Students can work on their speaking skills for different reasons by practicing in different situations. The National Center for Education Statistics tells us that good communication skills can help you get 65% of job opportunities these days.

Understanding Different Speaking Situations:

1. Public Speaking:

   • It's important to be clear and to use the right tone.
   • You should also connect with your audience.
   • Try using the “5 P’s”:
     • Purpose (why you're speaking)
     • Preparation (getting ready)
     • Practice (going over your speech)
     • Performance (delivering your speech)
     • Post-performance feedback (getting tips afterward)

2. Informal Conversations:

   • You need to be flexible and really listen.
   • Using a technique called “mirroring,” where you repeat back what others say, can help build a friendly connection.

3. Persuasive Speaking:

   • When trying to convince others, use facts and statistics.
   • For example, know that 75% of good speeches include personal stories to get their point across.

4. Academic Presentations:

   • Use visual helpers (like slides) and have a clear outline.
   • Try to cover all your main points in about 10 to 15 minutes.

Joining activities like debate clubs, speech competitions, or theater can also help students improve these skills. Research shows that being part of these activities can make speaking skills better by 30%.