How do you read oral reports in front of a class?

Question

Whenever I have to read an oral report or do a presentation in front of the class I get extremely nervous!!! Like pee my pants and barfing nervous!! :(

so I was wondering what I can do to calm down before a report....

My face also turns extremely red...(oh and when I'm nervous I'll start to laugh) how embarrassing!!

All the kids can tell when I'm nervous...so is there anyway I can look like everything is perfectly fine?????

Answer 1

I get really nervous sometimes too!  I absolutely hate oral reports!  I usually just tell myself to get it over with and nobody is really going to think about my report the whole day.  I also take some deep breaths and just smile.  I also just look at the top of peoples head and try not to look at them directly.  Hope this helps!

Answer 2

All I know is I'm 25 and even in college classes I still turn bright red, talk extremely fast and fumble over the simplest words. Also I get so nervous i read directly from the paper and forget to look at the group. My only cure is doing power point presentations to illustrate points. That way, the lights get turned down low and noone can see my bright red face. Good luck, relax and remember it'll all be over soon.

Answer 3

First realize that everyone else gets nervous at some level too. It's okay.  Also, we tend to think people are paying more attention to us than they really are.  Think about what you attend to when someone else is speaking.  Tips: Practice your report.  Don't speak to fast.  Pick two good friends at opposite sides of the class and talk to them.  You don't turn red and barf when you talk to them do you? Also you might want to have a little something in your hand to rub/turn around.  It could help discharge some of the nervous energy.  Lastly breath nice deep slow breaths.  This will slow down your heart rate.  Good luck!

Answer 4

Take a deep breath before you start and also just breathe while reading it. Pretend you are talking to your friend while reading the report and you will be fine

Answer 5

I have the same problem my words come in slurs but they still understand me I just talk really fast to get over it. :} or pratice in front of my friends.

Answer 6

I used to be extremely nervous when I did oral presentations as well, but then I realised my main problem; I went in with the preconception that people weren't going to enjoy the speech I was going to give. The main thing is to convince yourself that your speech is interesting; include anecdotes or if possible even humour (although I admit this can be quite difficult... perhaps a funny quote?) If you can make yourself believe they will like your speech, chances are, they WILL like your speech.

There are many ways people use to calm themselves. Some tense all the muscles and then relax them to relax the body; some fidget with objects such as paperclips to take their mind off the speech. Try to get your speech done to key words written on cue cards, and practice often; this should dramatically improve eye contact, and ensure you know the bulk of your speech well. If you have good eye contact, you'll look much more confident. Try to get yourself riled up before the speech (e.g. before I do a debate, I take deep breaths, roll up my sleeves, get myself pumped up...) During the speech, instead of saying 'um' and 'ah' to fill in gaps, either stay quiet, or say 'ladies and gentlemen' liberally.

Go in with confidence, and you'll do great. Good luck!

Answer 7

Practice in front of the mirror and try to memorize as much as you can. Be sure to make eye contact with everyone in the room, because it makes you seem confident and it looks like you know what you're doing. If you can't make eye contact, look at the very back of the classroom; it looks like you're looking at everyone. When your up there speaking, picture yourself in your mirror practicing. I hope this helps and i wish you the very best of luck!

-Shmoog

Answer 8

Believe it or not mostly everyone in your class is feeling the same way. I took speech class in college 2 years ago and what helped me was volunteering to go first. every speech i did i went first, that way i wasn't comparing myself to anybody else and got it done and over with quickly. then you can relax while everybody else does their report. Just be confident in your self and please do try going first. It will help a lot.  

Answer 9

One way I've kept from getting nervous in front of a crowd is to avoid looking at anyone and pretend I am talking to myself.  And how do I do this, while also making them think I'm looking at them?  I look directly above their heads to the back of the room, so that it appears I'm making eye contact with the crowd, when really, I'm staring at the back wall and pretending they aren't even there.

Answer 10

pretend like your talking to yourself...it may feel wierd but try it

Answer 11

Read what this psychiatrist said about reading oral reports.  Thank you.  

Answer 12

Everyone of these answers is correct. And yes it is very normal to be going through these experiences. The only thing that I can add is: have you tried practicing in front of a mirror? That way you can see yourself and how you might react while giving the report. Also, try practicing before an audience. Some people use their family or friends, but I would use someone who would give you constructive criticism, but yet wouldn't shun you. Even if you don't have to memorize your report, I would do it anyways because it will already be in your head and it won't sound so monotone-ish. And remember, you aren't the only one going through this, so keep that in mind.  

Answer 13

First off, no matter what anyone says DO NOT picture your audience in their underwear. ;) It doesn't work.

Just make sure you know the speech front and back. Even though it might be awkward, ask a few of your close friends if you could practice on them, then have them give you critique. Practice in the mirror a lot, and try to avoid saying "um". In my opinion that's what ruins speeches.

Ask your teacher if they have extra time and recite it to them once or twice, I'm sure they'll know exactly how to improve your oral skills.

Keep some note cards with you even if you know you have it memorized. You never know when you'll freeze up.

If you stumble on a word just repeat it and move on like nothing happened. Try not to laugh, or comment, or make a big deal out of it in any way.

Answer 14

Just when your reading it dont look at them

HAHAH

I have to do that alot...

Especially in middle school

But just dont look at them

Try hard not to get embarassed becuase look on the bright side

your not the only one shy probably :D

Answer 15

I know exactly where your coming from. I'm sure your not alone, i remember the first time a student yawned when i was teaching, it nearly crushed me lol. I don't think however there are any easy answers. Different things work for different people. I remember one colleague saying that it doesn't matter because the kids don't listen anyway. It does get better though and once you've got through one class OK you get a real buzz. I used to try to take little positives from classes, like things i felt i did better than before etc. I feel kids are far less judgmental on your ability than adults and i always try to include them as much as possible. The other thing is you can take pride in that you have got through it at least once, no matter how bad you felt it was, and that's more than a lot of people. I know big, hairy tough men who wouldn't go anywhere near a class of kids.

Oh i also hate it when a student says something that's just not funny and everyone laughs. ( they can be very funny as well though ).

Answer 16

Just go up there and be confident if they mess up they dont care trust me, everyone will be nervous or else there will be no point of the oral exam. Just speak clearly, slowly, and people say to make eye contact but how are you supposed to read an do that at the same time. , but if its memorization then yes make eye contact. And smile.

Answer 17

take a deep breath. and when you prenset

look above their heads and look  at something in the closet or back wall

so it seems like youre looking at themm. breathe in breath out  

Answer 18

focus on 1 of your friends in the class and justt read or get a F its that simple

Answer 19

I also agree with "pictas."  And also remember that there are students in the audience that are just as scared as you are.  When I was in high school and college, I thought listening to other students oral reports were fun.  Regardless if they did an excellent report or rather it was mediocre or poor, I was just happy to take a break from listening to the teacher talk all day! Lol! That is the truth.  So truuuussstt me.....students are just happy to take a break from academics and honestly, most of them are just "in the zone" anyway!  

Answer 20

I used to get really nervous when i had to do an oral report in front of a class.

What I did was practice over and over again. It may not seem like a lot but it is a big help.

Also, if you look at your class mates, it will make you more nervous so you should focus on a point in the back of the room.

Your classmates probably don't care about who's up, only trying to waste time, so don't be nervous.

Take a big breathe before you are about to present to, to keep you focus and calmed.

I hope you do good and that my advice helped. =]

Answer 21

Mainly just practice, it's anxiety that a lot of people get from public speaking. Unfortunately there's very little you can do to overcome it aside from just practicing.

The best you can do though:

Just be yourself. It's hard to do, but remember, these are classmates, they have all been in the same spot. Just be yourself.

Answer 22

I had the same problem when I was your age. I would get sick to my stomach & laugh while reading it.

I then started telling myself I was going to be confident and they all have to do it too.

I kind of went up there with a I don't care what any one else thinks attitude and projected confidence. It all worked out about high school for me.

For the longest time I would take a failing grade because I didn't want to do it.

It is hard but just tell yourself you can do it

Answer 23

~Take DEEEP breaths lol

~Don't keep eye contact with just one person.

~Make sure you know what your supposed to say ;)

~Ask the teacher if you can use notecards

~Keep things exciting in your report so people don't look bored. Interactive?

~Have some water before.

~Try to hold in the laughter and think of something boring like... a history textbook?

Hope this helps =] It's all the stuff I do. I'm an incredibly shy person so oral presentations kill me. =]