I'd like to do Eng 2 Units- but I have EXTREME stage fright? (1 Viewer)

[Sweetheavens]

Seriously. I'm okay with the whole writing essays/narratives/poetry, analysing etc. but I can never do a speech straight. Its actually really embarrassing cause we had to do a speech this year, and I started crying when I stood up on stage Giving speeches is literally a phobia for me, and I probs spurred by a really bad incident that happened to me during a speech when I was younger. I asked my sis and she said that for the HSC, I would be given special conditions where I only perform the speech in front of a single teacher, and no audience. Is this true? I feel confident doing a speech in front of one or two people, but when there is 5+ I feel so sick..

And if its not true, I'd be really sad, cause I love english....

 

[Fawun]

They don't say "confront you're fears" for nothing you know...

 

[enoilgam]

What english level do you want to do? Speeches dont happen often and they dont usually count for much anyway.

 

[SpiralFlex]

You must do a speech at every level of English in Year 11 and 12 (as I am told). I know what its like getting up there, not big of a fan, each year I am remembered for my nervousness. But I tell you, if you practice and just get up and talk -afterwards you will feel so much better.

 

[Sweetheavens]

HELP- I have REALLY BAD stage fright

I'm in year 10, but asking over here for the sake of getting answers from year 11/12's. The thing is I have a phobia of public speaking- as soon as I get on stage I start crying and my head spins, and I do embarrasing things in order to escape the room. I've never had a successful speech in my life. Even a few weeks ago I simply sat in my chair and refused to stand up for a speech (and also cried in front of the class too....blerggh)...I know I can noodle my way through in the younger years, but I really love English apart from presentations, and I would hate to not choose it for my HSC.

Someone told me that I would be given special conditions if I chose English, and only one teacher would watch my speech rather than a whole audience. Is this true? I've never been to a doctor/therapist about it, so I don't have a certificate or something formal to prove it. In fact people are skeptical when I tell them I have a fear of speeches/ presentations, since I'm a drama student and have no problem getting on a stage and doing a funny act (I try to explain to them the whole 'becoming a new character' thing but then they tell me to just do my speech pretending to be another character. It's nowhere near as easy as saying it though )

Anyway, anyone in your school who was in a similar position to me? And as I asked before, is it possible for me to get special conditions?

Thanks in advance guys

 

[eshay lad 69]

Re: HELP- I have REALLY BAD stage fright

so i have to do presentation for class
-awkward as ****
-start working out
-not so awkward
-zyzz is my inspiration
-presentation again
-trembling
-just keep telling myself "i'm fawkin zeez bruh"
-get confident
-my turn
-i get up there
-start shaking uncontrollably
-start telling myself "i'm fawkin zeez bruh"
-teacher says I can start anytime
-I start off with "i'm fawkin zeez bruh"
-at this point I'm so nervous I blackout
-"i'm fawkin zeez bruh"
-repeat at least 4 more times
-look around the room, people are saying "why does he keep saying that?"
-girls start laughing
-I pass out
-hit head on the corner of teacher's desk
-minor concussion
-teacher thinks I was on drugs
-classmates call my zeezprah
-nickname eventually turns into zebra
-i haven't heard my real name in months
-haven't been this depressed since high school

 

[Sweetheavens]

I'm thinking of doing Ext 2

The problem is its not just a case of nerves. I can't talk, its like my mouth is filled with foam and my tongue is tied. Sometimes when I manage to open my mouth I just end up making a weird noise, or else if I'm saying 'Cats are fat', I end up saying 'Catoogy da flooat'. I sound absolutely ridicolous

 

[SunnyScience]

Re: HELP- I have REALLY BAD stage fright

If you see a physiologist and get this in writing, I'm more then positive arrangements can be worked out. If you love English, pick it. Besides, two years is a long time - you might even be over it by then.

 

[Sweetheavens]

Re: HELP- I have REALLY BAD stage fright

LOL hilarious story

 

[Fawun]

Re: HELP- I have REALLY BAD stage fright

Why did you make 2 of the same threads

 

[Fawun]

Re: HELP- I have REALLY BAD stage fright

so i have to do presentation for class
-awkward as ****
-start working out
-not so awkward
-zyzz is my inspiration
-presentation again
-trembling
-just keep telling myself "i'm fawkin zeez bruh"
-get confident
-my turn
-i get up there
-start shaking uncontrollably
-start telling myself "i'm fawkin zeez bruh"
-teacher says I can start anytime
-I start off with "i'm fawkin zeez bruh"
-at this point I'm so nervous I blackout
-"i'm fawkin zeez bruh"
-repeat at least 4 more times
-look around the room, people are saying "why does he keep saying that?"
-girls start laughing
-I pass out
-hit head on the corner of teacher's desk
-minor concussion
-teacher thinks I was on drugs
-classmates call my zeezprah
-nickname eventually turns into zebra
-i haven't heard my real name in months
-haven't been this depressed since high school

/thread

 

[Demento1]

Re: HELP- I have REALLY BAD stage fright

You perform well in drama and you must act naturally in it. I am only a year 10 student but I will definitely give you some pointers. It is no doubt, natural for people at some stages in their life, to be absolutely frightened when doing their speeches. Speeches can be a way of differentiating a good English person from a great one. When I was a small child, I was always scared to death of going up in front of assemblies and giving a talk. I have recently done debating and I enjoy public speaking. Now, how may we combat this issue? Below, I have some pointers which are worthy of consideration:

- Prepare your speech and read it over and over. This way the thought of 100% preparation will allow you to talk with some confidence.

- Face your fears directly. Actually ask you family's assistance by acting as a sample audience. Speak in front of them and ask for some feedback.

- Use my method. I imagine that I am on stage, talking to a punch of people who are ready to be AMAZED at my talk and inspired and intrigued. I always think positively about how my audience would react to my speech.

- If for instances, your heart rate may dramatically increase, meditation is definitely recommended. I try to take slow deep breaths if I am ever stressed. It is a skill called mindfulness (definitely recommend searching it up on google) and this has been essential to helping me in examinations.

- Remember that you are not alone. I still get butterflies in my stomach immediately before my talks. Some extremely good speakers in my school also admit that they are a little worried before their speeches but that is perfectly fine and natural.

- A simple one. Have you had green tea before an exam before? I will definitely recommend drinking this a period before any examination for that matter.

Best of luck and feel free to PM me if you want me to assist or elaborate on anything.

 

[Absolutezero]

Re: HELP- I have REALLY BAD stage fright

I used to be in a similar position to you. Close or in tears, didn't want to stand up. Got diagnosed by my teacher as having stage fright. It's a terrible position to be in. The thing is, it can be beaten.

You say that:

I'm a drama student and have no problem getting on a stage and doing a funny act (I try to explain to them the whole 'becoming a new character' thing but then they tell me to just do my speech pretending to be another character. It's nowhere near as easy as saying it though )

This is actually an important stepping stone in the process. I think it was the thing that helped me overcome my stage fright, by being able to prove to myself that I could get up in front of everyone and deliver something.

Some tips:
- A speech is no different to a monologue or a script. It's about delivering a message that is important to an audience. They serve exactly the same function.

- When you deliver a speech, you are creating a character. It's the same process. The Obama that deliverys political speeches is different to the Obama that hangs out with his wife and kids. Create a strong character version of yourself.

- Ground yourself. Take your shoes off if you need to. It'll feel more like acting

- Breathe. Strong, steady breathes.

- Many people say focus on the task, but sometimes it can be good to do the opposite in the lead up. The waiting is often the worst part, so ask your teacher if you can go first on the second day of speeches (since most times that go over multiple lessons)

- The content of your speech is not as important as you think it is. Seriously. I think this is one of the difficult things to get over. If you treat your speech like another piece of dialogue, it doesn't have the same weight to it. People get freaked out because they are being judged. Your not really. Half the class doesn't really care about what your saying. There's very low risk.

- The worst is already over. You say you've been in tears before speeches. As someone's who's been through that, that's about as bad as it gets. I've done speeches where jokes have bombed, could hardly be heard, and had the speaker before me completely belittle the audience. Bad conditions, and yet, the tears I had previously were worse. You've done the hard part, the process can only get better.

I went from having stage fright to getting lead roles in productions, winning the public speaking award at my school, and being the best debater in my school. It can be overcome. And you can do it.

Feel free to message me if you have anything you'd like to ask.

 

[Sweetheavens]

lol sorry about making two threads. im used to lurking on yahoo answers so this forum format is confusing.....
anyway thanks to all the replies i guess ill have to ask the school counselor for more more help

 

[Absolutezero]

Don't worry, I've merged the two threads into one, and made sure it's in a correct place.

Like I said, feel free to message me if you've got any more concerns.