Public speaking in school at any grade was a terrorizing
experience for most people. Yes,
the dreaded oral report.
Glossophobia is the fear of speaking in public.
Sadly, grade school is where most people solidify their fear
of speaking in public. Glossophobia is
essentially the fear of social rejection while speaking in public. What could be more threatening and
traumatizing than being potentially socially rejected and mocked by your school
peer group?
To exacerbate matters, you have one of the most important
authority figures in your life, your teacher, judging and grading your
performance.
In my personal situation,
my public speaking experiences in grade school were not supportive exercises. My
experiences did not build my self esteem or self confidence. They had the exact opposite effect of making me more fearful of speaking in public.
It is amazing to me that schools do not activity encourage
students to develop public speaking skills. Perhaps so many educators
themselves do not have strong public speaking skills themselves.
- Posted by Andy Paultanis
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