The Importance of Mastering Public Speaking Skills
The ability to speak in public, or public speaking, is one of the essential skills that students need to master. Various academic and non-academic activities require effective public speaking skills.. Many individuals feel incapable of speaking in front of an audience despite possessing sufficient knowledge and a strong personal appearance. On the other hand, public speaking is sometimes underestimated and inadequately prepared, resulting in less-than-optimal outcomes. In fact, mastering public speaking skills can significantly contribute to students’ success.
Many factors influence a person’s ability to speak in public. One of the most important is self-confidence. Confidence is crucial in public speaking. A lack of confidence can lead to anxiety, which may manifest through hesitant speech, difficulty expressing ideas clearly, trembling while speaking, and other visible signs of nervousness. These symptoms can further hinder effective public communication.
Challenges Faced by the Partner Institution and Proposed Solutions
Public communication challenges were also experienced by students of SMA Triguna, located approximately 17 kilometers from the Universitas Tarumanagara campus. These issues were identified through discussions with the school’s Guidance and Counseling teacher, who represented the institution. According to the school representative, many students at SMA Triguna, located in South Jakarta, lacked confidence when speaking in public and often experienced tension when addressing a group of people. It was believed that one contributing factor was the relatively small student population at the school, which provided limited opportunities for students to become accustomed to speaking before an audience.
Following initial discussions with representatives of SMA Triguna, the Community Service Team (PKM) from the Faculty of Communication Sciences, Universitas Tarumanagara, agreed to conduct a seminar and training program on public speaking for the students. The seminar and training were held on September 26, 2023.
The program began with a seminar introducing various public speaking techniques.. The seminar aimed to equip participants with the knowledge necessary to deliver effective and engaging public presentations. The material was presented dynamically, serving as a practical example for participants. Among the topics discussed was the importance of preparation in building confidence for public speaking. The public speaking materials covered included:
- Public Speaking Preparation
– Identifying the objectives of a public speaking activity.
– Gathering information about the situation, venue, and type of event where the presentation will take place.
– Understanding the audience.
– Adapting messages to suit audience characteristics.
– Preparing storytelling elements, gimmicks, and supporting props.
– Developing persuasive presentation materials.
- Public Speaking Delivery
– Managing verbal communication, including selecting appropriate vocabulary for the audience and organizing ideas in a logical manner.
– Managing non-verbal communication, including dressing appropriately for the occasion and audience, maintaining eye contact, and using effective gestures.
– Motivating oneself to overcome nervousness and step outside one’s comfort zone.
Following the seminar, participants were encouraged to actively engage in discussions with the PKM team and practice their public speaking skills. Students were assigned to present topics they were passionate about in front of the class while applying the techniques introduced during the seminar. After each presentation, the PKM team provided evaluations and feedback on the students’ performances. The evaluation process was intended to offer constructive input while simultaneously encouraging students to strengthen their self-confidence in public speaking.
Figure 2. Presentation of Materials and Training Activities
(Source: PKM Team)
Results Achieved After the Public Speaking Seminar and Training
The difference between students’ conditions before and after the training was significant. Prior to the program, students tended to be passive and lacked confidence. During the training, however, participants actively engaged in discussions and enthusiastically practiced the public speaking techniques they had learned.. Students who had previously felt uncomfortable speaking in public began to demonstrate greater confidence in expressing their ideas. The improvement in public speaking abilities observed after the training represents a valuable skill that, if continuously practiced and developed, can support students’ future success in both academic pursuits and social life.
Volume 5 | No. 3 || Editor: Frangky Selamat
Authors:
Riris Loisa | Lecturer, Faculty of Communication Sciences, Universitas Tarumanagara
Jonathan Aldo Iskandar | Student, Faculty of Communication Sciences, Universitas Tarumanagara
Jessica Simeona | Student, Faculty of Communication Sciences, Universitas Tarumanagara
Ferix Janriadi | Student, Faculty of Communication Sciences, Universitas Tarumanagara
Patrick Gabriel | Student, Faculty of Communication Sciences, Universitas Tarumanagara
Arcelia Emmanuella Adiwinata | Student, Faculty of Communication Sciences, Universitas Tarumanagara