Monday Motivator #13 2024-25

 

Big, Loud, and Slow: Six Strategies for Better Public Speaking

The first thing I noticed when I woke up on March 1, 2023, was that I wasn’t able to articulate what I wanted to say. It was like the left side of my cheek had fallen asleep, similar to when you sit on one of your legs for too long. This morning was no different from another weekday: Wake up for work, let the dog out, grab some breakfast. 
My wife, Jodi, was also awake when I realized my problem with my speech. “I can’t…talk?” I managed to express. Also noting that I had not slept well that night, she encouraged me to make a doctor’s appointment for the morning. I agreed and started to put in my absence for that morning.
That’s when I realized that my left hand was also not working as it should. My fingertips could not locate the correct key on my laptop. “Jodi, I am not able to type correctly,” I called from the dining room as she moved about in the kitchen, getting breakfast for the kids.
“Okay,” she announced, “we are going to the emergency room, and I will be driving you.” Too tired to resist, I quickly got dressed and we headed to the hospital.
Later that day, I learned that I had suffered a small vessel stroke in the posterior right frontal lobe of my brain. This area of the brain controls movement and language. It impacted my speech and some coordination on the left side of my body, particularly my hand and, to a lesser degree, my leg. This loss of muscle coordination on the left side of my face is referred to as dysarthria, defined as “weakness or paralysis of the speech muscles” and “is characterized by reduced speed and range of movement in articulators” (Source: https://therapyinsights.com/).
Part of my recovery has been speech therapy. My therapist’s mantra throughout our sessions has been to speak big, loud, and slow. 
As I practiced the exercises assigned to me, I realized that these strategies can be applicable to all students in the classroom and to anyone who wants to improve their conversation skills or public speaking. (Note: These strategies come from Therapy Insights as provided to me by my therapist. They are not a replacement for support offered by a speech and language therapist or a medical provider.)

Speaking Big

Speaking big means being expressive and even exaggerating sounds and words when speaking.
“Open your mouth widely for vowel sounds.” Vowels are often in the middle of words, so         they can be more difficult to articulate. I practiced opening my mouth widely while saying     the Pledge of Allegiance during morning announcements over the public address system.
“Lengthen sounds to help make them sound different from others.” During morning                 announcements, I also tell a daily joke. I make a point of enunciating specific sounds to             make them distinctive from others. This is especially helpful for puns, such as “What did         the skeptical cat say? You’ve got to be kitten me right meow!” 

Speaking Loud

I was a quiet speaker before my stroke. I have had to be even more cognizant of this as I strengthen my breath and volume.
“Communicate at the same eye level.” I don’t have to raise my voice when I am speaking directly to a person. Looking in another direction while communicating with someone makes it more difficult for them to hear what I am saying.
“Speak in three- to five-word phrases.” Keeping my messages succinct allows more breath for what I want to say. It also helps with conserving my energy. The more I talk and interact throughout the day, the more tired I become as the day progresses.

Speaking Slowly

When I am misunderstood or asked to repeat something, I am usually speaking too quickly. 
“Use a slower speaking rate.” When we slow down while speaking, we “allow the tongue more time to move to make full speech sound movements.” I’ve applied this strategy when working with a teacher. For example, I have found that a slower speaking rate gives me more time to develop thoughtful questions for reflection around a teacher’s practice.
“Choose different words when repeating or rephrasing yourself.” One way to slow myself down when speaking is to choose longer words when I repeat myself. They can be understood better. For example, I might use precipitation instead of rain.

Four months after my stroke, my speech was around 95% recovered. The /k/ sound can still be difficult to pronounce, so I avoid words that contain it during regular communications. But I also practice that sound when I have the opportunity.
With the prevalence of video and podcast creation, all students should have these opportunities. A curriculum with speaking as a core skill prepares learners for life in the 21st century.
https://choiceliteracy.com/article/big-loud-and-slow-six-strategies-for-better-public-speaking/