Course: Introduction to Speech Communication (SPCH 1311)
Lesson Focus: Public Speaking, Overcoming Speech Anxiety, Verbal Communication
Duration: 2 Class Periods (50 minutes each)
Textbook Chapters: Chapter 9: Preparing a Speech, Chapter 10: Delivering a Speech
TEKS for Professional Communication: §130.99. Professional Communication TEKS
- (1) The student demonstrates professional standards/employability skills.
- (2) The student applies oral and written communication skills.
- (3) The student demonstrates effective public speaking and group communication skills.
Objectives:
- Students will learn to recognize and apply strategies for overcoming speech anxiety.
- Students will understand the role of verbal communication in public speaking, including delivery techniques such as tone, pitch, and pace.
- Students will analyze how personal growth can influence public speaking skills.
- Students will demonstrate their ability to prepare and deliver a speech by applying the techniques discussed in the film and textbook.
Materials:
- Film: The King’s Speech (2010)
- Textbook: Communication in the Real World (Chapters 9 & 10)
- Handouts on speech anxiety techniques and public speaking delivery
- TEA TEKS alignment reference sheet
Day 1: Film Screening and Discussion (50 Minutes)
Introduction (10 minutes):
- Begin with a brief discussion on speech anxiety and verbal communication. Ask students to reflect on personal experiences where they felt nervous about speaking in public.
- Introduce the film: Explain that The King’s Speech illustrates the journey of King George VI as he overcomes speech anxiety to become a confident public speaker and how the film connects to their textbook readings on speech preparation and delivery.
Film Screening (30 minutes):
- Play key scenes from The King’s Speech (especially scenes showing speech therapy sessions and his final speech), focusing on how the protagonist learns to control his anxiety and improve his verbal communication.
- Key Scenes: First therapy session, discussion of fear of speaking, practice exercises, final speech.
Guided Discussion (10 minutes):
- Ask students to identify moments in the film where King George VI’s anxiety is evident and the techniques used by his speech therapist to overcome it.
- Lead a discussion on how the film illustrates key concepts from Chapters 9 and 10:
- What strategies did King George VI use to manage his anxiety?
- How did his confidence grow, and how did it affect his speech delivery?
- How do these strategies compare to what is outlined in Chapter 9 about preparing a speech?
Homework:
- Reading: Ask students to review Chapters 9 and 10 of their textbook, focusing on strategies for preparing and delivering speeches.
- Reflection: Have students write a one-page reflection on the film, focusing on a particular technique for overcoming speech anxiety and how it can be applied to their own experience.
Day 2: Applying Concepts and Public Speaking Activity (50 Minutes)
Introduction and Recap (10 minutes):
- Recap key points from the previous day’s film screening and discussion.
- Review textbook content from Chapter 9 (Preparing a Speech) and Chapter 10 (Delivering a Speech), focusing on practical strategies for effective public speaking and anxiety management.
Speech Anxiety Techniques Workshop (15 minutes):
- Distribute handouts on techniques for managing speech anxiety (e.g., deep breathing, visualization, preparation tips).
- Conduct a brief anxiety-reducing activity such as controlled breathing or visualization.
- Discuss the importance of preparing both mentally and physically before delivering a speech, tying it to the techniques used by King George VI in the film.
Practice Speeches (20 minutes):
- Assign a short speech: Have students prepare and deliver a 1-minute impromptu speech on a topic of their choice, incorporating techniques for managing anxiety discussed in the previous lesson and in the film.
- Criteria: Encourage students to focus on verbal communication techniques such as tone, pitch, and pace, and to apply anxiety management strategies.
- Peer Feedback: After each speech, peers will provide positive and constructive feedback, focusing on how the speaker overcame anxiety and their use of verbal communication techniques.
Conclusion and Wrap-Up (5 minutes):
- Summarize the key concepts learned from the film and textbook, focusing on how preparation and delivery are critical to overcoming public speaking challenges.
- Ask students to reflect on their performance and consider areas for improvement in future public speaking assignments.
Assessment:
- Formative: Reflection on The King’s Speech and how speech anxiety is portrayed and overcome.
- Summative: 1-minute impromptu speech graded on delivery, application of anxiety-reducing techniques, and verbal communication as per the TEKS and textbook guidelines.
TEA TEKS Alignment:
- §130.99(c)(1): Students apply professional standards and demonstrate communication skills in a structured setting (public speaking).
- §130.99(c)(2): Students analyze and use verbal and nonverbal communication in public speaking activities.
- §130.99(c)(3): Students demonstrate preparation and delivery techniques in a public speaking context, focusing on overcoming challenges such as speech anxiety.
References:
- Textbook: Communication in the Real World (Chapters 9 & 10)
- TEA TEKS: §130.99. Professional Communication
- Film: The King’s Speech (2010)
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