Speech Classes

LegacyUser

Does anyone know if theres any good elocution/speech teachers in dublin? I was looking for some on google but couldn't find any. I'm due to give a few speechs in a month or two and I'm worried about them. It's not that I have a physical problem I just want to speak with more clarity etc.

Delphi91

Why not pop along to your local ToastMasters club? Have a look for clubs in the Dublin area here.

Mike

LegacyUser

I've heard of them before but they're not quite what I'm looking for. I'd rather have one on one for the time being anyway since I have specific concerns. Thanks for the advice though.

mycroft

The fact that he made women orgasm mid speech or drove a society to World War, let only Genocide shows what a powerfull and gifted orator the man was.

Um and if he's giving a eulogy or technical lecture? Let the topic didicate the tone, don't assume "Ein Reich, Eine Wolk, Eine Something" tone is suitable for all occasions........

grumpytrousers

The only way to get 'good' at 'speaking' is practise. You can get pointers from people, but ultimately, your ability will grow with confidence. However, if you don't get a chance to have formal classes or whatever, consider this lot!

a) speak slowly. Speak so slow that you actually think you're taking the piss. You're not, and the audience *will* respond to it. You will sound confident. People who talk fast, sound 'flustered' and thus not confident.

b) become familiar with your material. Don't necessarily learn it off by heart, but put yourself in a position that a cursory look at your index cards will be enough to give you another x minutes/seconds (depending) of material. On the other hand, depending on your audience, don't be too polished. You might want, depending, the odd bit of 'constructive stammering' - if you feel that you can get a bit more 'oomph' by playing the sympathy card, deliberately show nerves at the start. You'll have 'em onside. After a minute and a half, let rip! Bear in mind - nobody likes a spiv!

c) practise like the bejaysus. Get a dictaphone and tape yourself. Talk in front of a mirror. Aye - you'll feel like a right c***, but 'tis only yourself who'll know. As opposed to feeling like a right gob****e in front of an audience that you'd like to take you seriously. This will help your confidence and get you used to the sound of your own voice. And yes, you DO sound like that....

d) style thing this - if you can manage it, try and incorporate a few of them aul (cicero i think) tricks of using 3's. As humans, we respond well to the number 3. If you're iterating points, make sure you've three of them. If you're comparing things, compare three things. if you're rehashing the same aul stuff, rehash three of them.

best of luck otherwise

LegacyUser

grumpytrousers wrote:

The only way to get 'good' at 'speaking' is practise. You can get pointers from people, but ultimately, your ability will grow with confidence. However, if you don't get a chance to have formal classes or whatever, consider this lot!

a) speak slowly. Speak so slow that you actually think you're taking the piss. You're not, and the audience *will* respond to it. You will sound confident. People who talk fast, sound 'flustered' and thus not confident.

b) become familiar with your material. Don't necessarily learn it off by heart, but put yourself in a position that a cursory look at your index cards will be enough to give you another x minutes/seconds (depending) of material. On the other hand, depending on your audience, don't be too polished. You might want, depending, the odd bit of 'constructive stammering' - if you feel that you can get a bit more 'oomph' by playing the sympathy card, deliberately show nerves at the start. You'll have 'em onside. After a minute and a half, let rip! Bear in mind - nobody likes a spiv!

c) practise like the bejaysus. Get a dictaphone and tape yourself. Talk in front of a mirror. Aye - you'll feel like a right c***, but 'tis only yourself who'll know. As opposed to feeling like a right gob****e in front of an audience that you'd like to take you seriously. This will help your confidence and get you used to the sound of your own voice. And yes, you DO sound like that....

d) style thing this - if you can manage it, try and incorporate a few of them aul (cicero i think) tricks of using 3's. As humans, we respond well to the number 3. If you're iterating points, make sure you've three of them. If you're comparing things, compare three things. if you're rehashing the same aul stuff, rehash three of them.

best of luck otherwise

Thanks for that advice. I have tried most of those things before though and it didn't make that big a difference. I had a friend in America who went to a tutor like the one I'm looking for here and it changed his life. Before he could barely string two sentences together but these days hes full of confidence. Yes it took a long time but I don't mind being in for the long haul. I guess I feel that talking in front of the mirror isn't quite the same as getting professional advice but I still haven't found any places here and I can't exactly move to Seattle to go to the same person he did. Even beyond these upcoming speechs I want to be better long term and maybe just get even a fraction of the boost my friend did. There must be someone somewhere within Dublin. I hope.