It’s the beginning of your freshman year, your foot is tapping vigorously against the floor, the butterflies in your stomach are multiplying by the second, and your teacher calls out your name. You are up next to give an impromptu speech about a topic you’ve never heard of before, and in front of a crowd of intimidating upperclassmen you’ve never talked to. You are visibly out of your comfort zone, but what you don’t realize at the moment is that discomfort is the best place for growth.
Speaking in front of peers is a nerve-wracking idea for many high school students, but arguably one of the best skills a student can develop. The high school public speaking and writing course is designed to prepare students for the growing expectations of the outside world, making it more crucial than ever for it to be a required course at Morris Knolls High School.
Many students struggle with glossophobia, or the fear of public speaking. A study done by the National Institute of Mental Health elaborates on glossophobia, explaining how over 40% of the population shares this common fear. However, researchers within the same study have proved that overcoming the fear of public speaking is not a difficult task, it simply comes with consistent practice.
Everyone has heard the term, at least once in their life, “Practice makes perfect.” For many, publicly speaking may not come naturally, but that is all the more reason to hone this skill diligently. With rigorous practice comes the key to success in public speaking: confidence. “Confidence, by far, is the number one thing that improves over the course of the year, and quickly because students are in front of the room so often in class. Speech content is the English skill, the delivery is more of rehearsal and practice,” shared Mrs. Barchetto, a public speaking teacher here at Knolls. Additionally, beyond high school, having public speaking skills is vital to prepare students who enroll in college. Barchetto explains, “A lot of universities are going to require you to publicly speak, whether it’s the actual class you are taking or if you are just speaking in a lecture hall. [Students] should definitely take it before college.”
Just one semester in, students are already seeing drastic improvements. When asked about her progress throughout the school year, sophomore Allison Seltzer explains, “I’ve developed new skills that I can use to help me be more confident and less nervous, skills to help me become successful when giving a speech or a presentation.” Seltzer not only recognizes her personal growth, she appreciates the role this course will play in her future. “I want to be a doctor, and this will definitely help me when it comes to presentations, doing projects and interviews, and talking to different people.”
Public speaking teacher Mrs. Pepperman explains an additional benefit of taking the class, sharing that “A lot of [her students] have gotten more comfortable with each other. They open up more, they are more expressive. It’s like one happy family.” Personally, I’ve reaped the benefits of developing useful skills through this course while simultaneously becoming a part of something bigger than myself. The connections I built through this course reflected the welcoming environment public speaking has to offer. By the end of my freshman year, intimidating seniors turned to friends, I looked forward to impromptu speeches, and the podium in the front of the classroom didn’t feel terrifying anymore.
Should Public Speaking be a Required Course at Morris Knolls?
Sorry, there was an error loading this poll.
