Speaking well and with confidence and before an audience, especially for the purpose of preaching Krishna consciousness, is one of the most useful things anyone can learn in life. The ability to organize thoughts and communicate them clearly is important in many ways. Some notes are posted here:
Engage in informal debate on topics brought up by Srila Prabhupada in sastra readings. One person may pose as a non believer and prompt further discussion. One example is an opening statement like, “I don’t believe in hell.” and the debate can go from there, using the evidence from the chapter studied.
APPEARANCE IS IMPORTANT
It's good to also observe public speakers. This includes observing non verbal communication such as how one’s dress or posture affects others.
THE ART OF CONVERSATION
A most important skill is how to engage in meaningful, polite conversation with others.. A few rules for discussion and role playing could be what not to do- don’t monopolize a conversation; don’t interrupt another's speaking; don’t talk about yourself too much, avoid gossip, etc..
MAKE TIME TO TALK
Turn off the TV and other electronics and take time for talk with family and friends that is unhurried and unstructured- such as mealtimes, working together, family outings and bedtime.
MORE SUGGESTIONS
Use writing prompts for speaking practice topics (an upcoming link)
Also see Dramatic Play- homemade tapes, videos, skits, puppet shows all require good speaking skills (upcoming link).
- Practice speaking with good posture, eye contact, speaking in order, with clarity, good enunciation and good expression.
- Don’t speak while inhaling.
- Avoid saying “um”, “er” and other language "fillers". Speak plainly.
- Practice tongue twisters for emphasizing careful enunciation.
- Move the mouth in an exaggerated way when practicing good enunciation. And make sure to enunciate the final sounds of each word.
- Daily singing and reading aloud develop the voice.
- Practice speaking in front of a mirror, tape recording and video taping can all help one to improve in their presentation.
- Show and tell- bring some meaningful object and tell about it.
- Playing school is one idea for the younger set. The "teacher" gets to lecture on a subject.
- Take turns reading and speaking about Bhagavad gita verse.
- Recite or read aloud a favorite group of verses or a poem using good expression, enunciation, etc. Practice first.
- Tell stories from sastra, Aesop’s, Pancatantra, etc. Analyze the parts of the story carefully to fix it in your mind and then tell it in order with good expression.
- Tape record a story.
- Tell about an experience. For example, "My Encounter with a Mongoose"
- Explain how to do something or how to make something. You may wish to take a simple topic and make it as elaborate and detailed as you want.
- Describe orally a person, place, thing, event...
- Health talk. Older students can prepare and give a short talk on various health topics for younger children. A quick method is to outline an article about an important topic (Parenting magazines are full of them) and present it, referring to keywords. Practice what will be said ahead of time.
- Use visuals such as props, charts, slide show... to aid your presentation.
- Share researched reports in various subject..
- Give a speech using the essay form- introduce your topic, speak about your topic, then add a conclusion or summation of what you said.
- Oral book reports. (May use Reading Rainbow videos for examples.) Tell about the most important part of the book.
- Try impromptu. Give an unplanned, unrehearsed speech about a familiar topic.
- Give a persuasive speech that argues, "Why one should chant Hare Krishna".
Engage in informal debate on topics brought up by Srila Prabhupada in sastra readings. One person may pose as a non believer and prompt further discussion. One example is an opening statement like, “I don’t believe in hell.” and the debate can go from there, using the evidence from the chapter studied.
It's good to also observe public speakers. This includes observing non verbal communication such as how one’s dress or posture affects others.
A most important skill is how to engage in meaningful, polite conversation with others.. A few rules for discussion and role playing could be what not to do- don’t monopolize a conversation; don’t interrupt another's speaking; don’t talk about yourself too much, avoid gossip, etc..
Turn off the TV and other electronics and take time for talk with family and friends that is unhurried and unstructured- such as mealtimes, working together, family outings and bedtime.
Use writing prompts for speaking practice topics (an upcoming link)
Also see Dramatic Play- homemade tapes, videos, skits, puppet shows all require good speaking skills (upcoming link).
