TRANSCRIPT
1. INTRODUCTION TO THE EPISODE
Host Brian: Hi everyone, and welcome back to English on the Go! I’m your host, Brian. In today's fast-paced world, effective communication is more important than ever. Learning English not only opens doors to new opportunities but also helps you connect with people from different backgrounds.
Host Brian: Whether you want to advance your career or make new friends, improving your English skills is a great investment in yourself. So, let's dive into our topic for today: overcoming the fear of public speaking.
Host Brian: Public speaking can be intimidating for many people, but it’s a skill that can be developed. Today, we will discuss practical strategies to help you manage and overcome your fear.
Host Brian: We’ll explore techniques to boost your confidence, the importance of practice, and how to connect with your audience. Ready to transform your public speaking skills? Let’s get started!
2. PRE-LISTENING QUESTIONS
Host Brian: Before we jump into the conversation, let’s take a moment to reflect on a few questions that will help you engage with the topic. Have you ever experienced nerves before giving a speech?
Host Brian: Think about a time when you had to present in front of others—how did it feel?
Host Brian: What aspects of public speaking do you find most challenging?
Host Brian: Also, consider what methods you might already use to calm your nerves before speaking.
Host Brian: Keep these questions in mind as we explore the world of public speaking together.
3. MAIN CONVERSATION
Sarah: Hey Alex! I’ve definitely felt nervous before speaking in front of an audience. It’s something that many people experience.
David: Absolutely! I think one of the biggest challenges is the fear of making mistakes. We often worry about what others will think of us.
Sarah: That’s true! But I believe that preparation can really help. When you practice your speech or presentation, it can significantly reduce anxiety.
David: I agree. Familiarity with your material makes a huge difference. It’s also helpful to visualize yourself speaking confidently in front of the audience.
Sarah: Visualization is a great technique! Imagining a positive outcome can help calm your nerves. Also, remember to breathe deeply before you start. Taking a few deep breaths can help reduce anxiety.
David: Yes! And engaging with the audience is important too. Making eye contact and smiling can create a connection and make you feel more at ease.
Sarah: Right! When you connect with your audience, it’s easier to focus on them instead of worrying about yourself. Plus, they’re usually supportive and want you to succeed.
David: Exactly! Another helpful tip is to start with a story or a personal experience. It grabs the audience's attention and makes you feel more comfortable.
Sarah: Great point! Stories can make your speech more relatable and enjoyable. And don’t forget, practice makes perfect. The more you practice, the more confident you’ll become.
David: That’s so true! Joining a group like Toastmasters can also provide valuable feedback and help you improve your public speaking skills.
Sarah: Yes! Surrounding yourself with supportive people can really boost your confidence. Remember, even experienced speakers still feel nervous sometimes. It’s all part of the process.
David: Absolutely! The key is to embrace those nerves and use them to energize your performance. Everyone has their own unique style, so find what works for you.
Sarah: That’s right! Public speaking is a skill that takes time to develop, but with practice and perseverance, you can definitely overcome your fears.
4. VOCABULARY ANALYSIS
Host Brian: Now that we’ve heard a great conversation, let’s discuss some key vocabulary related to our topic.
Host Brian: First up, Confidence. This means believing in your abilities. For example, “She spoke with confidence during her presentation.”
Host Brian: Next is Anxiety. This refers to feelings of worry or nervousness. You might say, “He felt anxiety before stepping onto the stage.”
Host Brian: Another important word is Engage. It means to connect with your audience. An example could be, “The speaker engaged the audience with humor.”
Host Brian: Now, let’s talk about Visualization. This is the practice of imagining a positive outcome. For instance, “Visualization can help reduce nerves before a speech.”
Host Brian: Finally, we have Feedback. This refers to comments or suggestions for improvement. You might hear, “Constructive feedback can help you grow as a speaker.”
Host Brian: "Now that we've reviewed some useful vocabulary, let's take a closer look at a few life-related idioms that came up during Sarah and David's conversation. These idioms not only help us express ourselves more naturally but also capture the emotional and practical sides of facing challenges like public speaking.
Host Brian: Whether it's 'calming your nerves' or 'grabbing the audience’s attention,' these phrases are often used when we talk about overcoming fears and building confidence. So, let's dive into these expressions and see how they can make your English sound more authentic and relatable!"
First, we have make a huge difference – meaning: to have a significant positive impact or effect.
Example: David says, "Familiarity with your material makes a huge difference," when discussing how being prepared can reduce anxiety.
Next, there’s calm your nerves – meaning: to reduce anxiety or fear, especially before a stressful situation.
Example: Sarah says, "Imagining a positive outcome can help calm your nerves," as she talks about using visualization before speaking.
Another useful idiom is grab the audience’s attention – meaning: to capture the interest of the listeners.
Example: David says, "Start with a story or a personal experience. It grabs the audience's attention," when suggesting ways to make speeches more engaging.
Then, we have practice makes perfect – meaning: consistent practice leads to improvement or mastery of a skill.
Example: Sarah says, "And don’t forget, practice makes perfect," as she encourages practicing to become more confident in public speaking.
Finally, there’s boost your confidence – meaning: to increase your self-assurance or belief in yourself.
Example: Sarah says, "Surrounding yourself with supportive people can really boost your confidence," referring to the importance of a positive environment for improving public speaking skills.
Host Brian: Let’s listen to the conversation again. This time, try to identify these words as you listen.
5. COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS
Host Brian: To help you better understand the conversation, here are some questions to consider:
Host Brian: What are some strategies Sarah and David suggest for overcoming fear?
Host Brian: How does engaging with the audience help?
Host Brian: Why is practice important in public speaking?
Host Brian: Reflect on these questions to deepen your understanding of the topic.
6. POST-LISTENING QUESTIONS
Host Brian: Now, let’s turn the focus to your personal experiences. Think about your own public speaking challenges. Host Brian: What techniques have you tried to overcome your fear?
Host Brian: How do you plan to practice your speaking skills in the future?
Host Brian: Consider these questions as you reflect on your journey toward becoming a more confident speaker.
7. CONCLUSION
Host Brian: That’s all for today’s episode! I hope our conversation has inspired you to tackle your fear of public speaking. Remember, every great speaker started where you are now—feeling nervous.
Host Brian: By practicing regularly and using the strategies we discussed, you can build your confidence and become an effective communicator.
Host Brian: If you’d like to dive deeper into today’s topic, we have a special free PDF available that includes helpful tips and vocabulary. Make sure to check it out!
Host Brian: Thanks for joining me today, and I look forward to seeing you next time on English on the Go!
8. VOCABULARY SUMMARY TABLE
| Word/Phrase | Part of Speech | Definition | Example Sentence | Synonyms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Confidence | Noun | Believing in your abilities | "She spoke with confidence during her presentation." | Self-assurance, Certainty, Poise, Boldness, Trust |
| Anxiety | Noun | Feelings of worry or nervousness | "He felt anxiety before stepping onto the stage." | Nervousness, Stress, Unease, Apprehension, Tension |
| Engage | Verb | To connect with your audience | "The speaker engaged the audience with humor." | Involve, Connect, Captivate, Interact, Hold attention |
| Visualization | Noun | The practice of imagining a positive outcome | "Visualization can help reduce nerves before a speech." | Mental imagery, Imagination, Mental rehearsal |
| Feedback | Noun | Comments or suggestions for improvement | "Constructive feedback can help you grow as a speaker." | Critique, Evaluation, Input, Response, Suggestions |
| Make a huge difference | Idiom | To have a significant positive impact or effect | "Familiarity with your material makes a huge difference." | Transform, Improve, Impact greatly, Change significantly |
| Calm your nerves | Idiom | To reduce anxiety or fear, especially before a stressful situation | "Imagining a positive outcome can help calm your nerves." | Relax, Ease tension, Soothe, Steady yourself |
| Grab the audience’s attention | Idiom | To capture the interest of the listeners | "Start with a story or a personal experience. It grabs the audience's attention." | Captivate, Attract, Draw attention, Engage, Fascinate |
| Practice makes perfect | Idiom | Consistent practice leads to improvement or mastery of a skill | "And don’t forget, practice makes perfect." | Practice leads to mastery, Improvement through repetition |
| Boost your confidence | Idiom | To increase your self-assurance or belief in yourself | "Surrounding yourself with supportive people can really boost your confidence." | Build self-esteem, Enhance self-belief, Raise assurance |
EXERCISE
EXERCISE 1: Fill in the Blanks
Instruction: Listen to the conversation and fill in the blanks with the appropriate words
Sarah: Hey Alex! I’ve definitely felt nervous before speaking in front of an (1) ______. It’s something that many people experience.
David: Absolutely! I think one of the biggest challenges is the (2) ______ of making mistakes. We often worry about what others will think of us.
Sarah: That’s true! But I believe that (3) ______can really help. When you practice your speech or presentation, it can significantly reduce anxiety.
David: I agree. Familiarity with your (4) ______makes a huge difference. It’s also helpful to visualize yourself speaking confidently in front of the audience.
Sarah: Visualization is a great (5) ______! Imagining a positive outcome can help calm your nerves. Also, remember to breathe (6) ______ before you start. Taking a few deep breaths can help reduce anxiety.
David: Yes! And (7) ______with the audience is important too. Making eye contact and smiling can create a connection and make you feel more at ease.
Sarah: Right! When you connect with your audience, it’s easier to focus on them instead of worrying about (8) ______. Plus, they’re usually supportive and want you to succeed.
David: Exactly! Another helpful tip is to start with a (9) ______ or a personal experience. It grabs the audience's attention and makes you feel more comfortable.
Sarah: Great point! Stories can make your speech more relatable and (10) ______. And don’t forget, practice makes perfect. The more you practice, the more (11) ______ you’ll become.
David: That’s so true! Joining a group like Toastmasters can also provide valuable (12) ______and help you improve your public speaking skills.
Sarah: Yes! Surrounding yourself with (13) ______people can really boost your confidence. Remember, even experienced speakers still feel (14) ______sometimes. It’s all part of the process.
David: Absolutely! The key is to embrace those nerves and use them to (15) ______your performance. Everyone has their own unique style, so find what works for you.
Sarah: That’s right! Public speaking is a (16) ______ that takes time to develop, but with practice and perseverance, you can definitely overcome your fears.
________________________________________
EXERCISE 2: True, False, Not Given
Instruction: Read each statement carefully and mark it as True, False, or Not Given based on the conversation.
1. Sarah has never felt nervous before public speaking.
2. David thinks starting with a story can grab the audience's attention.
3. Toastmasters is mentioned as a way to overcome anxiety.
4. Sarah suggests avoiding eye contact when nervous.
5. David believes everyone has the same public speaking style.
________________________________________
EXERCISE 3: Multiple Choice Questions
Instruction: Choose the correct answer for each question based on the conversation.
1. What does Sarah suggest helps reduce anxiety before speaking?
a) Avoiding practice
b) Deep breathing
c) Ignoring the audience
2. What is David's opinion about nerves?
a) They should be avoided at all costs.
b) They can energize a performance.
c) They are a sign of weakness.
3. What does Sarah say about supportive people?
a) They can boost your confidence.
b) They often criticize public speakers.
c) They make speakers feel more nervous.
________________________________________
EXERCISE 4: Matching Information
Instruction: Match the phrases to the correct speaker (Sarah or David).
Phrase Speaker
Visualization is a great technique.
Starting with a story is helpful.
Join a group like Toastmasters.
Focus on connecting with the audience.
Practice makes perfect.
________________________________________
EXERCISE 5: Sentence Rearrangement
Instruction: Rearrange the jumbled sentences to form coherent statements related to the conversation.
1. confidence / the / will / practice / build / you / more.
2. relax / helps / deep / breathing / anxiety / before / reduce / it.
3. make / connecting / you / the / feel / audience / comfortable.
4. visualization / your / technique / confidence / helps / gain.
5. make / mistakes / many / fear / a / people / speaking / fear.
6. public / with / you / the / practice / will / improve / help.
7. start / story / the / grab / audience’s / with / attention / a.
8. is / skills / practice / public / essential / key / speaking.
9. nerves / use / will / energize / you / the / to / performance.
10. speaking / confidence / helps / to / you / practice / gain
________________________________________
EXERCISE 6: Choose the Correct Word
Instruction: Fill in the blanks with the correct word from the options provided.
1. Visualization can help __________ your nerves.
a) Calm
b) Excite
2. Making eye contact helps __________ with the audience.
a) Connect
b) Distract
3. Practice makes __________.
a) Perfect
b) Problems
________________________________________
EXERCISE 7: Sentence Reordering
Instruction: Arrange the sentences below to recreate a summary of the conversation.
a) Visualization and deep breathing are useful techniques.
b) Connecting with the audience helps reduce anxiety.
c) Starting with a story can make a speech relatable.
d) Practice and joining groups like Toastmasters can improve confidence.
________________________________________
EXERCISE 8: Paraphrasing Practice
Instruction: Rewrite the following statements in your own words.
1. "Taking deep breaths can help reduce anxiety."
2. "Stories can make your speech more relatable and enjoyable."
3. "Everyone has their own unique style, so find what works for you."
________________________________________
EXERCISE 9: Opinion Writing
Instruction: Write a short paragraph (3-5 sentences) on whether you believe public speaking is a skill anyone can develop. Use ideas from the conversation to support your opinion.
________________________________________
Exercise 11: Word Match
Instructions: Match each term from the conversation with its correct definition
| Word/Phrase | Definition |
|---|---|
| Confidence | e. Believing in your abilities |
| Anxiety | d. Feelings of worry or nervousness |
| Engage | j. To connect with your audience |
| Visualization | h. The practice of imagining a positive outcome |
| Feedback | a. Comments or suggestions for improvement |
| Make a huge difference | c. To have a significant positive impact or effect |
| Calm your nerves | i. To reduce anxiety or fear, especially before a stressful situation |
| Grab the audience’s attention | g. To capture the interest of the listeners |
| Practice makes perfect | f. Consistent practice leads to improvement or mastery of a skill |
| Boost your confidence | b. To increase your self-assurance or belief in yourself |
ANSWER KEY
Exercise 1
1. audience
2. fear
3. preparation
4. material
5. technique
6. deeply
7. engaging
8. yourself
9. story
10. enjoyable
11. confident
12. feedback
13. supportive
14. nervous
15. energize
16. skill
Exercise 2: True, False, Not Given
1. False
2. True
3. True
4. False
5. False
Exercise 3: Multiple Choice Questions
1. b) Deep breathing
2. b) They can energize a performance.
3. a) They can boost your confidence.
Exercise 4: Matching Information
| Phrase | Speaker |
|---|---|
| Visualization is a great technique. | Speaker A |
| Starting with a story is helpful. | Speaker B |
| Join a group like Toastmasters. | Speaker C |
| Focus on connecting with the audience. | Speaker D |
| Practice makes perfect. | Speaker E |
Exercise 5: Sentence Rearrangement
1. Practice will build your confidence more.
2. Deep breathing helps reduce anxiety before it.
3. Connecting with the audience will make you feel more comfortable.
4. Visualization is a technique that helps you gain confidence.
5. Fear of making mistakes is a big fear many people have when speaking.
6. Practice with public speaking will help you improve.
7. Start with a story to grab the audience’s attention.
8. Practice is the key to improving public speaking skills.
9. You will use nerves to energize your performance.
10. Practice speaking helps you gain confidence.
Exercise 6: Choose the Correct Word
1. a) Calm
2. a) Connect
3. a) Perfect
Exercise 7: Sentence Reordering
Correct Order:
a) Visualization and deep breathing are useful techniques.
b) Connecting with the audience helps reduce anxiety.
c) Starting with a story can make a speech relatable.
d) Practice and joining groups like Toastmasters can improve confidence.
Exercise 8: Paraphrasing Practice
1. Taking slow, deep breaths can help you feel less anxious.
2. Sharing personal stories makes your speech easier for the audience to connect with and enjoy.
3. Everyone has their own unique approach to public speaking, so it's important to find what suits you best.
Exercise 9: Opinion Writing
(Sample Answer)
I believe public speaking is a skill anyone can develop with practice and perseverance. Techniques like deep breathing and visualization help reduce anxiety, and connecting with the audience makes the experience enjoyable. Joining groups like Toastmasters provides valuable feedback and boosts confidence.
Exercise 10: Word Match
1. Confidence – e. Believing in your abilities
2. Anxiety – d. Feelings of worry or nervousness
3. Engage – j. To connect with your audience
4. Visualization – h. The practice of imagining a positive outcome
5. Feedback – a. Comments or suggestions for improvement
6. Make a huge difference – c. To have a significant positive impact or effect
7. Calm your nerves – i. To reduce anxiety or fear, especially before a stressful situation
8. Grab the audience’s attention – g. To capture the interest of the listeners
9. Practice makes perfect – f. Consistent practice leads to improvement or mastery of a skill
10. Boost your confidence – b. To increase your self-assurance or belief in yourself
