Alexis Irazoque, M.S., CCC-SLP
Many middle and high school students feel nervous when they have to present in class. Public speaking is a common fear—you're not alone. But with the right tools, mindset, and a few practical tips, you can overcome this fear and give your presentation with confidence.
7 ways to improve your classroom presentation skills
To succeed in high school, you need strong communication skills. You have to be able to communicate clearly during team projects and speak up about your opinions and needs. You also need to develop public speaking skills for giving presentations and reports.
Improving these skills can make school easier, more successful, and more enjoyable, too. But what if you have a fear of presenting in class? Below are some school presentation tips you can start using today.
1 Practice makes progress
First, remember that skills take time to develop. Give yourself lots of chances to practice. You might give a presentation to your parents about why you deserve a raise in your allowance. Or you could explain your favorite hobby, show, or video game to a friend.
If you're nervous about a report or presentation you have to give, make sure to practice it at home. Present your report to family members or even just to yourself in the mirror.
2 Practice abdominal breathing
Abdominal breathing is also called belly breathing. It helps ensure you have enough air to speak clearly and confidently.
Breathing from your abdomen, which is right below your ribcage, improves how your speech sounds and how your voice projects. If you feel scared when you have to do a presentation, it also slows your heart rate and helps you relax.
To do belly breathing, take a full, deep breath before beginning to speak. Use your abdomen to breathe, rather than your chest. Breathing only with your chest leads to shallow breathing, so you might not get enough air for clear, confident speech.
3 Add pauses
When you’re talking, pause between ideas. Adding pauses allows you to think about what to say next. It also gives your audience time to process your words.
You shouldn’t wait until you run out of breath to pause and take another breath. Remember, you’re trying to communicate a message, not just get all the words out.
Let’s look at this sentence, for example: “When you hear my knock, open the door.” Most people can say this in one breath without pausing. However, pausing between “When you hear my knock” and “open the door” makes it easier for the listener to process each part.
4 Pace yourself
Some people talk too fast when they’re nervous. Speaking at the right pace makes your speech clearer and helps you sound confident. Try not to speak too quickly or too slowly:
Aim to speak between 120 and 150 words per minute for most situations.
If you’re presenting to a large audience, slow down to about 100-120 words per minute.
If you’re talking about complicated information, aim for closer to 100 words per minute.
For practice, you can time yourself to see how long it takes you to read 120-150 words.
5 Use notes as you speak
Jot down key points on paper to ensure you cover all your main ideas and stay on track during your speech. Having a list of key points in front of you helps you remember everything important. That makes you feel more self-assured as you present.
6 Use eye contact and body language
Make eye contact with people in your audience. Use gestures and move around a bit to keep your audience interested. This will make your presentation more dynamic and engaging.
7 Try positive visualization
This technique can lower your anxiety about speaking and boost your confidence. To do it, simply imagine yourself giving a successful presentation. Picture a positive outcome. When you picture yourself succeeding before your presentation, you'll feel more prepared and self-assured.
How speech therapy can help with fear of of speaking
Middle school and high school isn’t always easy. It takes practice to build confidence and communication skills. If you're struggling with talking in front of the class, know that help is available.
At Expressable, we believe communication is more than just words. It's about expressing what you believe, sharing your feelings, and showing who you are. You don't need to have a speech problem to benefit from working with a speech therapist. Many people simply need help managing their nerves and improving their speaking skills.
Communication is about expressing what you believe, sharing your feelings, and showing who you are.
Speech therapy can help improve social skills, professional speaking, and overall confidence. A speech-language pathologist (SLP), also known as a speech therapist, will create a plan based on your needs and goals. Your therapy sessions will include interactive lessons with fun, relevant activities. You'll learn to navigate new situations, advocate for yourself, make friends, lead projects, and believe in your abilities.
Speech therapists work with teens on various strategies to build confidence when speaking. This might include setting goals like "thinking of what to say," "speaking without stuttering," or simply "feeling confident when I speak." Working with a licensed speech therapist can help you feel less nervous about speaking.
Confronting fears isn’t easy, but a speech therapist can help you gradually reduce your anxiety and improve your communication skills. Your voice matters, and what you have to say is important. If you want to overcome a fear of public speaking, consider talking with a speech therapist. You and your parent or guardian can schedule a free consult call and speak to one of our speech therapists anytime!
