My journey in public speaking started when I was about 6 years old. I had joined the Speech
and Drama club at my school. Public speaking back then was about learning to pronounce
the words correctly, standing straight while speaking and speaking clearly and correctly! I
still remember sitting in small classrooms, reciting poems or small paragraphs that were
given to us. We would learn them and then come up to the front of the class and say the
poem in front of everyone. Whenever we pronounced something wrong or fidgeted with
our clothes, our teacher would say that she would not let us go back home till we got it
right! After a couple of years, when I was in 3rd or 4th grade, I started taking Public Speaking
LAMDA examinations (London Academy of Music & Dramatic Arts). I still remember that
for every exam we used to have a British invigilator. He/ she would listen to us and ask us
questions in their British accent. At first it was confusing but then I enjoyed preparing for it.
A few years later, when I was about 10 years old, I had my first experience of actual public
speaking in front of an audience. Our school was hosting a speech contest and I had to
deliver a speech on ‘Books and their importance’ in an auditorium full of people – there
were teachers, fellow participants and even their parents. It was a full house. I was super
nervous and could actually feel my body shaking as I walked up to the stage and began my
speech. I had practiced it for over a month so that I could deliver it well. I did give my speech
pretty calmly and confidently. My parents were smiling ear to ear as I spoke. When my
speech was over, I was so so so relieved that it was finally done! Even though I did my best,
got great feedback, I didn’t win the contest. I remember crying about it when I reached
home, my parents comforting me and my sister just standing there awkwardly in front of us.
But, after that day, I definitely gained more confidence speaking in front of people and also
learnt that winning or losing didn’t matter, what mattered was if I did my best.
After a few years I heard of a contest being held and my mother said I should take part in it.
I was pretty hesitant and wasn’t sure about it. It took my parents weeks to convince me to
take part in Leo’s Lil’ Speech Masters. And it was only after a lot of pushing and convincing
that I agreed. I was really scared as I had to speak in front of a completely unknown
audience. I did well and made it to the top ten participants. After that, I gained much more
interest in public speaking and wanted to improve my public speaking skills.
And guess what, the same year, I heard about a Gavel Club being planned nearby. I had
been to a couple of toastmasters meetings with my mother and I had a good time there so I
thought this would be a good experience. I still remember the demo meeting of GCOA with
many Toastmasters, children and their parents. There were some great speeches and I
clearly remember when they were looking for volunteers from the crowd for table topics. I
was so scared that I would be picked, I actually bent down so that the Table Topics master
wouldn’t see me However, I loved how the meeting was conducted and decided to join
the club. I regularly participated in all the meetings and made consistent efforts to improve.
Two years down the line, having seen and interacted with some amazing Toastmasters and
Gaveliers, I realize that there is so much new to learn. While I have improved my speaking
skills, I have also learnt many other skills like planning, time management, listening, team
work, ownership, creativity and much more. I learnt tools like Canva and Wix.
Public speaking is a life long journey of self-improvement and this is how my wonderful
journey of becoming a better communicator continues……
Comentários