238. Freedom or Fear

Fear is an emotion deeply connected to our survival instinct. It keeps us alive in the face of danger—it is natural to feel scared when confronted with a bear in the woods, when swimming against massive ocean waves, or when a hurricane is approaching. In these moments, fear sharpens our senses and prepares us to act.

But fear is not only a survival tool. It is also one of the most powerful tools of control.

Politicians use fear to control voters’ decisions and behaviour, painting pictures of threats and dangers that they claim only they can prevent.

Advertisers use fear in campaigns to control buying decisions—“without this product, you will not be safe, attractive, or successful.”

Parents sometimes use fear to control their children’s behaviour—threatening punishment, rejection, or shame.

Sadly, fear shows up in our closest relationships. My most recent example: just yesterday, a woman who claimed to be my friend told me that if I did not stop questioning her opinion, I would lose her as a friend. Her message wasn’t about dialogue—it was about control. It was an attempt to use fear of loss to silence me. I immediately blocked her because I cannot stand when others attempt to dominate me.

The problem for most people is that they trust others more than themselves. Whilst the best defence against manipulation is self-trust.

How can we develop self-trust? Here is the answer:

  • Questioning: Who is the beneficiary? What’s in it for me?

  • Reflecting:

  • Standing firm in our values

So what can we do when fear is used against us? Here are some practices:

  1. Notice the Threat Behind the Words

  2. Pause Before Reacting

  3. Separate real risk from imagined risk

Red Flags

A healthy choice comes from clarity, not coercion. If you feel cornered, silenced, shamed or “guilted” into action, it is most likely a manipulation by fear.

Fear should protect our lives, not control our choices. When we learn to recognise the difference, we reclaim our freedom.

237. Hips Don't Lie

The phrase “hips don’t lie” ultimately points us back to authenticity.

People can force a smile.

They can rehearse their lines.

But their bodies will always reveal the truth.

Why? Because the body is directly linked to the subconscious mind. While the conscious mind carefully edits speech and expression, the subconscious leaks out through posture, breath, gestures, and movement.

The hips, the shoulders, the eyes—they all carry traces of emotions we may not even be aware of. Stress, fear, attraction, joy, insecurity—these states live in the body long before they reach the tongue.

That is why the body is our most honest storyteller. It whispers the truths the conscious mind tries to hide, revealing what is really happening beneath the surface.

That’s why, when we try to understand people’s true attitudes, we should listen not only to their words but to their bodies.

A body speaks softly but honestly. The way someone sits, the way they breathe, the way they look at you or linger—all of these gestures are quiet confessions of the soul.

Ask yourself gently: What does their body tell me? And just as important - what does my own body say in response?

Sometimes, before our mind has time to form a thought, our body already knows. We feel comfort or unease, warmth or distance. This is not a coincidence—it is our subconscious, the deep language of connection that exists beneath words.

When we learn to notice this silent dialogue—between their body and ours—we enter into a more authentic way of relating. We begin to see that truth is not only spoken; it is carried in the rhythm of movement, in the breath between words, in the subtle dance of presence.

The body never lies—it simply speaks the truths the heart already knows.

236. The Greatest Love of All

Have you ever caught yourself feeling:

  • Happy when someone you like texts you, and sad when you do not hear from them for a while

  • Proud that someone praised you, and small when someone criticised you

  • Down when it's raining, cold and windy, and high when the sun is shining, there is no wind, and it is warm?

I certainly did.... thankfully in the past. In each of these moments, I gave away my power. I allowed other people and external forces to decide how I felt.

Then I realised that it would be better to decide by myself and for myself how I feel.

  • This is true freedom

  • This is true happiness

  • This is true power

There are millions of ways in which I can make myself happy and high, why would I ever rely on others??? For example, I can strike up a conversation with ten people a day. Not only do I collect insights for my marketing research, but I also spark joy (and maybe even a little flirtation).

And .....if it's cold and windy, I can create my own sunshine and sit in front of the fireplace with a hot cup of tea.

Happiness begins within. Loving myself means choosing what makes me stronger every day. Since we spend most of our lives in our own minds, why not make that space a happy one?

And when life throws something unexpected my way, I pause and ask myself:

  • Does this feeling make me stronger?

  • If not, how can I turn it around?

  • What benefit or lesson can I draw from it?

This simple shift keeps me grounded, resilient, and free.

235. The Power of Three

Have you noticed how often the power of three shows up in our daily lives? A good meal consists of a starter, a main course, and a dessert. A good day includes work, rest, and play.

Take my belly dancing class today. It felt amazing because it had:

1️⃣ A nice warm-up

2️⃣ A well-paced rehearsal of our routine for the upcoming show

3️⃣ A wonderfully relaxing stretch to finish

The same principle applies to public speaking. A strong speech always has:

1️⃣ An engaging introduction

2️⃣ An interesting main part

3️⃣ A memorable conclusion

And yes, even in elocution lessons, the pattern holds true:

1️⃣ Warm-up muscular exercises

2️⃣ Practising a sound or speech pattern

3️⃣ A fun verse or rhyme exercise at the end

Why does this work? Because our brains love structure. Three feels complete, balanced, and easy to remember. If you’d like to apply the power of three to your own speech and communication, you can explore my apps:

Now, I’d love to hear from you. What’s an example of the power of three in your own life? Share it in the comments—I can’t wait to read your ideas

234. Our Body is the Living Shade of our Soul

Our bodies are not just flesh and bone. They are the living shade of our souls, silently reflecting our inner world in every gesture, every breath, and every sound we make. Long before words, it is the body that speaks.

The eyes reveal the truth most quickly. They shine with joy, cloud with sadness, sparkle with love, and harden with anger. Even when our lips remain sealed, the eyes confess what the soul feels.

The shoulders tell another story. When weighed down by worry, they slump forward. When lifted by pride or freedom, they rise and open. The shoulders don’t just carry physical loads — they carry invisible emotional weight.

The breath is perhaps the most faithful companion of the soul. It races when we are anxious, becomes shallow when we are afraid, and flows deeply and slowly when we are calm. Breath is the rhythm of our inner life, always honest, always present.

The voice is the sound of the soul. It trembles with fear, steadies with confidence, warms with love, and sharpens with impatience. Every tone, every inflection, is a trace of our emotional truth.

The hands extend the soul outward. They clench in anger, tremble in fear, caress in tenderness, and open in generosity. Through the hands, the soul touches the world.

The skin acts as a canvas of the soul’s emotions. It blushes with embarrassment, pales with shock, and glows with happiness. Without words, it betrays what is stirring within us.

The posture writes a silent biography of the present moment. Bent in defeat, straight in confidence, restless in worry, relaxed in peace — posture shows what the soul is carrying.

Even the gait - the way we walk - reveals our state of being. Heavy, dragging steps often signal sorrow or fatigue, while light, springing strides announce joy and freedom.

And then, of course, the smile. A true smile radiates from the soul, lifting not only the lips but the entire face and body. A forced smile, however, exposes the fracture between body and soul.

Our bodies, in all these ways, are not separate from the soul but its living expression. To listen to the body is to listen to the soul itself. To care for the body is to honour the soul it shades.

So the next time you notice your shoulders tightening, your voice trembling, or your breath quickening -  pause. Ask not just what is happening to my body? What is my soul trying to tell me?

Because the body is always speaking, the question is: are we listening?

232. Overcoming the Fear of Speaking English in Public

Speaking English in public can feel intimidating, even for people who have studied the language for years. The fear of making mistakes, being misunderstood, or sounding “different” is common—but the good news is that it can be managed and overcome with the right mindset and practical techniques.

Why We Fear Public Speaking in English

There are several reasons why speaking English in front of others can feel scary:

1. Fear of Mistakes
Worrying about mispronunciation or grammar errors can make you hesitant to speak at all.

2. Lack of Confidence
Not being sure about your vocabulary or fluency can make public speaking stressful.

3. High Expectations
Many people compare themselves to native speakers and feel pressure to “sound perfect.”

Understanding the cause of your fear is the first step to addressing it.

Practical Steps to Build Confidence

Here are some strategies that can help you speak more confidently in English, whether in meetings, presentations, or social situations:

1. Start Small
Practice speaking English in low-pressure situations—like ordering a meal, speaking with friends, or reading out loud at home. Small wins help build confidence gradually.

2. Focus on Clarity, Not Perfection
Instead of worrying about sounding like a native speaker, aim to be clear and understandable. Your audience values clarity more than perfect pronunciation.

3. Use Pauses Effectively
Pausing after each idea gives you time to think and reduces nervousness. Practising Power, Pitch, Pace, Pause (4Ps) can make your speech more natural and easier to follow.

4. Record and Listen to Yourself
Recording your voice and listening back allows you to notice your strengths and areas for improvement. Apps like Get Rid of Your Accent or Fluent English Speech provide guided exercises for intonation, articulation, and fluency, making this process easier.

5. Practice Public Speaking Gradually
Start with a small audience, then gradually increase the number of listeners. Toastmasters, online language meetups, or even speaking to family members can help you practice in a supportive environment.

Mindset Matters
Remember, everyone makes mistakes, even native speakers. Mistakes are part of the learning process and do not define your ability to communicate effectively. Celebrate your uniqnes and your progress, no matter how small, and be patient with yourself.

Final Thought
Overcoming the fear of speaking English in public takes practice, patience, and perseverance. Start small, focus on clarity, and gradually challenge yourself. With consistent effort, you’ll progress and feel proud of your progress.

Useful Tip
Incorporate a few minutes of daily practice with guided exercises from apps like Get Rid of Your Accent or Fluent English Speech—you’ll be amazed at how quickly your confidence grows.

More on www.batcsglobal.com

231. Get Rid of Russian Accent

This app is designed especially for Russian speakers who want to reduce their accent and speak clear, confident English. Based on the bestselling series Get Rid of Your Accent, it combines proven elocution lessons with step-by-step practice. All speech organ positions are translated into Russian, making it easy for learners to master English sounds and correct pronunciation quickly.

Why It Works

Trusted by actors, diplomats, teachers, and business professionals, this accent app helps you:

  1. Understand how each English sound is formed with Russian explanations

  2. Practise pronunciation, articulation and intonation

  3. Master all sounds of Received Pronunciation (RP) – also called Queen’s English, Oxford English, or BBC English

  4. Improve fluency for public speaking and everyday conversation

App Content

  • 48 lessons with words, phrases, short sentences, verses, and articulation drills, tongue twisters, rhythmic exercises, and passages

  • Audio recordings of native English speakers for accurate English pronunciation

Functionality

  1. Listen & Repeat– copy pronunciation, liaisons, and intonation

  2. Record & Compare – hear your voice and track your progress

With regular practice, you will:

• Neutralise your Russian accent within 1–3 months

• Speak English that is clear and easy to understand

• Gain confidence for teaching, studying, or working internationally

• Sound professional and fluent in English communication

Meet the Authors

Linda James (RAM, Dip. Ed., IPD, LRAM), Speech and Drama coach, trained at the Royal Academy of Music, with 20+ years of experience teaching RP and accent reduction in London drama schools, films, and TV.

Olga Smith (BA Linguistics, MBA), Linguist, public speaker, and co-author of the best-selling *Get Rid of Your Accent book series. Having overcome her own strong Russian accent, Olga brings practical expertise to learners worldwide.

Visit www.batcsglobal.com to book a professional speech analysis.

228. Fluent American Speech App

Based on the international bestseller Get Rid of Your Accent Part One and Two, General American Accent Training Manual, ISBN 9780955330087, this app helps you reduce your accent, perfect your American English pronunciation, and speak fluently with confidence.

With practical elocution lessons and vocal techniques, Fluent American Speech explains the rules of difficult American speech patterns, intonation, and sentence stress. Step by step, you’ll learn how to neutralise your accent and achieve a clear, natural speaking style.

App Content

  • Contractions for natural fluency

  • Liaisons for smooth connections between words

  • Strong and weak forms for authentic speech

  • Intonation and sentence stress for clarity and impact

  • Difficult word endings & silent letters with guided practice

Functionality
1. Native model audio tracks
2. Listen & repeat training
3. Record your voice
4. Compare pronunciation instantly

What You’ll Gain:

1. A fluent American accent in just 1–3 months of practice

2. Confidence in social and professional English speech as well as in public speaking

3. Improved job prospects, education, and social interactions

4. A professional voice that sounds natural, clear, and persuasive

Whether you want to get rid of your accent, prepare for public speaking, or simply improve your fluency in English, this accent app works like a personal coach in your pocket.

Start your journey to perfect American English pronunciation and fluency today and watch your career and social life blossom!

225. Fluent English Speech App

The follow-up to the bestselling Get Rid of Your Accent UK1 app. Designed for learners who want to speak English fluently, clearly, and confidently—just like a native speaker.

App Contents
Part 1: Master difficult speech patterns — word endings, consonant clusters, schwa, strong & weak forms.
Part 2: Connected speech — learn to speak in natural phrases instead of separate words.
Part 3: Improve intonation, sentence stress & rhythm — make your speech smooth, clear, and engaging.

Functionality
1. Native model audio tracks
2. Listen & repeat training
3. Record your voice
4. Compare pronunciation instantly

With this app, you will:

  • Develop English fluency and natural flow

  • Improve pronunciation, intonation & rhythm

  • Learn idioms & colloquial expressions to sound authentic

  • Reduce your foreign accent and speak with confidence

  • Boost career opportunities and personal impact through clear communication

    Meet the Authors

    Linda James (RAM, Dip. Ed., IPD, LRAM), Speech and Drama coach, trained at the Royal Academy of Music, with 20+ years of experience teaching RP and accent reduction in London drama schools, films, and TV.

    Olga Smith (BA Linguistics, MBA), Linguist, public speaker, and co-author of the best-selling *Get Rid of Your Accent book series. Having overcome her own strong Russian accent, Olga brings practical expertise to learners worldwide.

    Visit www.batcsglobal.com to book a professional speech analysis.

219. How to Reduce Your Accent in 3 Months or Less

Why Accent Reduction Can Be a Game-Changer

If you speak English as a second language, you might have noticed that sometimes people ask you to repeat yourself — not because your ideas aren’t good, but because your words aren’t clear. In professional settings, this can be frustrating and even limit your opportunities.

The good news? You don’t need years of training to make a noticeable difference. With the right tools and consistent practice, you can reduce your accent and speak English clearly in as little as three months.

Step 1: Understand How Accent Reduction Works

Accent reduction isn’t about erasing your identity — it’s about making your speech easier to understand. This means:

·        Correct pronunciation of English sounds

·        Clear word stress and intonation

·        Proper pace, pauses, and projection

Step 2: Use a Structured Accent Training Program

Random YouTube videos can help, but a structured accent reduction app like Get Rid of Your Accent gives you:

·        Step-by-step lessons for all English sounds

·        Audio models from native speakers

·        Record & compare tools to track progress

Step 3: Practice Daily for 15–20 Minutes

Just like going to the gym, you’ll see results if you train regularly. Focus on:

1. Repeating words, sentences and verses after the model

2. Recording yourself and spotting mistakes

3. Practising fluency in social phrases

Step 4: Apply Your New Skills in Real Conversations

Start using your improved pronunciation in meetings, networking events, or even casual chats with friends. The more you speak, the faster you’ll internalise your new habits.

 The Bottom Line

A heavy accent doesn’t have to hold you back. With consistent practice and the right guidance, you can sound clearer, more confident, and more professional — in just three months.

Start your transformation today with the Get Rid of Your Accent app — your personal accent reduction coach, right in your pocket.

218. The Role of Voice and Accent in Job Interviews

When it comes to landing your dream job, most people focus on polishing their résumé, practising common interview questions, and researching the company. But there’s another factor that plays a huge role in how you’re perceived — your voice and accent.

In a job interview, your words matter — but how you say them can matter even more.

 Why Your Voice Matters

Your voice is more than just a tool for communication — it’s part of your personal brand. The tone, pace, and clarity of your speech can instantly influence whether you come across as confident, competent, and trustworthy.

Here’s what interviewers often pick up on: 

1. Clarity – Clear speech signals professionalism and attention to detail.

2. Confidence – A steady, well-projected voice makes you sound self-assured.

3. Energy – A lively tone helps you sound engaged and interested in the role.

A nervous, rushed, or monotone delivery can unintentionally send the wrong message — even if your answers are perfect.

 Accent and First Impressions

In today’s global job market, accents are normal — but they can still affect comprehension. If an interviewer struggles to understand you, they might (consciously or unconsciously) question your ability to communicate effectively with clients, colleagues, or stakeholders.

This doesn’t mean you need to erase your accent entirely. But reducing a heavy accent and improving pronunciation can make your speech easier to follow, helping you connect with your interviewer and keep their focus on your skills and ideas — not on deciphering your words.

Key Skills to Improve Before Your Interview

If you want to make a strong vocal impression, focus on these areas: 

1. Pronunciation – Aim for crisp, accurate sounds, especially for common industry terms.

2. Pace – Slow enough to be clear, but not so slow that you lose momentum.

3. Pausing – Use pauses to emphasize key points and give the interviewer time to process.

4. Intonation – Add variety to your pitch to sound natural and engaging.

5. Volume & Projection – Speak loudly enough to be heard without sounding aggressive.

How to Train Your Voice for Interview Success 

Improving your voice and accent doesn’t have to take years — with targeted practice, you can make noticeable changes in just weeks.

Get Rid of Your Accent for Business app provides: 

Audio models of clear, neutral English speech.

Step-by-step lessons to improve pronunciation and intonation.

Record & compare tools to track your progress.

Practice materials based on real-world speaking situations, including interviews.

By training your ear, practising key sounds, and mastering vocal techniques, you can walk into your interview sounding confident, professional, and easy to understand.

Your qualifications get you in the door, but your communication skills can seal the deal. A clear, confident voice helps interviewers focus on you — your ideas, your expertise, and your potential. 

Ready to sound your best in your next interview?

Start training today with the Get Rid of Your Accent for Business app — your personal voice coach, right in your pocket.

217. The Ingredients of Boring Speech

Have you ever sat through a talk where you just couldn’t keep your eyes open? I have — and usually, it’s not because the topic was boring. It’s how the speaker delivered it.

 As a member of a public speaking club, I’ve noticed that many people don’t realize how dull their speech sounds to others. They’re not trying to be boring — it just happens.

Here are 6 reasons why a speech might put people to sleep:

 1. Monotonous tone

Speaking in a flat, unchanging voice that makes listeners zone out.

 2. Speaking too fast

Rushing through your points so quickly that no one can keep up.

 3. Long, complicated sentences

By the time you finish, the audience has already forgotten what you said at the start.

 4. Lack of emphasis

Failing to stress the important words that give meaning and energy to your message.

 5. No pauses

Skipping breaks between ideas, so listeners don’t get a chance to absorb what you’re saying.

 6. Using jargon or heavy accent

Speaking in a way that’s hard to understand because of technical terms or pronunciation.

 The good news? These are all fixable.

 With the right practice and tools, you can transform your speaking style and engage your audience — often in just a few weeks. There’s even an app designed to be your personal voice coach, helping you with everything from pacing to pronunciation:

Ready to make your next speech interesting and memorable? It’s easier than you think!

216. Disadvantages of poor voice projection

Have you ever felt invisible? You said something, and there was no reaction. You felt that what you said was not interesting enough to pay attention to. Most likely, people did not hear what you said.

The reason is poor voice projection. The power of our voice depends on breathing and lung capacity. Actors do regular exercises to master voice projection.

When your voice has power:

  • You appear and feel confident

  • You make it easier for people to follow you

  • People will be more likely to be persuaded that what you are saying is important

To master voice projection, I recommend 5 minutes of daily exercises from the app Power, Pitch, Pace, Pause. These exercises are easy yet very effective. You will see the results in a week.

More tips on www.batcsglobal.com

210. How to deal with condescending people in professional settings

Deal with people who challenge you immediately. Challenge them by saying, for example, I find your tone condescending, and I am not prepared to continue this way.

This way, you will protect yourself and help the bully stop. Bullies, when not stopped, go into a rush and get high on the domination drug.

Work on your confidence. Develop a straight posture, open body language and good eye contact. Master your speech, namely, voice projection and articulation. Speak with authority and power in your voice, and you will be perceived as a confident person. You can master it with the apps Business English Speech and 4Ps, Power, Pitch, Pace, Pause.

If you look and sound confident, people will not attempt to condescend to you. Bullies usually attack those who lack confidence and who are too shy to reply to them.

Click the link below for tips and free content:
www.batcsglobal.com

208. Earn Respect

The ability to own the respect of others is connected to our survival instinct. By and large, people respect us if they can rely on us, trust us, and see that we are useful to them.

I like observing people’s behaviour and reactions. I want to share with you my observations on the topic of respect.

People respect us unconsciously if we possess the following qualities:

1. Straight back and good posture - a sign of physical and spiritual strength
2. Confident eye contact and open gestures. These non-verbal clues signify openness and honesty. People who lie and lack confidence often cannot look straight in the eyes
3. Decent clothes and shoes, groomed appearance. This is the sign of high self-esteem
4. Good, clear speech. It is essential for easy communication. We maintain a friendly intonation that shows a positive attitude
5. Ability to keep a pause and talk to the point. This adds gravitas and weight to our words
6. Measured pace and relaxed way of doing things. When we are relaxed, others feel relaxed too
7. When we are grateful for what is offered to us and respect other people's space and time rather than beg, ask or push for more
8. Ability to listen to others.
9. Honour commitments
10. Respect the values of the society in which we operate
11. Respect people’s privacy

My findings revealed that people do not respect those who (despite their achievements):

1. Talk too much and do very little
2. Neither try to understand nor respect the values of the society in which they operate
3. Have a scruffy and ungroomed look that causes an emotion of disgust
4. Rush themselves and others, thus creating unnecessary stress that increases cortisol levels and damages health
5. Constantly ask for favours, try to take advantage of other people's time, space and resources
6. Rushed, unclear, badly articulated speech; intonation that transmits a toxic negative attitude
7. Make silly jokes
8. Waste their own and other people’s time
9. Do not keep their promise and overpromise
10. Have bad posture and a very hunched back
11. TMI - Give too much information about themselves and others, particularly private and sensitive information. Invade their privacy with inappropriate questions

We can conclude that to be respected, we do not have to earn millions, have a PhD or win a gold medal in the Olympics. To earn respect, we should think of the ways we can be useful and master the necessary attributes and skills that facilitate it. We should also exercise a degree of self-control. Whether we start a new job or join a new social group, often our survival in this group depends on whether we can earn their respect.

Let me bring an example from my life. When I had a strong foreign accent, people looked down on me, and my native intonation sounded a bit aggressive in English culture. These facts hindered my success. When I mastered my speech and intonation, I began to feel respected and even admired.
You can master your speech with the apps:
Elocution Lessons, Get Rid of your Accent, American Accent App, Fluent English Speech, Fluent American Speech, Business English Speech, and 4Ps, Power, Pitch, Pace, Pause.

More on www.batcsglobal.com

207. 6 Rules of Decision Making

Decision-making is one of the most important skills we should master. Our well-being, prosperity, and happiness depend on this skill.

I have developed a set of rules that help me make good decisions.

Rule N1
Do not make a decision when you feel physically and emotionally weak.

Rule N2
Make sure that your body does not reject your decision. Control your brain and do not allow logic and mental powers to override your body and soul. Very often, mind-based decisions backfire because we humans are more complicated than robots, and our mind lives in our body; therefore, ignoring and neglecting our body and soul cannot lead to good decisions

Rule N3
Conduct a pros and cons analysis.

Rule N4
Control your brain and do not allow logic and mental powers to override your body and soul. Very often, mind-based decisions backfire because humans are more complicated than robots, and our mind lives in our body; therefore, ignoring and neglecting our body and soul cannot lead to good decisions.

Rule N5
Do not make decisions purely on your emotions. Emotions are not long-lasting, but decisions you make because of them can be. For example, I felt the urge to buy a beautiful and expensive bag, but if I cannot afford it, it can lead to frustration

Rule N6
Allow time to make a decision, but at the same time, set up a deadline by which you can take it to avoid rushed decisions and indecisiveness.

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204. How to create a promo video

Essential criteria

  1. The length of a promo video is 30-90 seconds. It is short and sweet.

  2. Its purpose is to showcase your product or service in a way that attracts and motivates your target audience to buy it.

  3. Conduct market research and identify your target audience's demographics, motivations and pain points

  4. Make sure your visual elements and graphics reflect your company's values and please your target audience

Content creation

  1. Define your core messages.
    For example:
    - what is my product/service
    - where you can buy and use it
    - what is the competitive advantage or unique benefit of your product/service for yout customers

  2. Identify call for action (CFA)

  3. Use story telling technique

  4. Use short words/verbs

  5. Avoid convoluted language, complex terminology and jargon

  6. Ensure your content sounds natural and conversational

Promo video delivery

  1. Record your video several times and ensure good speech articulation and compelling intonation. You can master these skills with the apps ‎Elocution Lessons, Get Rid of your Accent UK1, ‎Business English Speech and ‎Fluent English Speech

  2. Use pauses and modulate your voice. Download the app and Power, Pitch, Pace, Pause to practise these powerful techniques.

More on www.batcsglobal.com

203. Impromptu speech

Impromptu speech or a table topic is a skill that requires practice. However, there are techniques to make your table topic stand out and give you confidence when delivering it.

Below are my tips.

1.       Allow yourself time to think what you will say while walking to the podium, and slowly repeat the topic. Prepare what you are going to say in your head

2.       Remember, how you say it is often more important than what you say. Modulate your voice, use pauses and articulate well. You can master these skills with the apps ‎Power, Pitch, Pace, Pause, ‎Fluent English Speech and ‎Get Rid of your Accent UK1.
For example, use a dramatic pause before saying something important and say it very loudly. This will wake up your audience.

3.       If you struggle to answer the question of your table topic, you can simply dismiss it and talk about what you want, but make it interesting. I recently received a boring table topic and instead I recited my favourite poem. I won the award for the best table topic.

4.       Smile and create zigzag eye contact with your audience

5.       Keep straight posture and use open body language to create an image of a confident person

6.       Breathe, use lots of pauses to separate your ideas.

7.       Enjoy speaking and do not rush yourself to finish it too early (speak for at least one minute), at the same time be aware of the allocated time (maximum of 2 minutes) and prepare a powerful ending.

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189. Secrets of Successful Self-Presentation

Self-presentation is a skill that can make or break your social and professional success. In this article, I will outline some mistakes and give useful tips in this area.

Self-presentation is presenting oneself to others; others here are more important than self. Many people make a mistake by starting their self-presentation by listing their achievements, accomplishments and rewards rather than what benefits they can bring to the people they present to. For example, instead of saying “I hold a Toastmaster bronze reward”, you can say “I am a keen presenter as I have 15 years of experience in public speaking and would love to step in to present to customers and partners”. The statistics show that most people shy away from presenting, which can make you a valuable asset for a team where presentation skills are needed.

The second mistake is too much information. Avoid too many personal details that are of little interest to others such as what your mother does or what is your favourite beach. Just say things that are relevant to the situation you are in and focus on the purpose of your self-presentation.

The third area I want to talk about is speech and voice. If your speech is difficult to understand and/or your voice is unpleasant this can be a problem. The good news is you can fix it. Read about techniques to master speech and voice in my articles. Here I just want to mention the main mistakes: mumbling, speaking with a half-closed mouth, hesitating and using filler words such as “eehm, aaahm, like, basically, you know,” etc.

What can you do to make your self-[presentation successful? I recommend the SUS approach for the content:
Simple, Useful, with an element of Surprise.

Use short simple words, make it useful for others and add something unique about yourself that might surprise others. For example, if you are an elegant lady people might be surprised that you ride a high-speed motorbike.

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