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Study Skills
How can I speak up in lessons?
Study Skills
How can I speak up in lessons?
Study Skills
How can I speak up in lessons?
Summary
It is often required to participate in discussions in education. This can cause anxiety, especially if you feel shy, struggle with confidence, or are nervous about the subject.
This article outlines the following strategies to help you with speaking up during lessons:
Prepare your contributions
Focus on content, not delivery
Talk to your teacher or tutor
Build your confidence
Summary
It is often required to participate in discussions in education. This can cause anxiety, especially if you feel shy, struggle with confidence, or are nervous about the subject.
This article outlines the following strategies to help you with speaking up during lessons:
Prepare your contributions
Focus on content, not delivery
Talk to your teacher or tutor
Build your confidence
Read this article
2m
Get prepared
Is there some reading you can do to prepare before a class or seminar, or can you review some notes or handouts? Maybe there’s a YouTube video you can watch?
The key is to get familiar with the topic and some of the main discussion points - you will then feel more confident that you can contribute if needed.
Content not delivery
You don't need to be a great speaker in discussions; you only need to get your point across. Your teacher or tutor wants to see you demonstrate your understanding or opinion, and your contribution can help ideas, theories and discussions to develop. Even if you give a wrong answer, the teacher or tutor can take the time to explain why it is wrong, for your understanding and your classmates. Have confidence that your contribution matters.
Talk to your teacher or tutor
At some points, the thought of having to contribute to a class may become so overwhelming that it can start to impact on other work, or lead to difficulties attending sessions. This is detrimental to your learning and so it may be worth talking to your teacher, tutor, or another member of staff in your school, college, or university so that adjustments can be made. You could start by asking if you can not be singled out when a question is asked.
Build your confidence
Over a couple of classes, jot some notes down about the sorts of questions or points you’d make, or answers to some of the questions you’d give. Make a note if your answers are right or if anyone else makes a point similar to yours.
When you feel ready, set yourself the task of answering one question or making one point. Build it up to two. Be mindful how you feel when you contribute and of the consequences - did anyone laugh, were you made to feel stupid, did you say something wrong? No, you didn’t, and your voice should be heard.
Read this article
2m
Get prepared
Is there some reading you can do to prepare before a class or seminar, or can you review some notes or handouts? Maybe there’s a YouTube video you can watch?
The key is to get familiar with the topic and some of the main discussion points - you will then feel more confident that you can contribute if needed.
Content not delivery
You don't need to be a great speaker in discussions; you only need to get your point across. Your teacher or tutor wants to see you demonstrate your understanding or opinion, and your contribution can help ideas, theories and discussions to develop. Even if you give a wrong answer, the teacher or tutor can take the time to explain why it is wrong, for your understanding and your classmates. Have confidence that your contribution matters.
Talk to your teacher or tutor
At some points, the thought of having to contribute to a class may become so overwhelming that it can start to impact on other work, or lead to difficulties attending sessions. This is detrimental to your learning and so it may be worth talking to your teacher, tutor, or another member of staff in your school, college, or university so that adjustments can be made. You could start by asking if you can not be singled out when a question is asked.
Build your confidence
Over a couple of classes, jot some notes down about the sorts of questions or points you’d make, or answers to some of the questions you’d give. Make a note if your answers are right or if anyone else makes a point similar to yours.
When you feel ready, set yourself the task of answering one question or making one point. Build it up to two. Be mindful how you feel when you contribute and of the consequences - did anyone laugh, were you made to feel stupid, did you say something wrong? No, you didn’t, and your voice should be heard.
Written by Tim Jones
Written by Tim Jones
0:00/1:34
Summary
It is often required to participate in discussions in education. This can cause anxiety, especially if you feel shy, struggle with confidence, or are nervous about the subject.
This article outlines the following strategies to help you with speaking up during lessons:
Prepare your contributions
Focus on content, not delivery
Talk to your teacher or tutor
Build your confidence
Read this article
It is often required to participate in discussions in education. This can cause anxiety, especially if you feel shy, struggle with confidence, or are nervous about the subject.
This article outlines the following strategies to help you with speaking up during lessons:
Prepare your contributions
Focus on content, not delivery
Talk to your teacher or tutor
Build your confidence
Get prepared
Is there some reading you can do to prepare before a class or seminar, or can you review some notes or handouts? Maybe there’s a YouTube video you can watch?
The key is to get familiar with the topic and some of the main discussion points - you will then feel more confident that you can contribute if needed.
Content not delivery
You don't need to be a great speaker in discussions; you only need to get your point across. Your teacher or tutor wants to see you demonstrate your understanding or opinion, and your contribution can help ideas, theories and discussions to develop. Even if you give a wrong answer, the teacher or tutor can take the time to explain why it is wrong, for your understanding and your classmates. Have confidence that your contribution matters.
Talk to your teacher or tutor
At some points, the thought of having to contribute to a class may become so overwhelming that it can start to impact on other work, or lead to difficulties attending sessions. This is detrimental to your learning and so it may be worth talking to your teacher, tutor, or another member of staff in your school, college, or university so that adjustments can be made. You could start by asking if you can not be singled out when a question is asked.
Build your confidence
Over a couple of classes, jot some notes down about the sorts of questions or points you’d make, or answers to some of the questions you’d give. Make a note if your answers are right or if anyone else makes a point similar to yours.
When you feel ready, set yourself the task of answering one question or making one point. Build it up to two. Be mindful how you feel when you contribute and of the consequences - did anyone laugh, were you made to feel stupid, did you say something wrong? No, you didn’t, and your voice should be heard.
Written by Tim Jones
Prior to co-founding Booost Education, Tim previously worked with neurodivergent and disabled students at various universities and trained as an assistive technology consultant with AbilityNet.
Written by Tim Jones
Prior to co-founding Booost Education, Tim previously worked with neurodivergent and disabled students at various universities and trained as an assistive technology consultant with AbilityNet.