Literacy 

Oral Presentation Skills

Fear of public speaking is a common form of anxiety. According to the Mayo Clinic, the anxiety can “range from feeling a little nervous to extreme fear and panic” and the National Institute of Health suggests that it affects approximately 75% of the general population to some degree.

Warrandyte High Students are not immune to this anxiety. Many young people feel understandably nervous when presenting in front of their friends and peers, particularly if there is assessment attached to the oral presentation. However, in today’s workforce, being able to communicate and collaborate with their colleagues and business partners is an essential life and career skill.

Public speaking and communication skills are frequently cited by employers as some of the top skills linked to career advancement, leadership, teamwork, and professional credibility. Some studies even suggest that strong verbal communication skills can significantly increase earning potential.

Importantly, developing oral communication skills benefits students in ways that extend beyond speaking itself. One study, published in the ‘Journal of English Language and Education’ found that preparing presentations also strengthened students’ organisational and planning skills and helped students participate in class discussions, group projects and everyday conversations with more confidence. It also helps students develop resilience, as they learn how to manage nerves and communicate under pressure.

Oral presentations are a key component of the English curriculum in every year level at Warrandyte High School, and presentations are prevalent in many other subjects as well. This provides our students with the opportunities to develop their speaking and listening skills through discussions, presentations and classroom activities.

So what can you do to help your young person at home?

• Encourage your teenager to read widely on their topic – the more knowledge students have, the more confident they often feel while speaking about it.
• Give them opportunities to practise their oral presentation skills at home, either in front of a mirror or recording themselves so they can identify areas for improvement.
• Encourage them to present in front of a family member or friend, so they can gradually build confidence.
• Remind them to time themselves to so they can stay in the required time limit.
• If your young person is using visuals, encourage them to practise with their visuals so their presentation feels smooth and familiar.
• Help them replicate the speaking environment by standing up, using cue cards and practising hand gestures.
• Encourage slow, deep breaths before presenting to reduce their anxiety and help manage nerves.
• Provide positive feedback, before suggesting improvements so confidence continues to grow.
• Most importantly: practice, practice, practice!

The most important thing to remember is that confidence develops gradually, and even small opportunities to practise speaking can make a significant difference over time.