Fear Public Speaking

Do I fear public speaking so much that I might pass out? No, but I do, as many others, feel some anxiety about speaking in front of a listening audience. I supposed, my level of fear when speaking might be in the average. I have noticed in the past, before I get out in front of everyone, I feel this nervousness that I did not before walking out. If I kickoff the presentation without being adequately prepared, I would find it hard to overcome that anxiousness. If I were prepared perfectly for the speech, then that nervousness would quickly shift into excitement. My history of public speaking commenced back when I was younger, while I was living in Ecuador as a missionary. Once there my family and I opened a ministry for child laborers. After I learned Spanish, I started doing presentations for the kids. I would plan a service for the children and then present it in Spanish. I have even translated in front of large groups of kids for the English speakers that would visit and could not speak to them. Once, I was presenting in front of an extensive number of kids, and as soon as I started talking, for some reason got very nervous. I started stuttering and forgetting my Spanish. The kids were just looking at me, waiting for me to get

into it together, and it took me a hot minute to get my mind from being so jumbled. I eventually moved on and continued with the service. After, I felt a bit embarrassed, but I knew that even though I had a rough start I finished successfully.
Eventually, I returned to the States to begin my college.

I am currently studying to become an elementary school teacher. I know that this class will benefit me with my career choice. At times, I start to consider about how nervous I might get being in front of the children all day, speaking to them and teaching them. I know that as a teacher, I need to be patient and controlled. I would like to learn to clearly show that in my speaking. An example of someone I aspire to be, is a professor from my old school in Tennessee. He was a very engaging speaker. When in his class, his students found his humor and effectiveness as a teacher very captivating. The professor had an ideal way of being informative without overcomplicating his

lecture.
My biggest fear of speaking in public, would have to be the major embarrassment of making a fool of myself. When I am watching a movie or tv and a character does something that is utterly humiliating, I cringe and feel this anxiety about experiencing this same distress. I believe that what will aid me most to not feel so afraid before a speech would to prepare and use deep breathing. In the past this has comforted me. I would prepare, to know exactly what I am going to stay, have a helpful guideline, and to use tools to help my audience understand and stay engaged. Using deep breathing, I expect it would be very helpful for me to stay focused. When I used this now, I close my eyes, breathe in slowly through my nose and out through my mouth. This action just calms me and allows me to take control of my anxiety of public speaking.