Teaching and Public speaking – Major differences
I was conscious about myself when I was addressing a gathering. But when I was teaching I was worried about making the kids learn what I had to tell them. The concentration was more on the message and less on me. This realization helped me overcome nervousness completely.
We are tensed because we bother about ourselves and worry about making a fool of our self. Once you can get that self-consciousness out of yourself and think about the message and your listeners you will feel confident. This is precisely what teachers achieve, they are aware that they need to spread the knowledge and if their pupils don’t learn from them they will never get it. Teachers are there to help kids not to gain a public image. Hence the tension is gone.
Trainers follow a pattern, referring to notes to reiterate points, follow a logical sequence to put their points across. They seek feedback and respond to queries from their students. So to be an effective public speaker you have to don the role of a teacher and concentrate on the content rather than self. Talk to them rather than preach to them.
Remember that your listeners want to learn from you and they have come for that. They don’t expect a hilarious skit or a show; they are there for the message which only you can give.
One more unique thing about listeners is they mostly are very liberal. They don’t mind small slip ups from your side. They don’t care if you miss a word or sentence here and there. They are supporting you and want you to be successful. So ensure that every talk of yours will educate the audience. This will surely relax your tensed nerves and help you become a successful public speaker.
