Author:
Wade Cornelius
Subject:
Public Speaking, English Language Arts
Material Type:
Unit of Study
Level:
Academic Lower Division
Tags:
  • THECB Grantee
  • License:
    Creative Commons Attribution
    Language:
    English

    Unit 8: Coping with Speech Anxiety

    Unit 8: Coping with Speech Anxiety

    Overview

    In this unit, you will learn about dealing with one of the most common fears in our society: the fear of public speaking, which is referred to as communication apprehension (CA).  By reading this chapter, you will learn about CA; not necessarily how it develops, as that can be different in every individual, but rather about how people can deal with it effectively. You will learn how therapies employed by psychologists to help people deal with phobias can be translated into effective techniques to deal with CA.

    Your coursework for this unit consists of the following:

    1. Read about the nature of public speaking anxiety and approaches to cope with it.

    2. Next, you will evaluate your personal level of public speaking anxiety.

    3. Then you will watch and reflect on a Ted Talk about the importance of embracing public speaking

    4. Next you will watch a second Ted Talk on coping with speech anxiety.

    5. Finally, you will assess your knowledge of the concepts discussed in this unit through a game-style review.

    Unit 8 Overview

    “I have to do what?”

    You receive your syllabus on the first day of public speaking class, and you see that a significant percentage of your overall grade for the semester depends upon one, ten-minute oral presentation in front of the class. The presentation is to be based on an original research project and is due in eight weeks.

    You are excited to get an email after a very positive job interview. They ask you to come to a second interview prepared to answer a number of questions from a panel made up of senior management. The questions are contained in an attachment. “Please be ready to stand in the front of the room to answer,” the email reads; ending with “See you next week!”

    The plans are finalized: You will have dinner to meet your new fiancé’s family on Saturday night—just days away. But, then you are told that your fiancé’s father, a former Marine and retired police officer, will want to talk about politics and current events—and that he will likely judge what sort of person you are based on how well you can defend your ideas.

    In this unit, you will learn about dealing with one of the most common fears in our society: the fear of public speaking, which is referred to as communication apprehension (CA).  By reading this chapter, you will learn about CA; not necessarily how it develops, as that can be different in every individual, but rather about how people can deal with it effectively. You will learn how therapies employed by psychologists to help people deal with phobias can be translated into effective techniques to deal with CA.

    Your coursework for this unit consists of the following:

    1. Read about the nature of public speaking anxiety and approaches to cope with it.

    2. Next, you will evaluate your personal level of public speaking anxiety.

    3. Then you will watch and reflect on a Ted Talk about the importance of embracing public speaking

    4. Next you will watch a second Ted Talk on coping with speech anxiety.

    5. Finally, you will assess your knowledge of the concepts discussed in this unit through a game-style review.

    Unit 8 Reading: Speaking with Confidence

    Decorative Image

    Effective public speaking is not simply about learning what to say, but about developing the confidence to say it. For many, it all comes down to overcoming those nerves and convincing yourself that you can actually get up there and speak! Each individual deals with CA most effectively through increased self-awareness and a willingness to work on reducing its impact. To conquer the nervousness associated with public speaking, one must identify the factors that lead to this anxiety, and then take specific steps to overcome this apprehension.

    Chapter Objectives- After studying this module, you should be able to:

    1. Understand the nature of communicative apprehension (CA), and be in a better position to deal with your particular “brand” of CA

    2. Analyze objectively the formation of your habitual frame of reference

    3. Apply cognitive restructuring (CR) techniques to create a more positive frame of reference

    4. Understand the importance of customized practice to become conversant in your topic

    5. Create a personal preparation routine to minimize your apprehension

    Click on the attached PDF to begin reading this chapter

    Unit 8 Assignment: Communication Apprehension Survey

    Objective:  After completing this survey you should know more about your level of communication apprehension based on a widely used scale.

    Step 1:  Download the PDF attachment linked below and complete the survey. Make sure to read the instructions carefully, and set aside enough time to complete the entire survey thoughtfully. The bottom portion of the attachment provides a description of how the survey is scored.

    Step 2: After completing the survey, submit your survey score and results. For example, you can write your score as follows:

    Apprehension Score  93 = Moderate Fear

    Step 3.  Watch the following video to get some insight on coping with and overcoming speech anxiety.

    Speaking to Death

    Step 4: Respond to the following questions:

    a. In your own words, explain what message the speaker is giving in the video?

    b. Think of a time when you felt anxious about making a presentation. Identify specific elements of the situation that caused your anxiety. What symptoms did you experience? If you could deliver the same presentation again, how could you reduce your anxiety? Use information from this week's readings to support your response.

     

    Unit 8 Video Reflection: No Freaking Speaking!

    We all experience nervousness when we speak.

    Learn 3 academically validated techniques for managing your speaking anxiety.

    No Freaking Speaking!

     

    Unit 8 Video Reflection: How Public Speaking Will Change Your Life

    Communication Consultant and Professor Bridget Sampson urges you to embrace public speaking in order to share your unique gifts with the world. Learn why it's so important to overcome this common fear and the paradigm shift it requires. As Bridget reveals her own transformative journey as a speaker and lessons from 25 years of experience as a teacher and trainer, you'll be inspired to push yourself out of your comfort zone to speak your mind.

    How Public Speaking Will Change Your Life