Oral Reports

[Sup2u]

Yo i gotta do an oral report in school like in a month. I have to read a biography and give a report on the subject. I chose Jerry Seinfeld,famous comedian. I'm pretty prepared but a lil nervous about the monologues. I try to lead in or paraphrase. WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN GIVING ORAL REPORTS?

[Professor]

oh my i try to just read the thing but didnt do one in a long time only with a group. But i had to recite a 8 stanza poem to the class today didnt go to skool lol. Im not gonan do it i dont care i dont want to pressure myself about it its worth so called 20 points and i hope the teacher understands why i wont do it. Just try to like explain it or read it or something

[Sup2u]

ima use the passive airflow techinque if i senese a block

[Sam]

Just dont do it, it takes away all the presure and stress. Forcing your self into doing these things is deffinitly NOT the way to curing a stuttering problem. And im sure it wont affect your grades if you dont do this, as long as they know what the problem is.

[Professor]

yeah and i kinda realized that on this forum im not gonna do it cause i dont wanna have that feeling my heart beats really hard i get nervous like a biullion things go through my mind its like the worst feeling ever prolly worst then dying.

[Sup2u]

The fact that i stutter makes me want to talk almost. Like i wanna be able to show my stutter i can be fluent. Its odd.

[llw03c]

Yo i gotta do an oral report in school like in a month. I have to read a biography and give a report on the subject. I chose Jerry Seinfeld,famous comedian. I'm pretty prepared but a lil nervous about the monologues. I try to lead in or paraphrase. WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN GIVING ORAL REPORTS?
try to be nervous..this might sound ridiculous but when i defended my thesis and even before that when i made presentations in meetings in grad school, i was fluent mostly when i was nervous. when i was able to get comfortable, i began to hit blocks then fell apart and had to employ some of my famous techniques.

[Professor]

omg i got another poem reciting to do gota remmeber a long as poem and recite it in front of the class i hate these type of $h!ts pisses me off all i kno is im not gonna do it if i would id worry about it 24/7 and it would only make my life more stressful

[Sup2u]

Ye. w03c is kinda right. I stutter sometimes more when i'm relaxed than when i'm nervous. Maybe nervousness is good who knows! If i'm not prepared i stutter but doesn't everyone? So i gotta be prepared and nervous. lol.

[Asif]

What kind of wankers avoid difficult things their whole lives and run and hide every time a difficulty arises?
This is pitiful, pathetic reasoning.
In fact it is no reasoning at all.
It is typically "american" behaviour. If something isn't "convenient" or "comfortable" just pretend it does not exist.
Excuse my forthrightness, but anyone who thinks and behaves like this is not worthy of any kind of respect.
You have a problem: so DEAL with it. Or doom yourself to a life that has no substance and no meaning. If you don't even care enough to try, then don't expect anyone else to care enough to make allowances for you.
Asif.

[Sup2u]

I've been thinking what AsIf was saying, but I didn't want to come across rude. We shouldn't avoid our problem. That just makes it worse. The more we face it the stronger we are.

[Asif]

Well yes.
It's not going to be easy, pleasant or nice in any way.
But it is very, very important.
Do not avoid. Do not confront. Face what comes with a calm resolve.
Little boys may grow up to look like adults, but not automatically to become men.
Face each challenge with courage. If nothing else, you can never be accused of cowardice.
Suffer bravely, and learn as you go. And be thankful your handicap is not much worse than it is.
Ever seen the movie "Gladiator"? Maximus says it rather well...
"Strength and Honour!"
Asif

[Sup2u]

Just face whats coming to you...interesting

[Gary1450]

Those of you in school - you need to let your teachers know you stutter.

I was going to Arizona State University and had to give a very short speech on an article I read.

I sent her an email letting her know I stuttered and may hesitate a little when I speak. She was totally understanding and thanked me for letting her know.

I was hardly even nervous after that because she knew the BIG secret - I wasn't dumb or retarded I just stutter.

[Asif]

Funny isn't it? How we will go to any lengths to HIDE our stuttering?
What a hopeless undertaking.
If it could be hidden, it would not be a problem.
No need to wear sackcloth and ashes: no need to advertise our dysfunctionality, but definitely a good thing to enlighten people as we go, so they know what's going on.
I think what all of us need to do the most is to learn to LIKE ourselves as we are.
Accept that we are what we are, and as good as anybody else, in spite of our shortcomings.
Work only at becoming more comfortable with what we have to deal with. Speech will automatically improve as the stress we heap upon ourselves diminishes.
Asif.

[Gary1450]

One more thing and that's all -

When I was going to high school in the early 90's there was no such thing as email.

I assume that high school teachers let students or parents send them emails now and then.

Make use of this option - I told my college professor something like this over an email.

"I just wanted to make you aware that I stumble over my words sometime when I talk beacuse of a stuttering problem I have. I don't need any special treatment but I just wanted to make you aware of this so if you hear me hestitate - that's why."

Something like that - word it however you want.

But for those of you who are young and think you can hide or avoid this problem over 4 years of high school you're in for a lot of anxiety. If you let the teacher know (don't worry about your classmates) you won't sit in class a nervous wreck like I did for 4 years. It takes so much pressure off you it's amazing.

[sacha]

OMG! i have thought i was alone for sooo long and reading everyone eles school reading problems and social situations, this is what i have been needing! because as much as you explain stuttering/stammering to anyone who hasnt got it they may understand but they dont know the frustration and emptyness we feel when our own body wont let us use the main communication system that is : SPEAKING! but we can sing! (and not stutter/stammer) i would rather have problems singing than speaking! :mad: :( :mad:


i have had in the past two years 3 speaking exams (as part of my english GCSES) and i have been downgraded on two of them beacause i couldnt SAY obvious advertisment points about an animal cruelty leaflet!!!! and others in my group could! they got As and i got a low D! how bollocks is that! :o

[jackfate]

Asif is correct in saying that how long can we hide from the situtations. Someday you got to face them. Anyway, I was lurking around looking for some inspiration since I am going to give a 45 min presentation of my phD work for my phD defence. I have given presentations earlier also and I am always nervous about stuttering when I am preparing my stuff but as soon as I hit the stage I am just rolling although I may stutter occasionally. I do not pretend that I don't stutter and most of my fellow students and profs know about it. I am planning to prepare well and see how it goes. I can't substitute also since there are scientific terms for which there is no other word :)

[llw03c]

I can't substitute also since there are scientific terms for which there is no other word :)
don't you just hate that!!! when i defended my thesis the same thing happened and i really hated it. i made my own power point presentation and tried to avoid the words as much as possible but you just have fight through it. i really wish i could just email my way through life.. :rolleyes:

[jackfate]

yeah llw03c I absolutely hate it but I have come to accept these things. I just met one of the profs who is on my research committee and he asked my if I am excited about defending my thesis. I said "sort of". He said something which just changed my perspective of my presentation. He said "Look at it this way, you are going to celebrate your phD completion with your friends and colleagues. You want to show them how much hard work you did in the course of your phD. Its a time of joy and celebration" After hearing this I have this calmness now and am pretty sure that I will do just fine.

[llw03c]

yeah llw03c I absolutely hate it but I have come to accept these things. I just met one of the profs who is on my research committee and he asked my if I am excited about defending my thesis. I said "sort of". He said something which just changed my perspective of my presentation. He said "Look at it this way, you are going to celebrate your phD completion with your friends and colleagues. You want to show them how much hard work you did in the course of your phD. Its a time of joy and celebration" After hearing this I have this calmness now and am pretty sure that I will do just fine.
yeah, when i defended my thesis, for a while i was successful in imagining that i was the only person in the room. that helped but i wasn't able to maintain that type of state for too long. i made it through though.

i don't know if the thesis defense is a "joyful" time. after my presentation, the professors that showed up proceeded to tear my presentation apart. i actually got light headed towards the end because i really really wasn't expecting that. in the end i was approved. i guess my advisor had the final word on my approval and he's all about graduating students. he wouldn't want an unsuccessful defense "under his watch"..lol!!

i still laugh about it when i think about it now because i know i made it through. you'll make it too...good luck, man!!

[jackfate]

So tomorrow is the big day for me, speaking in front of croud of peers, friends and professors for 45 min straight with very little possibility of word substitution. I have gone through 3 practice sessions already, one with my lab members and two with my professor. Whatever I learn about breathing or slow speaking is forgotten the moment I start speaking. Today my prof pointed out that I am finishing in 35 min instead of 45 so I can slow down. I love talking about my work with my friends with whom I don't stutter that much, but speaking in public is sure enough to keep my adreanlin pumping. I just want it to be over so that I can enjoy the party later.
Any last min tips from my fellow forum members would be highly appreciated

[Gary1450]

Good luck. I know maintaining eye contact reduces stuttering also. It sounds like you're a lot more fluent than the rest of us. Let us know how it went.

[Asif]

Laugh a little.
Open up by saying that this might not go as smoothly as you might like, but you'll do your VERY best anyway.
And dive in.
Scared? I would be.
Grab the fear and dance with it. Hug it, laugh at it.
Do a cartwheel.
Breathe and breathe again. Enjoy yourself.
Then show them how smart you are.
Asif.

[Gary1450]

Good advice Asif. It's good to see you back on the forum Asif, I haven't seen you logged in lately.

[jackfate]

thanks guys for all the advice especially asif's breathing protocol. I nailed the presentation. I started with some minor blocks but I just roled on and then it got really good. I was looking at the audience, and going really slowly. I also did remember to do abdominal breathing. 45 minutes passed really quickly. The word is going around that it was among the best phD talks in our department. The other reason might be that I used lots of animations to clarify my point and people loved it. Somebody recorded a brief video of my talk and will upload it later if anyone is interested. Anyway your truly is now Dr.
Thank you guys for the tips and suggestions. It has given me new confidence in myself.

[llw03c]

good job, man!!

[Gary1450]

I second that - good job!!

[Asif]

Dr. Jackfate :)~
I like it!
Asif.

[Andrew]

This will get you a bad grade... but it should save you from embarrasment. I found I stutter less if at all while reading... and doing so at a slow pace helps even more.

Has anyone ever approached a teacher and told them about their problem so maybe they could make it easier? I'd like to do it but im embarrased.

[Gary1450]

Do your teachers have email?

Send them one. I did that in college.

[Flash]

This will get you a bad grade... but it should save you from embarrasment. I found I stutter less if at all while reading... and doing so at a slow pace helps even more.For me, sometimes I would be better if I just improvised with little or no practice. Reading from something actually makes me a little worse. I guess this is because I can't actually substitute in other words. Instead, I would just use note cards to write down major points, but never whole sentences. Then just look down breifly at the card and then speak from memory. This also helps with maintaining eye contact with the audience, which is a big factor in presentations. If I knew a word I would stutter on badly was gonna be coming up, then I would just substitue some other word in. I dunno why, but for some reason I can usually sense if i'm gonna stutter on a certain word a sec. or two before I'm actually speaking it.Has anyone ever approached a teacher and told them about their problem so maybe they could make it easier? I'd like to do it but im embarrased.I have lots of times. Then they wouldn't call me at all or just a little bit. It definetely made feel a little less stressed out. Mostly in high school though....I haven't yet told any in college but some already know anyways from me speaking to them. At first, some teachers let me choose if I wanted to present orally, do the presentation 1 on 1, or just like hand them a typed copy of my speech. Later on, I choose to face my fears and just present to the whole class since most people already knew I stuttered and it seemed to me to be even more embarrassing to hand the teacher a paper while everyone else presented.Do your teachers have email?

Send them one. I did that in college.Most likely all teachers and other employees in college have seperate school email.....public school teachers and employees do too....especially in high school.

[Gary1450]

When I was in highschool - 1989-1993 - there was no such thing as email.

Take advantage of technology.

[Andrew]

I don't know my teacher's email. I only really to do this for one class... my other teacher only calls on you if you raise your hand. This class, we all sit in order in rows, and while reviewing each homework assignment we have to answer it in order from left to right... which I really don't like. I'm not sure exactly what to say to him. I'd like to talk to him before class (so i dont have to embarras myself... again) but my brother who drives me always gets me there late. I get so terrified of speaking sometimes in that class because we use technical jargon that I skipped school that day even though I did my homework and everything. Maybe I can get there early and talk to him outside of the class room... he'd probably move me to the back of the class so the other students won't get suspicious. I sat in the front because I came in 30 mins late the first day and I didn't wanna disrupt class walking to the back... and it turns out when we do the answering of the questions im #2 in line. The students in the back rarely get called on because the # of problems we have to answer usually isnt that great. I need some help for what I would say... first I'd ask if I could speak to him outside the classroom... then what? Something like "You may have noticed I have a speech problem and I'd appreciate [if i can get that word out... i'll prob substitute it] if I wasn't called on. I know the material because I'm CET certified already, but if I call out answers I will be made fun of by my fellow classmates"

Is that ok? What would you guys say if you were in my shoes (btw I wear 10 1/2) (Sorry I try to bring humor into everything :-)



Originally Posted by Andrew
Has anyone ever approached a teacher and told them about their problem so maybe they could make it easier? I'd like to do it but im embarrased.
I have lots of times. Then they wouldn't call me at all or just a little bit. It definetely made feel a little less stressed out. Mostly in high school though....I haven't yet told any in college but some already know anyways from me speaking to them. At first, some teachers let me choose if I wanted to present orally, do the presentation 1 on 1, or just like hand them a typed copy of my speech. Later on, I choose to face my fears and just present to the whole class since most people already knew I stuttered and it seemed to me to be even more embarrassing to hand the teacher a paper while everyone else presented.

[Flash]

I don't know my teacher's email. I only really to do this for one class... my other teacher only calls on you if you raise your hand. This class, we all sit in order in rows, and while reviewing each homework assignment we have to answer it in order from left to right... which I really don't like. I'm not sure exactly what to say to him. I'd like to talk to him before class (so i dont have to embarras myself... again) but my brother who drives me always gets me there late. I get so terrified of speaking sometimes in that class because we use technical jargon that I skipped school that day even though I did my homework and everything. Maybe I can get there early and talk to him outside of the class room... he'd probably move me to the back of the class so the other students won't get suspicious. I sat in the front because I came in 30 mins late the first day and I didn't wanna disrupt class walking to the back... and it turns out when we do the answering of the questions im #2 in line. The students in the back rarely get called on because the # of problems we have to answer usually isnt that great. I need some help for what I would say... first I'd ask if I could speak to him outside the classroom... then what? Something like "You may have noticed I have a speech problem and I'd appreciate [if i can get that word out... i'll prob substitute it] if I wasn't called on. I know the material because I'm CET certified already, but if I call out answers I will be made fun of by my fellow classmates"

Is that ok? What would you guys say if you were in my shoes (btw I wear 10 1/2) (Sorry I try to bring humor into everything :-)I'm not sure if this is at all colleges.....but at mine, all teachers must give a seperate syllabus for each different class. Some of the things on the syllabus include the teachers office hours and office room, email, phone #, etc.

Also look on your schools website. If you take the time and search around maybe there will be a link to the different departments which will include all the teachers in that department and their info. High schools might have this also (well, at least mine did). Hope some of these options help in finding out info about your teacher? But, I think it's best to talk to a teacher about this type of issue 1 on 1.

As for telling him about your stuttering.....just tell him you have a speech problem (some like to call it a speech impediment). Maybe tell him a little info about stuttering in general and maybe a little history about your stuttering. If your not comfortable responding in class yet, then tell him that you would like to not be called upon. This isn't a permanent solution, but just temporary. Hope some of that helps!

[Andrew]

Thanks for the support. I will tell him. If he doesn't undertstand I'm dropping. I've never opened up my weaknesses to anyone and if he is like "u have to partisipate like everyone else" I will tell him to his face he's not being respectful to my sitsuation and I will no longer go to ITT.

I don't think it will come to that because he sometimes has a stammer problem. My class is suposed to get me ready for the CET exam... which I can show him that I passed... so I know the material so he doesnt need to call on me. If he rejects my offer, can I go to my advisor and explain to them my sitsuation? I do have a medical history of seeing therapists for speech so I'm not faking it. If he doesnt care about my terrifying fear of talking in front of everyone, I'm going to drop ITT. I almost got in a fight today with someonone (just shoving) so if I beat someone up I'll be expelled and no more embarrasing myself. I've never opened up my stuttering problem to anyone in real life and if he shits on me, expect me to not be too nice back.

[Flash]

This is kinda off topic....but earlier I noticed you said the teacher was a "he" and now at the end of your last post your saying "she"? Which is it? lol :confused: not that it matters, but just wanted to get it cleared up.

If your teacher rejects, I don't think there really is anyone who could do something about it. But, you can always double check with a counselor.

[Andrew]

I talked to my teacher today. He said he still has a stuttering problem himself sometimes and he understood where I was coming from and thanked me for telling him about my problem. He says I won't be called on unless I raised my hand. Thanks to whoever had the guts to approach their teacher first! You just relieved alot of stress from 1 of my classes. :)

[Gary1450]

Excellent Andrew. That always helps me. It takes the pressure off.

[Flash]

I talked to my teacher today. He said he still has a stuttering problem himself sometimes and he understood where I was coming from and thanked me for telling him about my problem. He says I won't be called on unless I raised my hand. Thanks to whoever had the guts to approach their teacher first! You just relieved alot of stress from 1 of my classes. :)Great job Andrew! Now just try talking to all your other teachers that you feel need to know and explaing your whole situation.

I never found it too stressful to talk to a teacher. Never once had I had a teacher laugh, mimick, mock, etc. I hope no one else has either or else that would probably be the ultimate in disrespect. Talking to them was pretty easy because it was a one on one situation and I feel really comfortable talking to people one on one.

Sometimes I wouldn't even go to them directly to explain them about my stuttering situation. For example, I would go in to get help with homework, a class assignment, or a project and they would notice it when I asked them questions. Also sometimes I tried to over do it and actually stutter a little more heavily so that it would be even more noticeable. Don't get me wrong.....my stutter is noticeable as it is, but just did it to make sure it was 100% eye-catching and striking.