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The right words to success

REMA SUNDER discovers that public speaking training is fast becoming popular

PHOTO: S. MAHINSHA

WORD POWER Bejoy Peter feels that with commitment and perseverance, one can excel in public speaking

An important attribute of a leader, public speaking is the art of communicating to a group of people and it calls for attitude, skill and knowledge by the speaker along with positive body language and voice modulation. While coordinating these might seem a mighty task to the novice, public speaking trainers aver that this art can be learnt and perfected through practice.

A learnable art

Says G. Balachandran, a freelance public speaking trainer based at Malakkara in Pathanamthitta district, "No public speaker is born; public speaking is an art that can be learnt." Balachandran, who is the second International Training Fellow of Junior Chamber International (JCI) University, United States, from India and the only one from Kerala, has been conducting training in public speaking both in the country and abroad since 1992. Agreeing that public speaking is a `learnable art,' Bejoy Peter, a public speaking trainer in the city adds, "With commitment and perseverance, one can excel in this form of art." Bejoy has been conducting training sessions for high school students, graduates and professionals since 1996.

Bejoy outlines facets of public speaking. "There must be a desire to communicate, there must be something to say and (a public speaker) must be able to connect with the audience."

Stating that public speaking should be used to "touch people mentally," Balachandran also stresses the importance of connecting with the audience through narrating personal experience and using quotations and humour in the speech. He cautions against the use of humour just for the sake of it and adds that the audience should "go home with at least two or three useful points." Balachandran notes, "the first impression is the best impression and the last impression should have a lasting impression."

As trainers note, public speaking trainings are essentially confidence building exercises. It is recommended for people, who in spite of great talent and meritorious academic achievements, are found lacking in the requisite soft skills.

Says Thomas Abraham, general secretary, YMCA Thiruvananthapuram, which has been conducting public speaking sessions, "In this age of competition, students with public speaking skills stand a chance to fare better in group discussions and interviews."

Says Bejoy, "Even though public speaking is essentially speaking from the stage, I have found through experience that once this is mastered, other different forms of communication like group discussions, interviews and peer group discussions can be easily achieved."

Agreeing that public speaking skills are powerful, Balachandran advocates that public speaking should be included in the curriculum and regular opportunities for speaking should be given in the school assembly. To motivate students, there must be a system of giving prizes to good performers, he feels.

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