Around 75 percent of people are scared to publicly speak; however, public speaking is something that cannot be avoided in life. Regardless of what career you choose, eventually you will have to speak in front of people. So instead of avoiding it, we should practice on how to become better speakers.
I have noticed many benefits to public speaking since I started doing team policy debates under the National Christian Forensic and Communication Association in 8th grade a couple of years ago. I am still a part of this today. I am now more confident, comfortable speaking, and enjoy expressing myself. My writing also has improved a lot as I learned to communicate effectively. I found that people take me more seriously, and it is easier to advocate for myself because I know that I can communicate clearly.
Laurel Barrett, a Mock Trial lawyer for Gateway, was asked if she has seen any changes in herself since she started Mock Trial. Overall, Laurel found that speaking in front of other people who had a lot more experience than her was hard but ultimately rewarding.
It helped me think faster on my feet. It also made me more comfortable when working with others. The more you do something, the easier it becomes.
— Laurel Barrett, Junior
Ellie Mazzuco, my team policy debate partner for three years, commented that she has noticed many benefits to public speaking.
From speaking in public I have learned to gain confidence in myself and express myself well.
— Ellie Mazzuco
“Speaking in public forces you to go out of your comfort zones. It teaches you to explore the reasons behind your belief. It teaches you to express yourself in a way others can understand and relate to,” she continues.
Personally, I have seen great benefits from public speaking, and I expect the skills I learn to serve me well my entire life. If you are feeling very ambitious about public speaking, you can reach out to Mr. Joyce about joining Mock Trial next year, or Mr. Kennedy for Model UN. Public speaking can be scary, and if you are not as confident, start with joining in class discussions! No matter what you do, public speaking is a good skill to have as it will always serve you well!
