I am going back to school.

Question

I am enrolling to get a master's degree in special education. But due to my lack of communication skills, I am afraid to fail in this too. How can I go about this and just focus in the class. I am sure this will include communicating reports and research to the class. How can I do to not feel intimidated. I know I will be surrounded by teachers and people who have experience. I am only a substitute teacher and haven't had the luck to get hired as a teacher. How do I cope with this?

Answer 1

Just try to relax and take your time and you can even try to think about something else to take your mind off the topic.  

Answer 2

  watch and learn from the pros  dont be afraid of asking  questions.i imagine they all felt, what you are feeling at one time.hang in there.my best memories of school. was my special education teacher.  mrs.Anslem. she gave me confidence in my self. im sure you will do great. make a kid proud.

Answer 3

Have you ever heard of Toastmasters?

http://www.toastmasters.org/

Toastmasters is a group devoted to helping people learn to give speaches and present materials in public. They do it by making you practice, and by giving speaches in a very supportive environment. You could practice giving the speaches you'd need in your classes and in your job, with your Toastmasters group.

Presenting material before a group is a learned skill. It's something you can learn. It takes practice, and you have to deal with the fear, but you can improve your performance. Groups like Toastmasters can help.

Some master's degree programs also offer classes in "business communications", specific to your field. You could ask your program about this.

In terms of what material to present to the class, and how: when you get your first assignment, go to the professor during office hours and discuss *exactly* what he wants with him. Make sure you really understand what he needs. And after you're done presenting your assignment, go back to him again and review what you did, and focus on what you can do better next time.  

Answer 4

Marijuana will solve all your problems!

Answer 5

You need to practice talking out loud in your own room.  The more you practice the better you will get.  Try looking to your left then in the center of the room and the to your right so you will be speaking to everyone.  Say a complete sentence or thought before you move your head to talk with the next group.

Try emphasizing important words.  Don't just talk in a monotone voice.  That can be very boring to listeners.  

Even preachers practice their sermons out loud several times before they actually give the sermon.  So practice, practice, practice speaking out loud.  Don't be intimidated by others because every one is there to learn and most of them will be scared to death to give a speech.  But with you practicing  speaking out loud, you will be fine.  Have confidence in yourself.  Practicing speaking out loud will give you he confidence you need.

Good luck!