When it comes to polls identifying our biggest fears, public speaking often tops these lists. According to an article published by The Washington Post, more than 25% of surveyed Americans fear public speaking, making it the number one fear of all Americans (see the article titled America’s Top Fears: Public Speaking, Heights, and Mistakes, published by the Washington Post on October 30, 2014). Giving a speech in public is scarier than heights, insects, snakes, and drowning!
One way to mitigate this fear of public speaking is to play public speaking games! These games encourage people to stand up and speak, without fear of embarrassment or judgment.
Here are 3 classic public speaking games that you can play with your family and friends.
Game No. # 1: the story behind the article
Prepare an initial list of events or things.
For example: a postage stamp, birthday cake, books, zebra stripes, a fireplace, the tooth fairy, common sayings such as’ a penny for your thoughts’, ‘a red rag for a bull’, ‘a pinch and a punch for the first of the month ‘,
April Fools Day, a wheel, a Christmas tree, an ice cream, a ladder, Santa Claus, May Day, a mermaid, a handshake when meeting someone …
Each speaker should give an account of the story or the story behind the thing or event. It doesn’t have to be factual! The goal of this public speaking game is to cultivate credible fluency and improvised speaking skills.
Game No. 2: Talk about this phrase
Prepare a list of phrases.
For example: ‘Just do it’, ‘Diamonds are forever’, ‘It fell into the water’, ‘Some like the heat’, ‘Their bark is worse than their bite’, ‘Love makes the world go round ‘,’ An apple a day keeps the doctor away ‘,’ First, better dressed ‘,’ King for a day ‘,’ Fun money ‘,’ Laughter is the best medicine ‘…
Each speaker should talk about the phrase that has been given. Set a time limit, for example 2 minutes per speech attempt. The purpose of this game is to cultivate creativity and improvised speaking skills.
Game # 3: Find the lie
This game encourages imagination, fluidity, and fun. By playing it, your group will also learn about body language! How do you know when someone is lying? How can you know?
Each speaker should share 3 things about himself on a topic that he establishes.
Subject examples: vacations, the future, my favorite extracurricular activities, when I was young, my beliefs, the best books I have read, the best adventures I have had …, my family …
Two of the things they say about themselves are true. The third is not.
When they have finished talking, ask the class to identify the lie.
P.S. This is a great icebreaker for groups meeting for the first time.
Conclution
There you have it, three amazing games that you can use right away during your next gathering with friends or family. If you are a teacher, you can use these games to promote new opportunities for your students to speak in class or share a story. The bottom line is to create as many opportunities to speak, in the most fun way possible. Speaking in public doesn’t have to be scary and intimidating.
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