, college lectures and conferences.
• Social media platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp and YouTube.
• Satellite

Etc.

Public speaking

This is simply the ability of an individual to address the public effectively. It is an aspect of public Communication.

There are various ways to be involved in public speaking, either in social gatherings, academic events and even Religious events. As long as you get to speak to the public, it is a method of public speaking. Some of the instances mentioned in the public Communication examples also suffice for public speaking. Speaking at a birthday ceremony and funeral service are good examples of public speaking.

4 Ways to Improve Public Speaking Skills.

#1 Preparation:

You can always get yourself prepared even for impromptu speaking. As long as you are going to be at a gathering where there is every possibility that you will speak, you should always be prepared. Your preparations also must be in line with the event you are going to be it a birthday celebration, wedding or even funeral you must have something to say.

Preparations include practising what you have written down with an outline to guide you as you speak; you could call someone to listen to you to boost your self-confidence. Do not take anything for granted, you can carry out researches on past presentations regarding this.

Also prepare for possible questions that could arise after you must have spoken in order to give effective answers. This shows that you were truly the one who prepared for your speech.

#2 Audience awareness:

This is a very essential aspect of public speaking. Knowledge of your audience gives you a clear picture and idea of what you are going to prepare. It keeps you at a step ahead of your audience because you must have made proper research and even asked questions about how best to address such an audience.

#3 Pattern:

This deals with the manner of speaking. With the knowledge of your audience and the choice of words to use, you can know of the manner of approach to use while speaking. Usually, starting on a lighter note to clear the way using short stories or even humorous comments makes ways for you. Do well also not to speak for too long no matter how interesting you think your topic is to avoid people getting bored and tired. End stylishly giving people every reason to want to hear from you again.

#4 Passion:

This is also essential in public speaking. Your ability to connect effectively with your audience through body movements and even eye contact and tune of voice strike a balance between you and your audience giving them the ability to flow with you.

They are carried along because you express properly with gestures that show confidence. Do well to be jovial and lively. A smile is always important. Allow yourself to be filled with the passion to speak.

Conclusion

Effective communication plays a vital role in human existence. A high percentage of the Human society and events do not move properly because of a lack of effective communication.

The public speaking skills, public Communication examples and even ways of effective public speaking should be able to show us how to improve on our speaking skills.

The constancy in communication shows that at every point in time, communication will run the engine of effective living and production. With the examples of public Communication, we see that the world revolves around constant communication and there is more to communication than speaking.

Communication cuts across the boundaries of writing and speaking and balances some of the loopholes in Human existence. When you speak well, you communicate effectively. From the discussion above, you must have learnt how to improve speaking skills for effective communication.