• PRO Courses Guides New Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade Sign In
  • EDIT Edit this Article
  • EXPLORE Tech Help Pro About Us Random Article Quizzes Request a New Article Community Dashboard This Or That Game Happiness Hub Popular Categories Arts and Entertainment Artwork Books Movies Computers and Electronics Computers Phone Skills Technology Hacks Health Men's Health Mental Health Women's Health Relationships Dating Love Relationship Issues Hobbies and Crafts Crafts Drawing Games Education & Communication Communication Skills Personal Development Studying Personal Care and Style Fashion Hair Care Personal Hygiene Youth Personal Care School Stuff Dating All Categories Arts and Entertainment Finance and Business Home and Garden Relationship Quizzes Cars & Other Vehicles Food and Entertaining Personal Care and Style Sports and Fitness Computers and Electronics Health Pets and Animals Travel Education & Communication Hobbies and Crafts Philosophy and Religion Work World Family Life Holidays and Traditions Relationships Youth
  • Browse Articles
  • Learn Something New
  • Quizzes Hot
  • Happiness Hub
  • This Or That Game
  • Train Your Brain
  • Explore More
  • Support wikiHow
  • About wikiHow
  • Log in / Sign up
  • Education and Communications
  • Communication Skills
  • Public Speaking

How to Make a Good Speech for School

Last Updated: February 26, 2024 References

This article was co-authored by Patrick Muñoz . Patrick is an internationally recognized Voice & Speech Coach, focusing on public speaking, vocal power, accent and dialects, accent reduction, voiceover, acting and speech therapy. He has worked with clients such as Penelope Cruz, Eva Longoria, and Roselyn Sanchez. He was voted LA's Favorite Voice and Dialect Coach by BACKSTAGE, is the voice and speech coach for Disney and Turner Classic Movies, and is a member of Voice and Speech Trainers Association. There are 12 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 1,272,204 times.

A good speech in school will earn you the admiration of your teachers and peers alike. You probably won't deliver the kind of speech you hear in the movies, but that's a good thing: people will enjoy your original take much more. From getting an idea to conquering stage fright, here are the steps to take if you want to make your final speech a memorable, exciting success.

Sample Speeches

how to speech in english in school

Writing the Speech

Step 1 Choose a topic or theme.

  • If you're not sure which theme to choose, write down or summarize a few stories and statements you could include in your speech. Pick the ones you like best and see if there's a unifying theme to tie them together.
  • See What to Do and What Not to Do for more advice on themes.

Step 2 Pick a tone that makes you comfortable.

  • Don't interrupt one point with a clause, or section set aside by commas or parentheses. Instead of saying "Our tennis and basketball teams, which we all know won the regional championships two years ago, need increased funding to compete," say "Our tennis and basketball teams both won the regional championships two years ago. Now we need to increase their funding to compete with other schools."
  • You can reference your school's slang once or twice to get a laugh, but don't overdo it, especially if there are parents in the audience.

Step 4 Write down original stories and messages.

  • Find a broad message that your whole audience can connect to their own life, but still deals with a specific idea. For instance: "Become an even better version of the hero who inspired you." (But don't steal your "original" idea from this website!)
  • Your stories can be specific incidents in your life or from history, but you should connect them to a more general idea. For instance, you could tell a story about your sibling's hospital visit, then go on to talk about overcoming fear and hardship in general.
  • If you like what you're writing but it doesn't fit the theme you had planned, it's fine to adjust your topic or switch it entirely. Switch back and forth between writing stories and brainstorming a theme if you keep getting stuck.

Step 5 Find a gripping way to begin your speech.

  • Surprise your audience by diving right into a tough story. "When I was ten years old, I lost my father."
  • Make your audience laugh by telling a joke, especially one that everyone in the room will get. "Hello everyone. Let's have a round of applause for the guy who installed air conditioning."
  • Start with a grand, thought-provoking statement. "Our galaxy contains billions of earth-like planets, and we're only just beginning to discover them."
  • Most likely, someone else will introduce you, and many of your classmates know you already. Unless you're asked specifically to introduce yourself, you can get right to the good stuff.

Step 6 Make the theme clear.

  • To use an example from earlier, if your theme is "Become an even better version of the hero who inspired you," you could begin your speech with two or three sentence about your hero, then say "You all have heroes who inspire you, but you don't have to just follow them. You can become even greater than the people you look up to."

Step 7 Move from one idea to the next in a natural order.

  • Include phrases such as "Now I'd like to talk about..." and "But we should also remember..." when moving on to your next idea.

Step 8 End with a memorable statement that captures your speech.

  • Build up to a big ending, then crack a joke to wrap up a funny speech. "And I know when you walk to the ballot box tomorrow, you'll be ready to do the right thing. Protect the interests of yourself and your school by washing your hands afterward. Do you know how many people touch that thing?"
  • If you're giving a commencement speech, leave people feeling excited or awed about the future. This is a big moment and you have the power to help them realize it. "Years from now, you will be the father or mother your kid looks up to. The writer who changes the way we think. The inventor who creates new ways to live. Come up to the stage and start becoming heroes!"

Step 9 Edit and polish it as much as possible.

  • Have a teacher, family member, or trusted friend check it over for grammar mistakes and offer feedback. Spelling isn't as important, since you'll be speaking out loud.

Step 10 Consider visual aids.

  • If your topic involves a lot of numbers, plan to write them on the board so your audience can remember them

Step 11 Turn the speech into note cards, then practice!

  • Your notes are there to remind you what to say next and of important facts. "Move on to bear wrestling story (guy's name is Paul Bunyan)" is the level of detail you need.

Practicing and Delivering the Speech

Step 1 Think about movement and materials.

  • Practice giving your speech in as situation as similar to your actual speech as possible.
  • In general, you should stay fairly still while giving a speech. Small hand gestures and occasionally moving to a new spot are fine, especially if they help you feel and appear confident

Step 2 Practice speaking loudly and clearly.

  • If you speech is too long, you absolutely need to cut some material out of it or shorten the longer stories or ideas. If you're giving a commencement speech, aim for a 10 or 15 minute maximum. An election speech should be no more than a few minutes, and your teacher should be able to tell you the time limit for a class assignment speech.

Step 4 Talk slowly and pause between ideas.

  • If you can't stop rushing, work out how long you should spend on each section and write the number of minutes at the top of each index card or paragraph. Practice near a clock so you can check whether you're on pace.

Step 5 Deliver your speech to a mirror until you can do it without reading.

  • Use slightly different words each time once you have the main ideas down. Try not to get caught up on exact memorization; using a new phrase to communicate the written idea makes your speech sound more natural.

Step 6 Pay attention to other details once you become comfortable with the content.

  • Practice varying your facial expression if your face looks fixed and mechanical.
  • Try to vary the tone of your voice as well. Don't make it sound like you're reciting every word from memory; pretend you're speaking in ordinary conversation.

Step 7 Practice in front of a test audience.

  • Try to make eye contact with different members of your audience throughout the speech. Don't stare at any one person for too long.
  • Resist the temptation to hide by standing near a corner or large object.
  • Don't fidget, tap your foot, or make other nervous gestures. Try slowly walking back and forth across the stage to get rid of your nervous energy.

Step 8 Use their feedback to practice more.

  • Dressing nicely will increase your confidence and gain respect and attention from your audience.

What to Do and What Not to Do

Step 1 Choose an appropriate theme (for an election speech).

  • Memories your class shares and personal memories that many people will connect to, such as your first day at the school.
  • Overcoming obstacles. Talk about how your classmates overcame problems related to academics, finances, and health, and how proud everyone is that they're standing here.
  • The diversity of your classmates and celebrating the rich variety of experiences, personalities, and interests at your school. Describe some of the many ways people will go on to do good in the world.

Step 3 Use techniques to make your speech more memorable.

  • Address your audience directly. Ask them questions to get them thinking, although you shouldn't expect an answer.
  • Use groups of three. The human brain loves repetition, and especially trios. Start three sentences with the same phrase, speaking louder each sentence.
  • Use emotive language. Try to provoke a strong emotional response in your audience, not present a list of facts to them.

Step 4 Thank specific people, but don't go on too long.

  • Don't tell stories that only a few friends will understand. Even references that your whole class will get should be used sparingly if there are parents in the room as well.

Step 6 Avoid clichés.

  • Go change the world!
  • Today is not the last day of your education, but the first.
  • The future belongs to you.
  • If elected, I will be the voice of the students.
  • It's time for change!

Step 7 Don't insult or offend anyone.

  • If you're giving a high school commencement speech, remember that not everyone in your class will be attending college. Don't joke about your education letting you avoid a "bad" profession; chances are good there's a parent who has that job out in the audience.=

Common Questions: Tips for Writing & Rehearsing a Speech

How do you start a speech for school?

Start by introducing yourself and thanking the audience. You can kick off the speech with a relevant “what if” question that gets the audience thinking and expand on it. Or try starting with a strong statement or quote related to your topic, then follow it up with an impactful question to answer in your speech. [14] X Research source

Where do I start when I'm writing a speech?

Start by sitting down and brainstorming to get your creative juices flowing. What is the focus of your speech? Who is your audience? Why is your speech important? Once you have some notes down, start refining your ideas until you get to one main point or theme that you’ll base your speech on. [15] X Research source

What parts should I include in a speech to make it the most effective?

Create a speech that has a clear introduction for your main point or thesis statement. Then, include and expand on 2-3 main points to make up the body of your speech. To conclude, summarize and restate your thesis to include your key points, and then make your closing statement. [16] X Research source

How do I get better at giving a speech I've written?

Read the speech out loud several times to get a feel for it. Record or take video of yourself giving the speech to find any weak spots and adjust anything that feels awkward or choppy. Ask friends or family to watch you rehearse and give you honest feedback. Then, just keep practicing until you've nailed it. [17] X Research source

  • Look at everyone in the audience, not just one person. Thanks Helpful 3 Not Helpful 0
  • Make sure you don't offend or embarrass your audience. Thanks Helpful 3 Not Helpful 0
  • Before you start, pick a spot on the wall to focus on. Throughout the speech, keep looking at that spot after each sentence. This shows to your audience and teacher that you can make eye contact! Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0

how to speech in english in school

Things You'll Need

  • Writing tool
  • Index cards

You Might Also Like

Prepare and Give a Speech

  • ↑ [v161163_b01].12 November 2019.
  • ↑ https://finley-h.schools.nsw.gov.au/content/dam/doe/sws/schools/f/finley-h/localcontent/how_to_write_a_speech.pdf
  • ↑ https://www.toastmasters.org/magazine/articles/for-the-novice-six-simple-steps-to-writing-a-fantastic-speech
  • ↑ https://www.unr.edu/writing-speaking-center/student-resources/writing-speaking-resources/speech-introductions
  • ↑ [v161163_b01]. 12 November 2019.
  • ↑ https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/zv7fqp3/articles/z4w96v4
  • ↑ https://classroom.synonym.com/write-good-speech-school-4859.html
  • ↑ https://www.unr.edu/writing-speaking-center/student-resources/writing-speaking-resources/speech-delivery
  • ↑ https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/how-to-start-off-a-speech
  • ↑ https://open.maricopa.edu/com225/chapter/selecting-a-topic-brainstorming-your-ideas/
  • ↑ https://www.amherst.edu/academiclife/support/writingcenter/public-speaking/resources-for-public-speaking/speech-structure
  • ↑ https://open.maricopa.edu/com225/chapter/practicing-your-speech/

About This Article

Patrick Muñoz

To make a good speech for school, choose a theme or topic to focus your speech on so it's easier to write. When you're writing your speech, stick with simple language so your audience understands and doesn't get bored. Also, try to start your speech with a joke, story, or shocking fact that will immediately grab their attention. Remember to talk directly to your audience by asking rhetorical questions and making references they'll understand. End your speech with something memorable, like an inspirational quote or a call to action. To learn more about how to practice and memorize your speech before you present it, keep reading! Did this summary help you? Yes No

  • Send fan mail to authors

Reader Success Stories

Ruby

Jun 30, 2017

Did this article help you?

how to speech in english in school

Dec 1, 2018

Mariam Abdelaziz

Mariam Abdelaziz

Jul 29, 2020

Hekmatullah Zazai

Hekmatullah Zazai

Mar 21, 2018

Jacob A.

May 24, 2019

Do I Have a Dirty Mind Quiz

Featured Articles

Enjoy Your Preteen Years

Trending Articles

Dungeons & Dragons Name Generator

Watch Articles

Make Fluffy Pancakes

  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Info
  • Not Selling Info

Don’t miss out! Sign up for

wikiHow’s newsletter

how to speech in english in school

  • Bipolar Disorder
  • Therapy Center
  • When To See a Therapist
  • Types of Therapy
  • Best Online Therapy
  • Best Couples Therapy
  • Managing Stress
  • Sleep and Dreaming
  • Understanding Emotions
  • Self-Improvement
  • Healthy Relationships
  • Student Resources
  • Personality Types
  • Sweepstakes
  • Guided Meditations
  • Verywell Mind Insights
  • 2024 Verywell Mind 25
  • Mental Health in the Classroom
  • Editorial Process
  • Meet Our Review Board
  • Crisis Support

16 Public Speaking Tips for Students

It's normal to be nervous—here's how to relax

  • Use Relaxation Strategies

Maintain Perspective

Be confident when speaking.

Public speaking can *really* hard, especially if you struggle with social anxiety or if you don't have a lot of experience talking in front of groups. Research suggests that 61% of university students in the U.S. have a fear of public speaking. Fortunately, many strategies can help you build your confidence and strengthen your public speaking skills.

Public speaking tips for students aim to reduce anxiety that can interfere with giving presentations or speeches in class. These tips aren't just helpful for speaking in front of a big group. If you have social anxiety disorder (SAD) ,  these strategies can also help you feel more comfortable speaking in front of a group or telling a story among friends.

At a Glance

If you have social anxiety and need to give a speech  in elementary school, high school, college, or university, it helps to be as prepared as possible . Beyond preparation, however, there are strategies that you can use to reduce anxiety...without feeling like the urge to fake an illness so you can stay home and skip it.

Practice, preparation, and relaxation strategies are essential for students dealing with anxiety about public speaking. It's also important to maintain perspective; remember, other people get nervous, too! As you practice, you'll start to feel more confident about talking in front of groups, which will help you present your best self with a lot less anxiety.

Practice Your Public Speaking

Even great speakers practice their speeches beforehand. Practice out loud with a recording device or video camera, and then watch yourself to see how you can improve. If you are feeling brave, practice in front of a friend or family member and ask for feedback.

Research has even shown that imaginary practice can be an effective way to combat feelings of public speaking anxiety.

Talk About What You Know

If possible, choose a topic for your speech or presentation that you know a lot about and love. The audience will feel your passion for the topic, and you will feel less anxious knowing that you have a lot of experience to draw from when other students ask you questions.

Talking about things you are knowledgeable about can help you feel more confident and comfortable when you are speaking in public.

Concentrate on Your Message

When you focus on the task at hand, anxiety is less likely to get out of control. Concentrate on the main message of your speech or presentation and make it your goal to deliver that message to the other students in your class.

Grab the Audience's Attention

Most of your fellow classmates will pay attention for at least the first 20 seconds; grab their attention during those early moments. Start with an interesting fact or a story that relates to your topic. Other ways you can generate interest include:

  • Asking rhetorical questions
  • Inspiring emotion
  • Generating curiosity
  • Relating an interesting historical event

Have One Main Message

Focus on one central theme, and your classmates will learn more. Tie different parts of your talk to the main theme to support your overall message. Trying to cover too much ground can leave other students (and you) feeling overwhelmed.

Tell Stories

Stories catch the attention of other students and deliver a message in a more meaningful way than facts and figures. Whenever possible, use a story to illustrate a point in your talk.

Preparation Can Reduce Public Speaking Anxiety

Being prepared to speak in public can also be important if you have social anxiety disorder. Feeling confident and prepared to give your speech may help lessen your feelings of anxiety. Some of the things that you can do to prepare include:

Visit the Room

If you have access to the classroom where you will be speaking outside of class hours, take the time to visit in advance and get used to standing at the front of the room. Make arrangements for any audio-visual equipment and practice standing in the exact spot where you will deliver your speech.

Unfamiliarity can often make social anxiety worse. By making yourself more comfortable with the setting and room where you'll be delivering your speech, you'll feel much more at ease.

Rack Up Experience

Volunteer to speak in front of your class as often as possible. Be the first one to raise your hand when a question is asked. Your confidence will grow with every public speaking experience.

Researchers have found that practicing in a virtual format can also be helpful. You might try out virtual experiences that allow you to practice in front of a supportive audience or invite friends and family to watch you practice your presentation in person or through video conferencing.

Observe Other Speakers

Take the time to watch other speakers who are good at what they do. Practice imitating their style and confidence. Consider attending local events or presentations at your school. Watching TED Talks or speeches on YouTube can also be helpful.

Organize Your Talk

Every speech should have an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. Structure your talk so that the other students know what to expect. Then write it down on notecards and spend time practicing what you will say.

Use Relaxation Strategies to Manage Anxiety

Taking steps to deal with your feelings of anxiety can also make public speaking easier. Fortunately, there are a lot of anxiety-fighting relaxation strategies that can help calm your mind and body.

It's a good idea to practice relaxation strategies before you give your speech. The more you practice them, the better you'll be able to use them when they are needed.

Some other things that you can do:

Tell Someone About Your Anxiety

If you are speaking in front of a high school or college class, meet with your teacher or professor and describe your public speaking fears . If you're in elementary or high school, share your fears with your parents, a teacher, or a guidance counselor.

Sometimes sharing how you feel can make it easier to overcome stage fright.

Visualize Confidence

Visualize yourself confidently delivering your speech, feeling free of anxiety, and engaging the students in your class. Although this may seem like a stretch for you now, visualization is a powerful tool for changing the way you feel.

Elite athletes use this strategy to improve their performance in competitions, and research has shown that it can be a helpful tool for combatting speech anxiety.

Proven Anxiety-Busters

Relaxation strategies can be super helpful for fighting speech anxiety. Some that you might try include:

  • Deep breathing
  • Progressive muscle relaxation
  • Guided imagery
  • Positive self-talk
  • Mindfulness

Find a Friendly Face

If you are feeling anxious, find one of your friends in class (or someone who seems friendly) and imagine that you are speaking only to that person.

Press Play for Advice on Finding Courage

Hosted by therapist Amy Morin, LCSW, this episode of The Verywell Mind Podcast shares a strategy to help you find courage when you need it the most.

Follow Now : Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Google Podcasts

Remember that other students are on your side. Think about a time when you have been an audience member and the student delivering the speech or presentation was noticeably nervous. Did you think less of that student? More likely, you felt sympathetic and wanted to make that person more comfortable by smiling or nodding.

Remember—other students generally want you to succeed and feel comfortable. If, for some reason, the audience is not on your side or you experience  bullying  or social exclusion, be sure to discuss this with a parent, teacher, or guidance counselor.

Sometimes just knowing what makes a good speech can help you feel more confident. Focus on some of the following elements and practice them before you have to speak in public.

Develop Your Own Style

In addition to imitating good speakers, work on developing your own personal style as a public speaker. Integrate your own personality into your speaking style and you will feel more comfortable in front of the class. Telling personal stories that tie into your theme are a great way to let other students get to know you better.

Avoid Filler Words

Words such as "basically," "well," and "um" don't add anything to your speech. Practice being silent when you feel the urge to use one of these words.

Vary Your Tone, Volume, and Speed

Interesting speakers vary the pitch (high versus low), volume (loud versus soft), and speed (fast versus slow) of their words. Doing so keeps your classmates interested and engaged in what you say.

Make the Audience Laugh

Laughter is a great way to relax both you and the other students in your class, and telling jokes can be a great icebreaker at the beginning of a speech. Practice the timing and delivery of your jokes beforehand and ask a friend for feedback. Be sure that they are appropriate for your class before you begin.

If all else fails, smile. Your fellow classmates will perceive you like a warm speaker and be more receptive to what you have to say.

Don't Apologize

If you make a mistake, don't offer apologies. Chances are that your classmates didn't notice anyway. Unless you need to correct a fact or figure, there is no point dwelling on errors that probably only you noticed.

If you make a mistake because your hands or shaking, or something similar, try to make light of the situation by saying something like, "I wasn't this nervous when I woke up this morning!" This can help to break the tension of the moment.

It's natural to feel frightened the first time you have to speak in front of your class. However, if you fear continues, interferes with your daily life and keeps you awake at night, it may be helpful to see someone about your anxiety.

Try talking to a parent, teacher, or counselor about how you have been feeling. If that doesn't get you anywhere, ask to make an appointment with your doctor. Severe public speaking anxiety is a true disorder that can improve with treatment .

Gallego A, McHugh L, Penttonen M, Lappalainen R. Measuring public speaking anxiety: Self-report, behavioral, and physiological .  Behav Modif . 2022;46(4):782-798. doi:10.1177/0145445521994308

Spence SH, Rapee RM. The etiology of social anxiety disorder: An evidence-based model . Behav Res Ther. 2016;86:50-67. doi:10.1016/j.brat.2016.06.007

García-Monge A, Guijarro-Romero S, Santamaría-Vázquez E, Martínez-Álvarez L, Bores-Calle N. Embodied strategies for public speaking anxiety: evaluation of the Corp-Oral program .  Front Hum Neurosci . 2023;17:1268798. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2023.1268798

Kroczek LOH, Mühlberger A. Public speaking training in front of a supportive audience in Virtual Reality improves performance in real-life .  Sci Rep . 2023;13(1):13968. doi:10.1038/s41598-023-41155-9

Banushi B, Brendle M, Ragnhildstveit A, et al. Breathwork interventions for adults with clinically diagnosed anxiety disorders: A scoping review .  Brain Sci . 2023;13(2):256. doi:10.3390/brainsci13020256

Vogel WH, Viale PH. Presenting with confidence .  J Adv Pract Oncol . 2018;9(5):545-548.

By Arlin Cuncic, MA Arlin Cuncic, MA, is the author of The Anxiety Workbook and founder of the website About Social Anxiety. She has a Master's degree in clinical psychology.

  • Games, topic printables & more
  • The 4 main speech types
  • Example speeches
  • Commemorative
  • Declamation
  • Demonstration
  • Informative
  • Introduction
  • Student Council
  • Speech topics
  • Poems to read aloud
  • How to write a speech
  • Using props/visual aids
  • Acute anxiety help
  • Breathing exercises
  • Letting go - free e-course
  • Using self-hypnosis
  • Delivery overview
  • 4 modes of delivery
  • How to make cue cards
  • How to read a speech
  • 9 vocal aspects
  • Vocal variety
  • Diction/articulation
  • Pronunciation
  • Speaking rate
  • How to use pauses
  • Eye contact
  • Body language
  • Voice image
  • Voice health
  • Public speaking activities and games
  • Blogging Aloud
  • About me/contact

How to write a speech introduction

12 of the best attention getters to start a speech

By:  Susan Dugdale  | Last modified: 01-12-2023

The audience settles in their seats. The lights dim. You walk out to the center of the stage. You pause, take a deep breath, open your mouth and begin.

What you say over the next 30 seconds to introduce your speech or presentation is crucial.

That's how much time you have to make a positive impression on your audience. In it they will decide whether or not you have anything relevant or useful to say. Those first impressions count!

So how do you write an effective speech introduction to grab and hold their attention?

Begin by finding out how to choose the right opener.

What's on this page:

  • how to choose the right opener for your speech

12 of the very best ways to start a speech

3. What if?

5. Key fact

7. Rhetorical

9. Headlines

10. History

11. Challenge

Retro Label: 12 ways to hook an audience.

How to choose the right opener for your speech

The better way to make your choice of opener is after you have carefully considered who you are talking to and why you're talking to them.

One size does not fit all. Different audiences will respond differently. If you are giving the same speech multiple times think about what you may need to change to fit. 

To work well your opening needs to be aligned with:

  • the type of speech you're giving
  • your main purpose for giving it
  • your target audience and,  
  • their interests or needs

Both the hook * to catch their attention and your topic must be relevant to them. Unless they're a captive audience, they've come freely to listen to you and they're expecting something of value from you.

How are you going to let them know they're in the right place? Why should they listen? What are they going to get or gain through listening?

Out of all the different ways to open, what attention getter is absolutely the best way?

The only way I know to work out what is best is to go through each of them, and as you do, consider your audience. Make a short list of those you think might work then try them out before making your final choice.

* hook – an opening statement that immediately captures the audience's attention just like a well baited hook on a fishing line catches a fish.

Return to Top

1. Use imagination to create mind pictures

Ask the audience to use their imagination. Get them to build evocative compelling images in their minds. Make them large. Add vibrant color, sound and movement.

For example:

“Let's take a break. Make yourself comfortable. Now close your eyes for a moment. Take a deep breath, and you're there, in the place where you feel the most at ease, the place where all the tensions, all the demands of your normal everyday life disappear. Look around you. See it. Feel it. It's so good, it's perfect."

“Close your eyes. Take a deep breath and a moment to picture in your mind the people dearest to you, the people you feel you could not live without. Now when did you talk to them, or spend real time with them last?"

2. Use an item to build a connection 

Choose an image or an object related to your speech, for instance a pair of shoes, to trigger interest and build a connection.

For example, if I were giving a speech on the lives of upper-middle class 19th century women I could open by holding up a pair of ornately decorated kid leather pumps.

“What's the name of the young woman who wore these? Listen. Can you hear the rustle of her silk skirts? And hear her heart beat bom-biddy-bom as the beau of the ball stepped her way? Would he, or wouldn't he ask her to dance?”

3. Ask a 'What if...?' rhetorical question

'What if...?' invites an audience to consider the possibilities of something becoming real. They can be positive somethings or negative, trivial or something that would have a significant impact if it came to pass.

The power of a 'what if...?' rhetorical question as an opener lies in the potency of the images and feelings it triggers. A well-chosen 'what if...?' will immediately have an audience wanting to hear the rest of your speech.

  • "What if we don't find a way to successfully manage climate change?"
  • "What if we really did solve the affordable housing crisis?"
  • "What if questions of race and color ceased to matter?"
  • "What if medicines were freely available to everybody who needed them?"
  • "What if the person sitting next to you turned, looked into your eyes and said they loved you? Truly. Madly. Deeply."

4. Try a quotation from someone who's impacted your life in some way

To be effective a quotation doesn't have to be the clever quip or snippet of enduring wisdom: a famous quote from a well known person. It's origin could be personal, something someone important in your life said that's remained with you.

For example, my Mother answered all initial wails of outrage, pain or hurt from any of her five children with a command. "Breathe!" That was repeated, interwoven with encouraging asides, until whoever it was, was able to talk clearly and be understood.  "It's OK.", she'd say. "Breathe. Come on. You can do it. Breathe. That's it. Keep going. Good."

Or I could use this line from one of my high school reports which read, "...with further maturity she should do well." (Thank you Mr Phillips. Your prediction was right on target.) 

Or this from our son aged four as he watched me getting ready for another day of teaching: "When I grow up I'm going to wear pretty dresses and go to school just like you."

5. Use an interesting key fact

Choose an interesting key fact as an attention getting device: one of the most rarely known, or a shocking statistic from the body of your speech to open with.

For example: "Take a guess at what the most powerful and frequently used word is in the English language? 

It's not one of those usually thought of candidates.  Love? No. Money? Nope. Neither is it  any member of your family... Mum, Dad, brother, sister, son, or daughter.

It's a three letter word, so common it's overlooked and taken for granted. 'The'. It's the humble 'the'."

(For more see this BBC article:  Is this the most powerful word in the English language?

Or: "Between 2020/21 and 2021/2022, Americans consumed about 11 million metric tons of sugar, up from about 10 million metric tons in 2009/2010. Can you even begin to imagine the size of that sweet white mountain?"

(For more see: US sugar consumption statistics )

6. Share personal stories

Share a personal story related to your specific topic as the beginning of a speech. Done well, it lets the audience know you understand their situation and helps establish your credibility: your right to talk on the subject.

As an example here's the opening of a speech I gave about the impact of suicide on families and friends:

“One fine Spring day I biked home from school and found a policemen guarding our backdoor. Through it came sounds I'll never forget: my quiet Mother screaming. He said, "You can't go in."

I kicked him in the shins and did. It was the 15th of September, three days before my thirteenth birthday and my father was dead. Killed by his own hand. Suicide.”

(If you want to find out more about the speech and read it, it's here: After they're gone . It's an example persuasive speech using the five steps of Monroe's Motivated Sequence.)

7. Rhetorical questions

These are questions that although they are asked, they're never really intended to be answered by anyone other than the person asking them. * Their principal function is to act as a segue, or lead in, to what the person intends to say next. For instance, the first main point of your introduction.

Examples: "What if I were to say to you that there was no such thing as public speaking fear?"

"What do you think the main benefits of being able to speak up in public are?"

* Although there's bound to be someone in your audience who will. Be ready for them, and move on.

8. An empathetic question, aligning yourself with the audience and eliciting a response

These questions bring speaker and audience together, establishing a common ground, a mutual understanding, which is an effective way to ease into a speech. If your question 'works' you'll see heads nodding in agreement.

  • "Have you ever experienced the butterflies in your stomach turning into a herd of rampaging elephants, just before you step up to give your presentation?"
  • "Have you ever wanted a good day to never end?"
  • "How often have you 'lost' your car in the supermarket car park?"
  • "How often have you ever wanted to shout, NO? You want me to prepare a new presentation by tomorrow? NO. You want me to stay late, again? NO."

9. It's in the news

Take headlines from what's trending in media you know the audience will be familiar with and see.

Using those that relate to your speech topic as the opening of your speech is a good way to grab the attention of the audience. It shows how relevant and up-to-the-minute the topic is.

For example: "'Death toll soars to 76 in Florida after Hurricane Ian demolished entire communities.' 'Noru became a super typhoon in 6 hours. Scientists say powerful storms are becoming harder to forecast.' 'Hurricane Orlene strengthens into Category 4 storm as it heads toward western Mexico.'

Three front page headlines from CNN just today. Climate change. Let's do what we can."

10. This day in history

If you're giving a speech to celebrate a special birthday or an anniversary, consider using several carefully selected events that occurred on the same day as a speech opening. They could be either funny or serious, depending on the specific purpose of your speech. They're a great way to place the person in a much wider context and often with exalted company.

For example: "What do the 1863 National Thanksgiving Day proclamation by President Abraham Lincoln, National Boyfriend Day, and Gwen Stefani have in common with Joe? Yes, the 3rd of October! It's a great date made better by being Joe's birthday. And we say Gwen is truly privileged to have the same one as him."

11. Issue a challenge

Let the audience know first thing, at the beginning of the speech, what action you expect they'll be able to take by the time your presentation is complete. Then when you come to the final points, repeat the call to action, or challenge, as part of your closing statement.

For example: "I've a challenge for you. That's to sign up for our public speaking course. Right now you may not see yourself doing that. Public speaking? Me? I'd rather have a root canal done, without painkillers. However, by the end of the presentation...well, let's see. There's a first time for everything!"

Use a startling statement, a fact, or a series of facts, to jolt the audience into paying attention.

"Covid. We've had 1.06 million of us die in the US, so far. Today there are nearly 60,00 new cases. More mothers, fathers, friends, colleagues, children – people. People ill. People who might die. So why have we stopped wearing masks?"

For more: Google: Covid stats US

Other speech writing resources

  • how to end a speech effectively : explanations with examples showing how to close a speech with impact
  • how to write a speech : a detailed guide with examples covering audience analysis, planning, writing oral language, transitions, how to use an outline... 

speaking out loud 

Subscribe for  FREE weekly alerts about what's new For more see  speaking out loud  

Susan Dugdale - write-out-loud.com - Contact

Top 10 popular pages

  • Welcome speech
  • Demonstration speech topics
  • Impromptu speech topic cards
  • Thank you quotes
  • Impromptu public speaking topics
  • Farewell speeches
  • Phrases for welcome speeches
  • Student council speeches
  • Free sample eulogies

From fear to fun in 28 ways

A complete one stop resource to scuttle fear in the best of all possible ways - with laughter.

Public speaking games ebook cover - write-out-loud.com

Useful pages

  • Search this site
  • About me & Contact
  • Free e-course
  • Privacy policy

©Copyright 2006-24 www.write-out-loud.com

Designed and built by Clickstream Designs

how to speech in english in school

Save £500 when you enrol by 30th September!

Other languages

  • 11 Tips for Giving a Great Speech

how to speech in english in school

Chances are you’ll be asked to give speeches or presentations in classes at school. If you get involved in volunteer groups, brief speeches to open events or thank participants are a must. Then there are the speeches at events such as weddings, as well as speeches that you might have to give in the workplace. That amounts to the average person being required to give quite a lot of speeches, even if they don’t get involved in an area such as politics where the ability to give a good speech becomes even more important. You might also have suffered through quite a number of bad speeches from other people – whether that’s at family events where the microphone squeaks the whole way through or a school presentation where the headteacher can’t quite make the jokes work. If you don’t want to inflict the same sort of experience on others, here are our top tips for giving a great speech.

1. Practise your microphone technique

Correct spacing is key - you want to be heard but don't want to end up deafening your audience!

2. Keep it short

Be strict with yourself when it comes to timing.

Particularly at something like a party or a wedding, no one will be unhappy if your speech runs a little short; it’ll just give them more time to investigate the canapés. If you are giving a speech for a class in school, and it’ll be assessed, you need to prioritise keeping it within the required time limits. But even under these circumstances, if you’ve been tasked – say – with giving a 10-15 minute speech, it’s usually better to come in nearer the 10 than the 15 minute mark. Put simply, even if your speech is terrible, your audience can probably tolerate it for 10 minutes. Much longer, and they’ll be struggling. This shouldn’t limit what you can cover; in the film Up , the whole of Carl and Ellie’s heartbreaking love story is told in under 12 minutes. Do you really need longer to make your points? Achieve brevity by writing out the speech you would give if you had all the time in the world, and then cut anything that seems extraneous or boring.

3. Consider what your audience wants to hear

If you are giving a speech in class because it’s your assignment, what your audience wants to hear is likely to be “the bell ringing for lunch”; you can’t help them there. But under other circumstances, consider what your audience wants to hear and what you want to say, and strive for there to be as much overlap as possible. In the context of a political speech, for instance, what you want to say might be why your party should receive votes; what your audience wants to hear is what your party would do for them, if they won power. Hopefully it should be possible to write a speech that meets both sets of needs, rather than focusing solely on whatever it is that you want to say and leaving your audience disappointed.

4. Pick a theme and stick to it

Beware: digressions ahead.

Here’s a goal for giving a speech: someone sitting near the back, who’s messing around on their phone for at least two-thirds of it and focusing mainly on how long it will be until lunch, should nonetheless be able to give a reasonably accurate answer to the question, “what was it about?” If you’re supposed to be giving a speech in defence of the nuclear deterrent, for example, both the topic and your position on it should be clearly identifiable. This means – to stick with the nuclear deterrent example – not talking for a while about jobs, and then the wider economy, and then the North-South divide, and then Scottish independence, and then Ukraine with a brief digression into South Ossetia before rounding off by squeaking out “and that’s why we should renew Trident!” seconds before you run out of time – no matter how relevant that cornucopia of topics may feel (and they are all relevant, albeit tenuously). It means that even if you do have to take a while to explain a more complex idea, you need to be concise, and bring it back to your theme as quickly as you can.

5. Speak slowly

Most people speak more quickly than they realise when they’re on stage, especially if they’re nervous. But no one will be able to follow your speech if you’re jabbering it out. Thankfully, this one is easy to fix with a little effort and practise. First of all, figure out how quickly you’re actually speaking: do a word count for your speech and then time yourself saying it. A fast speaker will speak at maybe 160 words per minute, a slow speaker at 100 wpm and an average speaker at 130 wpm. For a formal speech, you want to be speaking on the slow side. While this will vary by culture and environment, 120 wpm is a reasonable target to aim for; slow enough that everyone should be able to understand you, and fast enough that you hopefully won’t be sending them to sleep.

6. Tell a couple of jokes

A touch of humour won't go amiss, even if you're not a natural comedian.

This is a tricky tip because there are lots of pitfalls in the world of telling jokes. For instance, there’s the temptation to include an in-joke that three of your friends will understand and find hilarious, that is utterly baffling to everyone else in the room. Avoid this – if you include any jokes, witty references or anything along those lines, make sure they are accessible to everyone present. All the same, if you can manage a joke or two, it can be a useful way to break up a speech and retain the audience’s interest. A little self-deprecation (not too much!) or the use of classic joke formats such as “the scene was chaotic; it looked as if a bomb had hit and we didn’t know where to start on repairs – but that’s enough about the hen party…” work nicely even if you’re not very confident. Don’t turn it into a stand-up comedy sketch if you’re not a comedian, don’t wait for ages for laughter that’s not showing up, and don’t make jokes at the expense of anyone who you don’t know for sure can take it.

7. Don’t be afraid to repeat yourself if you need to

If you follow US or UK politics at all, you’ve probably heard some of these phrases recently: take back control, make America great again, long-term economic plan, son of a bus driver. Three of these have already led the party or people they’re associated with to electoral victory; the fourth remains to be seen. To take the ‘son of a bus driver’ as an example, this refers to Sadiq Khan, now Mayor of London. There can be hardly anyone in London who doesn’t know what their Mayor’s dad did for a living. Meanwhile, many of them probably can’t remember his rival Zac Goldsmith’s name, let alone anything he said during the campaign. The point is that repetition works. In pursuit of point 4, if you want people to remember your key theme, you’re going to have to say it more than once. Don’t assume that everyone will have paid attention to everything you’ve said, unless you’re in a classroom setting where they’ll get told off if they don’t.

8. Only use the visual aids you need

Scratch the notes and speak directly to your audience.

This tip applies to two things: PowerPoints and notes. If you can do without either (and your assignment allows it), then do. Every time you’re glancing over your notes or up at the screen, fiddling with the laptop to get the slide to move on, fighting with a video that isn’t working or struggling to read your own handwriting, is time that you’re not spending engaging with your audience. A well-written, clear speech delivered without notes is always going to be better than someone awkwardly reading aloud the bullet points on their PowerPoint slides. If you must do a presentation – for instance, because there are photos that need to be included – have as little text on it as possible, preferably none. That way, if there are people at the back who can’t really see the screen through the sea of heads in front of them, they’ll still be able to follow what you’re saying.

9. Get a friend to check for awkward mannerisms

Mannerisms that are entirely fine in normal life become awkward and strange when you’re speaking in public. Perhaps you’re inclined to fiddle with your hair or your cuffs, you rock back and forth on the balls of your feet, or you have a habit of reaching your hand to your cheek when you’re talking. No one would notice in everyday conversation, but when you’re on a stage, it’ll become all they’ll see. Some of this is easily avoidable – for instance, if you have long hair that you’re inclined to twirl or otherwise fiddle with, tie it up. For other mannerisms, get the critical friend who helped you sort out your microphone technique to tell you what they are, and do your best to suppress the more annoying ones.

10. Look around the room

Overly intense eye-contact can easily feel intimidating.

Talking about eye contact usually has the effect of making normal eye contact a lot harder, and so does giving a speech. All of a sudden, you’re up on stage, and you have no idea what a normal way to look at a group of people is. Some speakers deal with this by picking a point in the middle distance and speaking to it; others by picking a particular person near to the back and addressing their entire speech at them. This is obviously no fun for that person, who probably spends the whole thing feeling extremely uncomfortable, but it’s not too weird for everyone else. Better still, though, if you can manage it, is to look slowly and steadily around the room, trying to make eye contact with a decent range of people, before returning to the middle distance for a while, rinse and repeat. This needs to be slow and steady, or you give the impression that you’ve just smelled smoke and are casting about for a fire exit before the stampede beings.

11. Don’t be scared of a good reaction

If your speech is genuinely engaging, funny, inspiring or any of the other things you might hope it would be, your audience will react to it. There might be laughter, or applause, or even a bit of cheering depending on the setting. This can be daunting because when you’re practising your speech in front of your bedroom mirror, there’s no way to prepare for it. And it’s where even the best speakers can go wrong, by launching straight into what they were going to say next without waiting for the laughter or applause to stop, or by looking painfully awkward while it’s going on. It’s a pitfall that’s mostly solved by being aware it might happen. If your audience is applauding you or otherwise reacting well, it’s OK to smile, look up, wait for them to stop and then keep going with your speech – it’s as simple as that. You could even throw in a “thank you” before you continue in the knowledge that it’s all going well. Image credits: microphones ; audience ; boy with microphone ; clock ; winding road ; enjoy a joke ; sticky notes ; 

how to speech in english in school

Science of People - Logo

How to Start a Speech: The Best (and Worst) Speech Openers

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

One of the hardest things about public speaking is knowing how to start a speech. Your opening line is your first impression. It’s how you capture attention. It’s how you captivate the audience. So how do you make sure you nail it every time?

The best way to know how to open a speech is to look at what has worked in the past. When we examined the top speeches of all time and the most popular TED talks of all time, we found some interesting speaking patterns.

Time has identified the top 10 greatest speeches of all time. They are:

Opening Lines of the Top 10 Greatest Speeches of All Time

#1: Socrates – “Apology”

Socrates's Speech Opening Line

#2: Patrick Henry – “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death”

Patrick Henry's Speech Opening Line

#3: Frederick Douglass – “The Hypocrisy of American Slavery”

Frederick Douglas's Speech Opening Line

#4: Abraham Lincoln – “Gettysburg Address”

Opening Line: “Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.”

Abraham Lincoln Gettysburg Address Quote

#5: Susan B. Anthony – “Women’s Rights to the Suffrage”

Susan B. Anthony's Speech Opening Line

#6: Winston Churchill – “Blood, Toil, Tears, and Sweat”

Winston Churchill's Speech Opening Line

#7: John F. Kennedy – “Inaugural Address”

Opening Line: “We observe today not a victory of party, but a celebration of freedom — symbolizing an end, as well as a beginning — signifying renewal, as well as change.”

how to speech in english in school

#8: Martin Luther King, Jr. – “I Have a Dream”

Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Speech Opening Line

#9: Lyndon B. Johnson – “The American Promise”

Lyndon B. Johnson's Speech Opening Line

#10: Ronald Reagan – “Remarks at the Brandenburg Gate”

Ronald Reagan's Speech Opening Line

How do all of these historical greats start their speeches? Is there a difference between these and some of the more modern top TED talks?

Before we dive in, let’s recap with some critical do’s and don’ts when opening a speech:

Opening Lines of the Top 10 TED Talks of All Time

Here are the opening lines to the top 10 Ted Talks of all time according to view count:

#1: Sir Ken Robinson – “Do schools kill creativity?” Opening Line: “Good morning. How are you? It’s been great, hasn’t it? I’ve been blown away by the whole thing. In fact, I’m leaving.”

#2: Amy Cuddy – “Your Body Language May Shape Who You Are” Opening Line: “So I want to start by offering you a free, no-tech life hack, and all it requires of you is this: that you change your posture for two minutes.”

#3: Simon Sinek – “How Great Leaders Inspire Action”

#4: Brene Brown – “The Power of Vulnerability” Opening Line: “So, I’ll start with this: a couple years ago, an event planner called me because I was going to do a speaking event.”

#5: Mary Roach – “10 Things You Didn’t Know About Orgasm” Opening Line: “All right. I’m going to show you a couple of images from a very diverting paper in The Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine.”

#6: Julian Treasure – “How to Speak so that People Want to Listen” Opening Line: “The human voice: It’s the instrument we all play.”

#7: Jill Bolte Taylor – “My Stroke of Insight” Opening Line: “I grew up to study the brain because I have a brother who has been diagnosed with a brain disorder: schizophrenia.”

#8: James Veitch – “This is What Happens When You Reply to Spam Email” Opening Line: “A few years ago, I got one of those spam emails.”

#9: Cameron Russell – “Looks Aren’t Everything; Believe Me, I’m a Model” Opening Line: “Hi. My name is Cameron Russell, and for the last little while, I’ve been a model.”

#10: Dan Pink – “The Puzzle of Motivation” Opening Line: “I need to make a confession at the outset here.”

What can we learn from these opening lines? There are some patterns that can help us. First, let’s start with what you shouldn’t do. Have you ever made one of these cardinal speaking sins?

Never Start a Presentation with…

Anything technical! This is a big mistake people make when they have not done a tech check ahead of time or are feeling nervous. Never start with these openers:

  • Is this microphone working?
  • Can you hear me?
  • Wow, these lights are bright!

Your nervousness. Many people think it is vulnerable to start with how nervous they are about speaking — you can mention this later, but it should not be the first thing. Why? People will then only be looking for signs of your nervousness. Don’t start with:

  • I’m so nervous right now!
  • Wow there are so many people here.
  • I’m not a great public speaker.

A lackluster or non-believable nicety. It’s great to be grateful to the person who introduced you, but it’s not a great way to include the audience. It’s ok to thank the audience for being there—but do it at the end (not as your opening line). These are all too boring:

  • Thanks for having me.
  • Thanks for that intro.
  • Nice to be here.

Boring, shmoring! I have an exception here if you can make it funny. Ken Robinson started with a nicety and then turned it into a joke. He said, “ “Good morning. How are you? It’s been great, hasn’t it? I’ve been blown away by the whole thing. In fact, I’m leaving.”

More Public Speaking Resources

Get even more public speaking tips with our related resources:

  • 10 Presentation Ideas that will Radically Improve Your Presentation Skills
  • 6 Public Speaking Apps to try Before Your Next Presentation
  • My Top 5 Favorite Public Speakers
  • 15 Science-Based Public Speaking Tips To Become a Master Speaker
  • How to Give Captivating Presentations
  • How to Give an Awesome Toast

How to Start a Presentation

A story. The absolute best way to start a presentation is with a story. There is nothing better to capture the imagination and attention of an audience. Try to use these speaking openers as fill-in-the-blanks for your speech.

  • I’m here for a reason. And it’s an interesting story…
  • The best thing that ever happened to me was…
  • Once upon a time…

In his talk, “The lies our culture tells us about what matters,” David Brooks started off with a great opening line AND a story. He said, “So, we all have bad seasons in life. And I had one in 2013. My marriage had just ended, and I was humiliated by that failed commitment.” Makes you want to watch right…

And if you need help on storytelling basics, be sure to check out some of my top 5 favorite speakers .

A BIG idea. Sometimes you want to share your big idea right up front. This can be helpful because it is intriguing and gets people clued in right away. All TED speakers try to integrate their big idea early.

  • You’re here for a reason. It’s…
  • The single most important thing I want to share with you today is…
  • Today, I want to share a big idea…

I love how Stacy Smith starts off her talk with her big idea framed in an interesting way. She said, “Today, I want to tell you about a pressing social issue. Now, it’s not nuclear arms, it’s not immigration, and it’s not malaria. I’m here to talk about movies.”

Special Note: Be very careful to NOT deliver your one-liner by re-reading your title slide. You also want to position it as exciting and intriguing. For example, don’t say, “Today I am going to talk about body language.” Instead say, “Today I am going to teach you the single most important thing you can do to improve your charisma… and it starts with your body.”

A quirky one-liner. If you can use humor — do it! Humor or curiosity is a great way to start a speech on a high. You can get creative with these! Think of an interesting fact about you, your audience or your topic that can lead you into your content.

  • One thing most people don’t know about me is…
  • A teacher, a mother and a duck walk into a bar…
  • I want to tell you something surprising.

When I gave my TEDx London Talk I started off with a quirky one-liner that immediately got a few laughs. It was “Hi, I’m Vanessa and I am a recovering awkward person.” It worked so well it is also the first line of my book, Captivate . 

YouTube video

II love the way Eve Ensler opens her speech with an interesting one-liner: “For a long time, there was me, and my body.”

This is a great tip from Conor Neill. He says that it is great to start with a question that the audience is asking themselves or would be very curious to know the answer to. This might be phrasing a pain point or worry for your audience.

  • Do you ever worry about…?
  • Have you ever wondered…?
  • You might have always thought…

See Cono Neill’s examples here: 

YouTube video

Did you know…? Any interesting factoid or curiosity is bound to intrigue your audience. This is great if it leads into your content or a story. I like to start with did you know… Here are some that I use. You will have to fill in the blank for your audience:

  • Did you know that it takes less than a second to make a first impression ?
  • Did you know that your nonverbal communication is 12.5 times more powerful than your words ?
  • Did you know that we are lied to 200 times a day ?

Jamie Oliver does this amazingly in his TED Talk. He starts with this mind-blowing fact, “Sadly, in the next 18 minutes when I do our chat, four Americans that are alive will be dead through the food that they eat.”

Hopefully these opening lines will give you some ideas to use to open your speech.

How to End a Speech: My Favorite Closers

Do you know how to end on a high? Leave a lasting impression in your presentation? Science tells us that the first and last parts of your presentations are the most important. Get our FREE download to get our closer guide.

Popular Guides

20 thoughts on “how to start a speech: the best (and worst) speech openers”.

how to speech in english in school

Love your material

how to speech in english in school

didnt help me but still good stuff

how to speech in english in school

Thank you Vanessa. I’ve been a public speaker for 25 years and I’m impressed with your content here. Thank you. Looking forward to a deep dive into more of your material. With gratitude.

how to speech in english in school

Found these examples super informative. Can’t wait to mix match the examples to see which one will work best for my presentation!

how to speech in english in school

I am preparing to make a presentation on Public Speaking and came across your article. This is very instructive and timely too.Many thanks.

Comments are closed.

How to Deal with Difficult People at Work

Do you have a difficult boss? Colleague? Client? Learn how to transform your difficult relationship. I’ll show you my science-based approach to building a strong, productive relationship with even the most difficult people.

Related Articles

Science of People offers over 1000+ articles on people skills and nonverbal behavior.

Get our latest insights and advice delivered to your inbox.

It’s a privilege to be in your inbox. We promise only to send the good stuff.

🧠 Be More Memorable With These 5 Simple Cues. New LIVE Training Coming 9/23. 🚨

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser or activate Google Chrome Frame to improve your experience.

FluentU Logo

21 Most Effective Ways to Improve Your English Speaking Skills

English is the world’s lingua franca , a common language that people with different native languages use to communicate with one another.

In fact, 96 countries use English to varying degrees.

That means the more fluent you are in English, the more interesting, exciting and  insightful (thoughtful) conversations you’ll have.

And, for the most part, you can boost your English speaking skills without having a classroom partner or taking stressful lessons.

In this article, we’ll take you through 21 of the best ways to improve your English speaking skills. We’re sure you’ll find at least one tip here that you haven’t tried before!

1. Learn new words and phrases every day

2. improve your pronunciation using authentic english audio and videos, 3. improvise conversations, 4. use tongue twisters, 5. learn the natural flow of english, 6. shadow english speech, 7. think in english, 8. retell a story in english, 9. use english pronunciation apps, 10. participate in public speaking events, 11. go to language cafes, 12. use formal or informal english appropriately, 13. be clear and to the point, 14. ask questions, 15. use filler phrases, 16. don’t be afraid to repeat yourself, 17. watch your body language, 18. improve your speaking by writing, 19. make friends online, 20. brush up on your cultural references and political knowledge, 21. visit an english-speaking country, and one more thing....

Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)

Before you learn things like improving your English pronunciation and accent , you’ll want to have a good grasp of the words and phrases used in daily conversations .

After all, it’s easier to figure out which aspects of your pronunciation can be improved if you know which words you need to practice saying aloud.

Also, you can commit to learning more words every day as you practice your speaking skills. This allows you to kill two birds with one stone (achieve two goals by doing one thing).

  • Set a goal for the number of new words you want to learn daily. For example, you can learn three new words or 10 every day. Even if you only have time to learn one new word per day, that will still be 365 new words a year (assuming you commit to your goal every day). You can take note of your target number using your phone, or share it with a learning partner who can help you check your progress.
  • Subscribe to an online dictionary’s “Word of the Day” section. Not sure which words you want to learn right now? You can look up English dictionaries online with the “Word of the Day” feature. Just sign up for their free subscription via email, and you can get these words delivered to your inbox every day.
  • Pick up new words all around you. Go to an English-speaking area, and listen discreetly (in a way you won’t be noticed) to native conversations. Write down any words or phrases you don’t understand, and look them up later using your dictionary. Do the same with the English songs you hear on the radio. By learning new words in context, you’ll be able to remember them more easily and grow your vocabulary more quickly.
  • Learn words in phrases. For example, you refer to drinks as a glass of wine , a pint of beer , a cup of tea , a pot of coffee , etc. Again, learning words in context works much better for recall.
  • Learn related words. For example, the moon has four phases every month: crescent , gibbous ,  waxing and waning . It’s more efficient to learn all four words at the same time.

Even if you know a lot of words, you won’t be understood if you don’t pronounce them correctly. That’s wasting the time spent remembering words, right?

So, you need to hear or watch English words and phrases as they’re pronounced by native speakers. Some places where you can do this are:

  • Online dictionaries. You’ll notice that these dictionaries often have little speaker symbols next to the new words (like this ). Some of them, like the Cambridge Dictionary , even have different audio for U.S. and U.K. pronunciations. Just click the speaker symbol, listen carefully and imitate the way the audio pronounces the word.
  • YouTube. Sometimes, when you search for the pronunciation of a certain word online, the results will show YouTube videos . They often repeat the word slowly several times, which makes it easier for you to follow along.
  • Podcasts. Podcasts like English Pronunciation Pod and American English Pronunciation can teach you the many aspects of American English pronunciation.

If you’re having trouble pronouncing whole words, you may want to work on pronouncing individual letters first.

For example, when pronouncing English vowels , prepare your mouth for speaking by making the sounds of the vowels A , E , I , O and U .

Make a shape with your mouth as you make these sounds.  Exaggerate the sounds and shapes—that is, make them very large and very obvious.

By practicing these basic sounds, it’ll be easier to hear the difference between, for example, a  cat and a  cut . (A cat can give you a cut, but a cut can never give you a cat! That’s just silly.)

For consonants, pronunciation practice is a bit trickier, and will require an entire post on its own. Luckily, we have a handy guide that covers how to pronounce consonants in English !

Improvisation (or just improv ) means making things up in the moment.

Here are a few improvisation ideas you can do on your own:

  • Choose an ordinary object (like a pen) and make up a story about it. Talk about how important it is to you, how it helped you find your long-lost sister or how it saved your life. Be as creative as you want!
  • Choose a letter of the alphabet and speak as long as you can while starting every sentence with this letter. Or start with the letter A and go through the alphabet as you speak. It’s much harder than it sounds!
  • Speak for two minutes.  Set a timer to run for two minutes. Choose a random topic from places like Conversation Starters or prompts (ideas) at Writing Exercises . Then, speak about that topic for the full two minutes without giving yourself time to think about it. The first minute might be hard, but by the second minute, you’ll start to speak more confidently and comfortably. Try this as many times as it takes to get comfortable within the first minute.

Practicing improv is a good way to get more comfortable speaking with others, since it teaches you to speak without preparation.

Tongue twisters are phrases and sentences that are difficult to say quickly. They’re designed to help you see how fast you can say them before your tongue gets confused.

But saying them slowly works, too! It’s an excellent way to work on your pronunciation and how clearly you speak. You can choose one of these English tongue twisters , making sure to correctly and clearly say every word.

Once you’re comfortable saying the words slowly, try to say them faster, gradually increasing your speed with each new repetition. Even if you get some words wrong (and believe me, even native English speakers struggle with tongue twisters sometimes), you’ll at least have a good laugh about it!

Being able to say individual words correctly is great, but the secret to speaking English fluently lies in the flow of your sentences.

Whenever you read a piece of poetry, listen to a melodic song or watch a hilarious sitcom, pay attention to:

  • Linking. Notice how native speakers link words together. This refers to joining two sounds, making a sound disappear or changing a sound to make it flow better.
  • I + am =  I’m
  • he + will =  he’ll
  • they + have =  they’ve
  • do + not =  don’t
  • Stress.  There are stressed syllables in a word and stressed words in a sentence .
  • Rhythm.  The rhythm is the overall result of stress, contractions and linking. It’s the ups and downs, or the musical features of English. You can also think of it as the speed and “sound” of your speaking.

Finding your perfect speaking rhythm can go a long way toward boosting your fluency. A good speaking pace is comfortable (both for you and the listener), keeps you focused and gives you enough time to think through what you want to say.

Here’s how you can improve the flow of your spoken English:

  • Find a short paragraph, or even just a sentence at your reading level. You can find lots of short reading passages for different levels here . You can also open your favorite English book to a random page and choose a paragraph or two.
  • Get a recorder or video camera. If your phone doesn’t already have a recorder installed, you can download this for iOS or this for Android.
  • Say the paragraph or sentence slowly, then again faster, and again.
  • Once you reach a speed that doesn’t feel comfortable or is too fast, slow down.
  • Repeat this a number of times, making sure to record what you say every time.

Listen to the recordings. How do they sound? You should’ve felt a difference when you were speaking, too. Speaking slowly helps you work on pronunciation and enunciation (how clearly you say things). Speaking fast helps you work on your fluency, since you’re not worrying about every single word you say.

Shadowing English basically involves listening to how a native speaker says something and copying it.

Here are some ideas on how to shadow English:

  • Pick your favorite video with subtitles. Make sure it’s something you enjoy watching. This is important for the next step.
  • Listen to it many times. Listen to the video once. Then, read the subtitles to get a good grasp of the general content and flow.
  • Imitate the narrator sentence by sentence. Play. Listen. Pause. Speak. Record (optional). Copy the speech pattern as best as you can. 

With enough shadowing, you’ll naturally get closer to sounding like a native speaker. Just make sure to pick videos with the same English accent! 

You can find plenty of English videos with quality subtitles on the language learning platform FluentU .

FluentU takes authentic videos—like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talks—and turns them into personalized language learning lessons.

You can try FluentU for free for 2 weeks. Check out the website or download the iOS app or Android app.

P.S. Click here to take advantage of our current sale! (Expires at the end of this month.)

FluentU Ad

Try FluentU for FREE!

When you’re learning English, and you’re having a conversation with a native speaker, your natural tendency is to take what they say, translate it into your native language in your head, mentally create a response in your native language then translate that response back into English.

As you can imagine, this takes a lot of time. It also makes conversations feel slow or even frustrating (something that causes stress) for the person you’re talking to.

On the other hand, if you practice thinking in English , it takes less time to come up with responses and engage in conversations. You don’t have to take that extra step of translating to and from your native language.

A good way to start thinking in English is to keep a diary for writing down your daily thoughts in English. It doesn’t have to be perfect—you just want to practice getting your thoughts out in English as often as you can.

For example, you can start with a familiar story from your culture. Your translation needs to  convey (communicate) not only the meaning of the words you use, but as much cultural nuance (small differences in meaning) as you can pack into it. You can also choose a short story or fairy tale that mostly uses words you can understand.

Then, you can record your retelling or ask a native English speaker to listen to you and give you their thoughts.

Sometimes, you have words in your language that don’t easily translate into English, and that’s okay! You can try to explain it in another way, like how an untranslatable word would feel to a native English speaker, for example.

If you’ve ever wondered whether there’s an app to help you perfect your English pronunciation, the answer is “Yes.” There’s a lot of them , in fact.

For example, ELSA Speak (available on iOS and Android ) uses speech recognition technology to help you correct the way you say words in English. The lessons are arranged according to topic (e.g., travel, business, etc.). If you’re taking proficiency exams like the IELTS, this app can come in handy, too!

Big universities, theaters and cultural societies often organize events like open debates , spoken word readings and improvised storytelling gatherings. These are places where you can come and mingle with like-minded people and practice speaking English.

Many cities host TED Talks where you can register, participate and share your  innovative (something that’s new or original) ideas. Check the events page of your local university to see if there are any of these opportunities available. It might be a nerve-racking experience, but it would be great for your English!

But what if you don’t feel confident speaking in English? Don’t worry, all language learners deal with this at some point! One of the best ways to overcome the lack of confidence is to get out there and practice.

The best way to do this is to try speaking in English with strangers. The following video has tips on avoiding mistakes when starting a conversation in English.

If public speaking terrifies you, you can opt for language cafes instead. These are cafes that create a friendly and relaxing atmosphere for people who want to practice and exchange languages.

You can usually find language cafes through local universities or the Meetup groups in your local area. If nothing else, they’re a great place to find friends you can share your personal interests with.

Depending on the context, you may have to use either formal or informal English . But how do you know which one to use?

Often, it’s a good idea to listen to how your conversation partner is talking, notice your situation and environment and try to match the type of English being used.

For example, if you’re in the office or at school talking to a boss or professor, it’s safe to use formal English. If you’re talking over coffee with a friend in a cozy cafe, you’re free to throw around all the slang you know.

If you’re only learning “regular” English, don’t worry. Most of the time, standard English works perfectly well as a communication tool, no matter who you’re speaking to. Context is key!

Imagine hearing both of these sentences out of the blue (suddenly). The first thing you’ll probably think of is, “What on earth is this person talking about? What do ‘elucidate’ and ‘dihydrogen monoxide’ mean?”

Even if you know what those words mean, you’ll probably still think that they could’ve just said  “Can you please explain to me what this means?” or “Drink lots of water every day!”

You may be tempted to throw around impressive-sounding words in everyday conversations. But, unless there’s no other way to express what you really mean, you’ll want to use the simplest words possible. Not only will you be better understood, but you’re also less likely to come across as pretentious (someone who acts like they’re better than they really are).

But how do you know which words are the “simplest” for English speakers? Again, that’s where regularly listening to authentic conversations comes in. The more you listen to regular conversations by native speakers, the more you’ll pick up patterns regarding the words they use to make themselves understood.

Communication works both ways. To make sure your listener is engaged (interested in what you have to say) and understands you, ask questions. 

The questions can be about anything you want to know more of. If it’s your first time meeting someone, “What’s your name?” is always a good conversation starter. You can also use other ways to introduce yourself in English .

Ask questions whenever the other person stops and there’s something you want to know more about. For example, if you see your friend with a good-looking car, you can say something like “Wow, that’s a nice car! What make and model is it?” The “compliment + question” formula works like a charm!

Whenever you don’t understand what the other person says, just say it back to the speaker in your own words. This will give them a chance to correct whatever you didn’t understand, or confirm that you heard right.

You can use these phrases before the information:

  • I want to make sure I got that right, …
  • So let me get this straight, …
  • If I’m understanding you correctly, …
  • Just to make sure I’ve got it right, you mean…
  • Are you saying that… ?
  • When you said… Did you mean… ?
  • I am not quite sure I am following. Did you say…

If you’re worried that this makes you look “slow” or rude (has no manners), don’t fret! Most people will be perfectly understanding of the fact that English isn’t your first language. They’d rather repeat themselves than have any misunderstandings.

Filler phrases are phrases that act like placeholders in a sentence. They fill in silences so that your speech isn’t interrupted, and give you a little time to think of what to say.

Some examples of filler phrases are:

  • To be honest…

You’ll hear these words a lot when you’re talking to native English speakers. To have a better grasp of what they mean and how to use them, you’ll want to—you’ve guessed it—practice them regularly.

But, as with any good thing, don’t overuse them! Too many filler phrases are just as bad as too many pauses. As a general rule of thumb, try not to use more than one filler phrase for every couple of sentences you speak. 

Because you’re still practicing English, you may not always be sure if people really understand what you mean.

In that case, just ask! Most of the time, you can make sure someone understands what you said by asking them to repeat what you said.

For example, the next time you give instructions, directions or information in English, follow it up with one of these phrases:

  • I want to make sure you got that. Would you mind repeating it?
  • I’m not sure if I said that right. Can you please repeat it?
  • Can you please run that by me, so I know you got it?
  • I’d like to be sure I’m expressing myself clearly. Could you please tell me what I’ve just said, so I know we’re on the same page?

There’s an English saying that goes like this: “Actions speak louder than words.”

The way you sit, the way you hold your hands and even where you look—all of these can add to or change the meaning of the words you say. The most important thing is to relax.

Not all body language and gestures mean the same thing in different cultures, however. Here are some things to keep in mind when you’re speaking in English:

  • Avoid certain hand gestures. Showing just the middle finger with the rest of the fingers folded down is considered an offensive gesture. In the U.K., making a V sign with your index and middle finger is also considered rude. (In the U.S., it’s just a sign that means “peace.”)
  • Do use your hands when you’re speaking, though. Your hands can show so many emotions. Slamming a  fist (where your fingers are curled into your hands like a boxer’s) into an open hand shows determination. Slamming an open palm or a fist into a table can show anger. Keeping your hands closed and folded on your chest makes you seem cold and uninterested.
  • Fingers can speak, too. For example, you can make an “okay” sign by keeping your last three fingers open, and making an “O” with your index finger and thumb.
  • Crossed legs can mean different things. If you cross your legs toward the person you’re speaking to, this shows you’re listening to them. If you cross your legs away, it can show you’re not interested or are distracted.

Take note of the situation and mood of the speaker when they make certain gestures. Watching others’ body language in person can help you better understand what they mean.

You can also do this exercise:

  • Sit or stand in front of a mirror and speak.
  • Pretend you’re having a conversation with your reflection. What are your hands doing? What does your posture say?
  • Move around, try different things and see how they change the meaning of the words you’re speaking.

This may seem like a strange tip in a post on how to improve your English speaking skills. After all, what does writing have to do with speaking?

Plenty, in fact. When you know the most natural way to express something in English on paper, that can also translate to how you express yourself in spoken conversations.

Practice writing in English . Take time to collect your thoughts. Try writing a blog in English to hone your writing skills.

Take a look at the steps below and start blogging!

  • Choose a platform.   WordPress is a good option for blogging. You can set up an account, then choose a theme and a domain (e.g., imlearningenglish.wordpress.com). Other content management systems like Wix , Ghost and Squarespace are also useful. If you only want to write and aren’t too comfortable with overly technical setups, check out Medium .
  • Choose a topic. You can write about whatever you like, of course. But since you want to practice more and more, you should choose a topic that you’re  passionate (interested in or knowledgeable) about.
  • Set a schedule and stick to it. Decide how often you’ll be writing—daily, twice a week or once every other week. Be realistic, but committed.
  • Write away!  Staring at a blank page can be intimidating (scary). To get started, set a timer for one to two minutes. Think of your topic for that day, then start writing without stopping until the timer goes off. Don’t worry about vocabulary, sentence structure or spelling for now. The point is to express yourself without having to think too much about what you want to say—which is how most conversations go!

Do you feel shy about meeting people in person?

Luckily, you don’t have to leave home to find people to talk to. You can always go to language exchange sites like:

  • italki. italki works like a tutoring site where you can find native English speakers to teach you their language. (Read our italki review here .)
  • Polyglot Club . A  polyglot is someone who can speak multiple languages. As you can guess from the name, the website consists of a community of people dedicated to learning languages.
  • HelloTalk. On HelloTalk, you can connect with English speakers via voice, text or video chat. (Read our HelloTalk review here .)
  • Tandem. Similar to HelloTalk, Tandem allows you to contact English speakers from halfway around the world. It has more of a social media feel, though. (Read our Tandem review here .)

Native English speakers love to throw around cultural references in conversation. Cultural references are usually ideas, sayings or jokes related to popular media. For example, the meme (pronounced “meem”) “Brace yourselves, winter is coming” is a reference to a quote by the character Ned Stark from the TV series “Game of Thrones.”

There are so many possible cultural references that it’s hard to keep all of them straight, even if you’re a big pop culture fan! However, you can “get” (understand) most of them by watching lots of English TV shows and movies .

Aside from pop culture, you’ll also want to read about the politics, values and norms of the English-speaking country you’re interested in. That way, you can avoid saying something insensitive or politically incorrect. You can read all about these in newspapers and magazines , where you can also pick up idioms , phrases and other expressions you’ll use over and over again.

If you can afford a plane ticket and accommodations, you can always travel to an English-speaking country. Traveling gives you a chance to see and feel the culture—the food, the drinks, the shops, etc. You can practice chatting with native speakers, testing out your accent and seeing how well people understand you. 

So, off you go! Choose your preferred method to improve your English speaking skills above. Expand your vocabulary, correct your pronunciation and boost your English speaking with the tips that feel right for you. Don’t forget to practice as much as possible!

If you like learning English through movies and online media, you should also check out FluentU. FluentU lets you learn English from popular talk shows, catchy music videos and funny commercials , as you can see here:

learn-english-with-videos

If you want to watch it, the FluentU app has probably got it.

The FluentU app and website makes it really easy to watch English videos. There are captions that are interactive. That means you can tap on any word to see an image, definition, and useful examples.

learn-english-with-subtitled-television-show-clips

FluentU lets you learn engaging content with world famous celebrities.

For example, when you tap on the word "searching," you see this:

learn-conversational-english-with-interactive-captioned-dialogue

FluentU lets you tap to look up any word.

Learn all the vocabulary in any video with quizzes. Swipe left or right to see more examples for the word you’re learning.

practice-english-with-adaptive-quizzes

FluentU helps you learn fast with useful questions and multiple examples. Learn more.

The best part? FluentU remembers the vocabulary that you’re learning. It gives you extra practice with difficult words—and reminds you when it’s time to review what you’ve learned. You have a truly personalized experience.

Start using the FluentU website on your computer or tablet or, better yet, download the FluentU app from the iTunes or Google Play store. Click here to take advantage of our current sale! (Expires at the end of this month.)

Related posts:

Enter your e-mail address to get your free pdf.

We hate SPAM and promise to keep your email address safe

how to speech in english in school

Frantically Speaking

15 Powerful Speech Opening Lines (And How to Create Your Own)

Hrideep barot.

  • Public Speaking , Speech Writing

powerful speech opening

Powerful speech opening lines set the tone and mood of your speech. It’s what grips the audience to want to know more about the rest of your talk.

The first few seconds are critical. It’s when you have maximum attention of the audience. And you must capitalize on that!

Instead of starting off with something plain and obvious such as a ‘Thank you’ or ‘Good Morning’, there’s so much more you can do for a powerful speech opening (here’s a great article we wrote a while ago on how you should NOT start your speech ).

To help you with this, I’ve compiled some of my favourite openings from various speakers. These speakers have gone on to deliver TED talks , win international Toastmaster competitions or are just noteworthy people who have mastered the art of communication.

After each speaker’s opening line, I have added how you can include their style of opening into your own speech. Understanding how these great speakers do it will certainly give you an idea to create your own speech opening line which will grip the audience from the outset!

Alright! Let’s dive into the 15 powerful speech openings…

Note: Want to take your communications skills to the next level? Book a complimentary consultation with one of our expert communication coaches. We’ll look under the hood of your hurdles and pick two to three growth opportunities so you can speak with impact!

1. Ric Elias

Opening: “Imagine a big explosion as you climb through 3,000 ft. Imagine a plane full of smoke. Imagine an engine going clack, clack, clack. It sounds scary. Well I had a unique seat that day. I was sitting in 1D.”

How to use the power of imagination to open your speech?

Putting your audience in a state of imagination can work extremely well to captivate them for the remainder of your talk.

It really helps to bring your audience in a certain mood that preps them for what’s about to come next. Speakers have used this with high effectiveness by transporting their audience into an imaginary land to help prove their point.

When Ric Elias opened his speech, the detail he used (3000 ft, sound of the engine going clack-clack-clack) made me feel that I too was in the plane. He was trying to make the audience experience what he was feeling – and, at least in my opinion, he did.

When using the imagination opening for speeches, the key is – detail. While we want the audience to wander into imagination, we want them to wander off to the image that we want to create for them. So, detail out your scenario if you’re going to use this technique.

Make your audience feel like they too are in the same circumstance as you were when you were in that particular situation.

2. Barack Obama

Opening: “You can’t say it, but you know it’s true.”

3. Seth MacFarlane

Opening: “There’s nowhere I would rather be on a day like this than around all this electoral equipment.” (It was raining)

How to use humour to open your speech?

When you use humour in a manner that suits your personality, it can set you up for a great speech. Why? Because getting a laugh in the first 30 seconds or so is a great way to quickly get the audience to like you.

And when they like you, they are much more likely to listen to and believe in your ideas.

Obama effortlessly uses his opening line to entice laughter among the audience. He brilliantly used the setting (the context of Trump becoming President) and said a line that completely matched his style of speaking.

Saying a joke without really saying a joke and getting people to laugh requires you to be completely comfortable in your own skin. And that’s not easy for many people (me being one of them).

If the joke doesn’t land as expected, it could lead to a rocky start.

Keep in mind the following when attempting to deliver a funny introduction:

  • Know your audience: Make sure your audience gets the context of the joke (if it’s an inside joke among the members you’re speaking to, that’s even better!). You can read this article we wrote where we give you tips on how you can actually get to know your audience better to ensure maximum impact with your speech openings
  • The joke should suit your natural personality. Don’t make it look forced or it won’t elicit the desired response
  • Test the opening out on a few people who match your real audience. Analyze their response and tweak the joke accordingly if necessary
  • Starting your speech with humour means your setting the tone of your speech. It would make sense to have a few more jokes sprinkled around the rest of the speech as well as the audience might be expecting the same from you

4. Mohammed Qahtani

Opening: Puts a cigarette on his lips, lights a lighter, stops just before lighting the cigarette. Looks at audience, “What?”

5. Darren Tay

Opening: Puts a white pair of briefs over his pants.

How to use props to begin your speech?

The reason props work so well in a talk is because in most cases the audience is not expecting anything more than just talking. So when a speaker pulls out an object that is unusual, everyone’s attention goes right to it.

It makes you wonder why that prop is being used in this particular speech.

The key word here is unusual . To grip the audience’s attention at the beginning of the speech, the prop being used should be something that the audience would never expect. Otherwise, it just becomes something that is common. And common = boring!

What Mohammed Qahtani and Darren Tay did superbly well in their talks was that they used props that nobody expected them to.

By pulling out a cigarette and lighter or a white pair of underwear, the audience can’t help but be gripped by what the speaker is about to do next. And that makes for a powerful speech opening.

6. Simon Sinek

Opening: “How do you explain when things don’t go as we assume? Or better, how do you explain when others are able to achieve things that seem to defy all of the assumptions?”

7. Julian Treasure

Opening: “The human voice. It’s the instrument we all play. It’s the most powerful sound in the world. Probably the only one that can start a war or say “I love you.” And yet many people have the experience that when they speak people don’t listen to them. Why is that? How can we speak powerfully to make change in the world?”

How to use questions to open a speech?

I use this method often. Starting off with a question is the simplest way to start your speech in a manner that immediately engages the audience.

But we should keep our questions compelling as opposed to something that is fairly obvious.

I’ve heard many speakers start their speeches with questions like “How many of us want to be successful?”

No one is going to say ‘no’ to that and frankly, I just feel silly raising my hand at such questions.

Simon Sinek and Jullian Treasure used questions in a manner that really made the audience think and make them curious to find out what the answer to that question is.

What Jullian Treasure did even better was the use of a few statements which built up to his question. This made the question even more compelling and set the theme for what the rest of his talk would be about.

So think of what question you can ask in your speech that will:

  • Set the theme for the remainder of your speech
  • Not be something that is fairly obvious
  • Be compelling enough so that the audience will actually want to know what the answer to that question will be

8. Aaron Beverley

Opening: Long pause (after an absurdly long introduction of a 57-word speech title). “Be honest. You enjoyed that, didn’t you?”

How to use silence for speech openings?

The reason this speech opening stands out is because of the fact that the title itself is 57 words long. The audience was already hilariously intrigued by what was going to come next.

But what’s so gripping here is the way Aaron holds the crowd’s suspense by…doing nothing. For about 10 to 12 seconds he did nothing but stand and look at the audience. Everyone quietened down. He then broke this silence by a humorous remark that brought the audience laughing down again.

When going on to open your speech, besides focusing on building a killer opening sentence, how about just being silent?

It’s important to keep in mind that the point of having a strong opening is so that the audience’s attention is all on you and are intrigued enough to want to listen to the rest of your speech.

Silence is a great way to do that. When you get on the stage, just pause for a few seconds (about 3 to 5 seconds) and just look at the crowd. Let the audience and yourself settle in to the fact that the spotlight is now on you.

I can’t put my finger on it, but there is something about starting the speech off with a pure pause that just makes the beginning so much more powerful. It adds credibility to you as a speaker as well, making you look more comfortable and confident on stage. 

If you want to know more about the power of pausing in public speaking , check out this post we wrote. It will give you a deeper insight into the importance of pausing and how you can harness it for your own speeches. You can also check out this video to know more about Pausing for Public Speaking:

9. Dan Pink

Opening: “I need to make a confession at the outset here. Little over 20 years ago, I did something that I regret. Something that I’m not particularly proud of. Something that in many ways I wish no one would ever know but that here I feel kind of obliged to reveal.”

10. Kelly McGonigal

Opening: “I have a confession to make. But first I want you to make a little confession to me.”

How to use a build-up to open your speech?

When there are so many amazing ways to start a speech and grip an audience from the outset, why would you ever choose to begin your speech with a ‘Good morning?’.

That’s what I love about build-ups. They set the mood for something awesome that’s about to come in that the audience will feel like they just have to know about.

Instead of starting a speech as it is, see if you can add some build-up to your beginning itself. For instance, in Kelly McGonigal’s speech, she could have started off with the question of stress itself (which she eventually moves on to in her speech). It’s not a bad way to start the speech.

But by adding the statement of “I have a confession to make” and then not revealing the confession for a little bit, the audience is gripped to know what she’s about to do next and find out what indeed is her confession.

11. Tim Urban

Opening: “So in college, I was a government major. Which means that I had to write a lot of papers. Now when a normal student writes a paper, they might spread the work out a little like this.”

12. Scott Dinsmore

Opening: “8 years ago, I got the worst career advice of my life.”

How to use storytelling as a speech opening?

“The most powerful person in the world is the storyteller.” Steve Jobs

Storytelling is the foundation of good speeches. Starting your speech with a story is a great way to grip the audience’s attention. It makes them yearn to want to know how the rest of the story is going to pan out.

Tim Urban starts off his speech with a story dating back to his college days. His use of slides is masterful and something we all can learn from. But while his story sounds simple, it does the job of intriguing the audience to want to know more.

As soon as I heard the opening lines, I thought to myself “If normal students write their paper in a certain manner, how does Tim write his papers?”

Combine such a simple yet intriguing opening with comedic slides, and you’ve got yourself a pretty gripping speech.

Scott Dismore’s statement has a similar impact. However, just a side note, Scott Dismore actually started his speech with “Wow, what an honour.”

I would advise to not start your talk with something such as that. It’s way too common and does not do the job an opening must, which is to grip your audience and set the tone for what’s coming.

13. Larry Smith

Opening: “I want to discuss with you this afternoon why you’re going to fail to have a great career.”

14. Jane McGonigal

Opening: “You will live 7.5 minutes longer than you would have otherwise, just because you watched this talk.”

How to use provocative statements to start your speech?

Making a provocative statement creates a keen desire among the audience to want to know more about what you have to say. It immediately brings everyone into attention.

Larry Smith did just that by making his opening statement surprising, lightly humorous, and above all – fearful. These elements lead to an opening statement which creates so much curiosity among the audience that they need to know how your speech pans out.

This one time, I remember seeing a speaker start a speech with, “Last week, my best friend committed suicide.” The entire crowd was gripped. Everyone could feel the tension in the room.

They were just waiting for the speaker to continue to know where this speech will go.

That’s what a hard-hitting statement does, it intrigues your audience so much that they can’t wait to hear more! Just a tip, if you do start off with a provocative, hard-hitting statement, make sure you pause for a moment after saying it.

Silence after an impactful statement will allow your message to really sink in with the audience.

Related article: 5 Ways to Grab Your Audience’s Attention When You’re Losing it!

15. Ramona J Smith

Opening: In a boxing stance, “Life would sometimes feel like a fight. The punches, jabs and hooks will come in the form of challenges, obstacles and failures. Yet if you stay in the ring and learn from those past fights, at the end of each round, you’ll be still standing.”

How to use your full body to grip the audience at the beginning of your speech?

In a talk, the audience is expecting you to do just that – talk. But when you enter the stage and start putting your full body into use in a way that the audience does not expect, it grabs their attention.

Body language is critical when it comes to public speaking. Hand gestures, stage movement, facial expressions are all things that need to be paid attention to while you’re speaking on stage. But that’s not I’m talking about here.

Here, I’m referring to a unique use of the body that grips the audience, like how Ramona did. By using her body to get into a boxing stance, imitating punches, jabs and hooks with her arms while talking – that’s what got the audience’s attention.

The reason I say this is so powerful is because if you take Ramona’s speech and remove the body usage from her opening, the entire magic of the opening falls flat.

While the content is definitely strong, without those movements, she would not have captured the audience’s attention as beautifully as she did with the use of her body.

So if you have a speech opening that seems slightly dull, see if you can add some body movement to it.

If your speech starts with a story of someone running, actually act out the running. If your speech starts with a story of someone reading, actually act out the reading.

It will make your speech opening that much more impactful.

Related article: 5 Body Language Tips to Command the Stage

Level up your public speaking in 15 minutes!

Get the exclusive Masterclass video delivered to your inbox to see immediate speaking results.

You have successfully joined our subscriber list.

Final Words

So there it is! 15 speech openings from some of my favourite speeches. Hopefully, these will act as a guide for you to create your own opening which is super impactful and sets you off on the path to becoming a powerful public speaker!

But remember, while a speech opening is super important, it’s just part of an overall structure.

If you’re serious about not just creating a great speech opening but to improve your public speaking at an overall level, I would highly recommend you to check out this course: Acumen Presents: Chris Anderson on Public Speaking on Udemy. Not only does it have specific lectures on starting and ending a speech, but it also offers an in-depth guide into all the nuances of public speaking. 

Being the founder of TED Talks, Chris Anderson provides numerous examples of the best TED speakers to give us a very practical way of overcoming stage fear and delivering a speech that people will remember. His course has helped me personally and I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking to learn public speaking. 

No one is ever “done” learning public speaking. It’s a continuous process and you can always get better. Keep learning, keep conquering and keep being awesome!

Lastly, if you want to know how you should NOT open your speech, we’ve got a video for you:

Hrideep Barot

Enroll in our transformative 1:1 Coaching Program

Schedule a call with our expert communication coach to know if this program would be the right fit for you

how to speech in english in school

Go From Passive to Assertive with These 6 Top Tips

Feeling Nervous? Congratulations, You Care

Feeling Nervous? Congratulations, You Care

How to Brag Like a Pro as a Speaker

How to Brag Like a Pro as a Speaker

how to speech in english in school

Get our latest tips and tricks in your inbox always

Copyright © 2023 Frantically Speaking All rights reserved

  • Personal Development
  • Sales Training
  • Business Training
  • Time Management
  • Leadership Training
  • Book Writing
  • Public Speaking
  • Live Speaker Training With Brian
  • See Brian Speak
  • Coaching Programs
  • Become a Coach
  • Personal Success
  • Sales Success
  • Business Success
  • Leadership Success

How to Start a Speech: The Best Ways to Capture Your Audience

You’ve heard the saying,  “First impressions are lasting; you never get a second chance to create a good first impression” —  right?

The same is true when talking about how to start a speech…

The truth is, when you start your speech, you must focus everything on making a positive first impression on your audience members (especially if you are doing the presentation virtually ). Capturing the audience’s attention from the very beginning is crucial to prevent them from being distracted, losing interest, or forming negative opinions.

The introduction is the formal greeting for speeches, so let’s be sure to get this right to hook the audience. Understanding the importance of speech openings can significantly impact making a strong first impression. Planning and delivering the first words with confidence and relevance is essential, as they set the tone for the entire presentation and ensure you deliver a professional start, free from hesitation or irrelevance.

Here are 15 different ways to start a speech as well as 2 extra BONUS tips at the end.

1) Thank the Organizers and Audience

You can start by thanking the audience for coming and thanking the organization for inviting you to speak.

Refer to the person who introduced you or to one or more of the senior people in the organization in the audience.

This compliments them, makes them feel proud and happy about your presence, and connects you to the audience like an electrical plug in a socket.

2) Start With a Positive Statement

A presentation tip at the start is to tell the audience members how much they will like and enjoy what you have to say.

For example, you might say:

“You’re really going to enjoy the time we spend together this evening. I’m going to share with you some of the most important ideas that have ever been discovered in this area.”

Remember that  speaking is an art,  so be an artist and take complete control of your performance,

3) Compliment the Audience

You can begin by complimenting the audience members sincerely and with great respect.

Smile as if you are really glad to see them as if they are all old friends of yours that you have not seen for quite a while.

You can tell them that it is a great honor for you to be here, that they are some of the most important people in this business or industry, and that you are looking forward to sharing some key ideas with them.

You could say something like:

“It is an honor to be here with you today. You are the elite, the top 10 percent of people in this industry. Only the very best people in any field will take the time and make the sacrifice to come so far for a conference like this.”

4) Start Your Speech With the First Sentence Referring to Current Events

Use a current event front-page news story to transition into your subject and to illustrate or prove your point. You can bring a copy of the newspaper and hold it up as you refer to it in your introduction.

This visual image of you holding the paper and reciting or reading a key point rivets the audience’s attention and causes more people to lean forward to hear what you have to say.

5) Refer to a Historical Event

For many years, I studied military history…

Especially the lives and campaigns of the great generals and the decisive battles they won. One of my favorites was Alexander the Great. Standing in the symbolic shadow of such historical figures can provide a powerful and engaging start to any speech, especially when drawing parallels to contemporary challenges.

One day, I was asked to give a talk on leadership principles to a roomful of managers for a Fortune 500 company.

I decided that the campaign of Alexander the Great against Darius of Persia would make an excellent story that would illustrate the leadership qualities of one of the great commanders in history.

I opened my talk with these words:

“Once upon a time there was a young man named Alex who grew up in a poor country. But Alex was a little bit ambitious. From an early age, he decided that he wanted to conquer the entire known world. But there was a small problem.

Most of the known world was under the control of a huge multinational called the Persian Empire, headed by King Darius II. To fulfill his ambition, Alex was going to have to take the market share away from the market leader, who was very determined to hold on to it.

This is the same situation that exists between you and your major competitors in the market today. You are going to have to use all your leadership skills to win the great marketing battles of the future.”

6) Refer to a Well Known Person

You can start by quoting a well-known person or publication that recently made an interesting or important statement.

One of the subjects I touch upon regularly is the importance of continual personal development.

I will say something like:

“In the twenty-first century, knowledge and know-how are the keys to success. As basketball coach Pat Riley said, ‘If you are not getting better, you are getting worse.’”

7) Refer to a Recent Conversation

Start by telling a story about a recent conversation with someone in attendance.

For instance, I might say:

“A few minutes ago, I was talking with Tom Robinson in the lobby. He told me that this is one of the very best times to be working in this industry, and I agree.”

8) Make a Shocking Statement With a Startling Fact

You can start your talk by making a shocking statement of some kind.

For example, you might say something like:

“Here’s a startling fact: According to a recent study, there will be more change, more competition, and more opportunities in this industry in the next year than ever before. And 72 percent of the people in this room will be doing something different within two years if they do not rapidly adapt to these changes.”

Click here If you want to learn more techniques to wow your audience.

9) Quote From Recent Research

You can start by quoting a relevant, recent research report.

One example is:

“According to a story in a recent issue of Businessweek, there were almost 11 million millionaires in America in 2018, most of them self-made.”

10) Start Your Speech With a Strong Opening By Giving Them Hope

The French philosopher Gustav Le Bon once wrote, “The only religion of mankind is, and always has been hope.”

When you speak effectively, you give people hope of some kind.

Remember, the ultimate purpose of public speaking, is to inspire people to do things that they would not have done in the absence of your comments.

Everything you say should relate to the actions you want people to take and the reasons that they should take those actions.

11) Be Entertaining

Bill Gove used to walk onto the stage after his introduction if he had just finished talking to someone on the side and was breaking off to give his talk to the group.

The audience got the feeling that his entire talk was one continuous conversation, devoid of meaningless filler words .

Bill would often go to the edge of the stage and then drop his voice in a conspiratorial way, open his arms, and beckon the audience members to come a little closer.

He would say, “Come here, let me tell you something,” and then he would wave them forward as though he was about to tell a secret to the entire room.

The amazing thing was that everyone in the room would lean forward to hear this “secret” that he was about to share. People would all suddenly realize what they were doing and break out in laughter. It was a wonderful device to get the audience into the palm of his hands.

12) Ask a Question

You can open by making a positive statement and then pose a rhetorical question to engage your audience and set the stage for your presentation.

Try something like this:

“This is a great time to be alive and in business in America. But let me ask you, what does it truly mean to be self-employed in today’s economy?”

Raise your hand to indicate what you want people to do. I have used this line, and after a moment of thought, I then say to someone who looks intrigued in the front, “How many people here feel truly self-employed?”

Invariably, someone will say, “We all do!”

I then compliment and affirm the answer: “You’re right! We are all self-employed, from the time we take our first jobs to the day that we retire; we all work for ourselves, no matter who signs our paychecks.”

Similarly, a 17-year-old science fair winner effectively engaged their audience with a question at the beginning of their TED Talk, showcasing the power of this technique.

13) Open With a Problem

You can start with a problem that must be solved. If it is a problem that almost everyone has in common, you will immediately have the audience’s complete and undivided attention.

For example, you could say:

“Fully 63 percent of baby boomers are moving toward retirement without enough money put aside to provide for themselves for as long as they are going to live. We must address this problem and take action immediately to ensure that each person who retires will be able to live comfortably for the rest of his or her natural life.”

Introducing a new idea at this point can be a powerful way to engage your audience further, by promising a solution that is both innovative and beneficial.

14) Make a Strong Statement, Then Ask a Question

You can start by making a strong and powerful statement and then ask a question. You then follow with an answer and ask another question. This gets people immediately involved and listening to your every word.

Here’s an example:

“Twenty percent of the people in our society make 80 percent of the money. Are you a member of the top 20 percent? If not, would you like to join the top 20 percent or even the top 10 percent? Well, in the next few minutes, I am going to give you some ideas to help you become some of the highest-paid people in our society. Would that be a good goal for our time together today?”

15) Tell a Personal Story

You can start your talk with a personal story. Some of the most powerful words to capture the complete attention of the audience and make a personal connection are, “Once upon a time…”

From infancy and early childhood, people love stories of any kind. When you start off a presentation with a personal anecdote using the words, “Once upon a time…” you tell the audience that a relatable story is coming. People immediately settle down, become quiet, and lean forward, eager to hear how your experience might mirror their own or offer them new insights.

When I conduct full-day seminars and I want to bring people back to their seats after a break, I will say loudly, “Once upon a time there was a man, right here in this city…”

As soon as I say these words, people hurry back to their seats and begin to listen attentively, connecting with the story on a personal level.

Incorporating a personal story is very effective.

In fact, it’s probably one of the best public speaking tips I’ve learned to this day.

Bonus Tip: Tell Them About Yourself

Very often, I will start a serious speech or presentation to a business, sales, or entrepreneurial group by saying:

“I started off without graduating from high school. My family had no money. Everything I accomplished in life I had to do on my own with very little help from anyone else.”

It is amazing how many people come up to me after a talk that began with those words and tells me that was their experience as well.

They tell me that they could immediately identify with me because they too had started with poor grades and limited funds, as most people do. As a result, they were open to the rest of my talk, even a full-day seminar, and felt that everything I said was more valid and authentic than if I had been a person who started off with a successful background.

Building a bridge like this is very helpful in bringing the audience onto your side.

Bonus Tip: Get Them Talking to One Another

You can ask people to turn to the person next to them to discuss a particular point.

For instance, you could say:

“Tell the person next to you what you would like to learn from this seminar.”

Whatever you ask your audience members to do, within reason, they will do it for you. Your commands and your thought leadership will easily influence them, as long as you ask them with confidence.

By following any one of these tips for starting your speech, you are sure to grab your audience’s attention every time. How do you start a speech? Let me know in the comments.

« Previous Post How to Develop Self-Discipline to Succeed Next Post » 15 Simple Ways to Be Successful in Life

About Brian Tracy — Brian is recognized as the top sales training and personal success authority in the world today. He has authored more than 60 books and has produced more than 500 audio and video learning programs on sales, management, business success and personal development, including worldwide bestseller The Psychology of Achievement. Brian's goal is to help you achieve your personal and business goals faster and easier than you ever imagined. You can follow him on Twitter , Facebook , Pinterest , Linkedin and Youtube .

  • Most Recent
  • Using Parkinson's Law to Increase Your Productivity
  • How To Publish A Book: Your Go-To Guide To Becoming An Author
  • Potential Ways To Make More Money: 20 Creative Ideas
  • Top 10 Leadership Qualities of Great Leaders
  • How to Write a Book: Proven Start-to-Finish Steps
  • Free Webinar: How To Write a Book and Become a Published Author
  • Free Video Series: 3-Part Sales Mastery Training Series
  • Free Assessment: The Confidence Factor
  • Free Assessment: Discovering Your Talents

Browse Categories

  • Financial Success

Follow Brian & Join the Discussion

  • Free Resources
  • Best Sellers
  • Knowledge Base
  • Shipping & Returns
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Brian
  • Brian Recommends

Your Privacy is Guaranteed. We will never give, lease or sell your personal information. Period!

© Copyright 2001-2024 Brian Tracy International. All Rights Reserved.

My Speech Class

Public Speaking Tips & Speech Topics

224 School Speech Topics for All Grades [High School, Middle School, Elementary]

Photo of author

Jim Peterson has over 20 years experience on speech writing. He wrote over 300 free speech topic ideas and how-to guides for any kind of public speaking and speech writing assignments at My Speech Class.

In this article:

High School

Middle school, elementary school, school speech topics checklists, list of school speech topics.

school speech topics

  • Girls are under more pressure in high school.
  • Schools must not sell unhealthy foods.
  • Cyberbullies should be suspended from school.
  • Peer pressure will help students grow.
  • Parents must not pay kids for good grades.
  • Students don’t spend enough time reading books.
  • Class sizes make a big difference.
  • Schools must get involved with obese students weight issues.
  • All students should join the gym.
  • Schools should offer rewards for good test scores.
  • Cheerleading isn’t a sport.
  • The media is to blame for the pressure of girls wanting perfect bodies.
  • Mass-shooting in schools can be prevented.
  • 16 is an appropriate age to start dating.
  • The in crowd is usually the most insecure group.
  • Failing is a blessing in disguise.
  • Students do not know how to live in the moment.
  • Fashion isn’t all that important.
  • The methods used to deal with bullies are not effective.
  • Private schools are not better than government schools.
  • Co-ed schools are better than single-gender schools.
  • Recess time must be extended.
  • Standardized tests are not a measure of a students ability.
  • Textbooks shouldn’t be replaced by technology in high schools.
  • Students shouldn’t be graded for gym.
  • Birth control should be available at schools.
  • Cheating at school is getting worse.
  • Sugary drinks should not be sold at school.
  • Healthy school lunches are a lost cause.
  • Boys hide their body image pressure.
  • Smoking makes students outcasts.
  • ‘Name and shame’ does not change teenage behaviour.
  • Bystanders must be held responsible for not intervening when there is trouble at school.
  • Gay students need older gay role models.
  • It should be illegal for under 21’s to buy cigarettes.
  • Grouping students by ability only benefit the smartest ones.
  • Students are less religious than their parents.
  • It is important to have a mix of friends to socialize with.
  • Kids purposely make parenting hard.
  • Helping a friend isn’t always good.
  • Not every teacher has the ability to inspire students.
  • High school kids don’t need helicopter parents.
  • High schools don’t recognize a student’s full potential.
  • Class sizes should not exceed 20 students.
  • Extra online classes are worth it.
  • School should be all year round.
  • Parents embarrass their kids too much.
  • Attractive students have an advantage over others.
  • Students have no interest in government matters.
  • Hard work is more important than talent.
  • The morning after pill shouldn’t have an age restriction.
  • Group work in class should be kept small.
  • The best way to learn is alone.
  • Teachers don’t use technology to its full potential.
  • Dropping out of high school should be an illegal offense.
  • The racial make up of a school is important.
  • Outings to museums have no educational value.
  • Creativity isn’t something that can be taught.
  • Students have too much workload.
  • Untidy handwriting is a sign of intelligence.
  • Student’s interests will change in high school.
  • It is important to take career assessment tests.
  • Students do not have to get involved with everything in high school.
  • Weekend jobs make students more responsible.
  • It is important that students volunteer in fields of interest.
  • Students must know their place in the classroom.
  • Teachers want to create leaders.
  • Tutors are necessary even with good grades.
  • Locker room talk is demeaning to female students.
  • Driving must be taught in High School.
  • Plagiarism is getting out of hand.
  • The importance of not being a follower.
  • Students should focus school work ahead of a social life.
  • Students should leave a team if they are never chosen to play.
  • Leaving high school with no clear career path isn’t a bad thing.
  • Students should always have condoms with them.
  • Never shrug off small assignments.
  • High school should be treated as if it were a job.
  • Web filters at school are not restrictive enough.
  • There is too much focus on sports in high schools.
  • All students should get involved in exchange programs.
  • Group projects only cause conflict.
  • Teachers should be allowed to refuse problem students in their classes.
  • Principals don’t help develop teachers enough.
  • Corporal punishment is abuse.
  • Robotics now and in the future – is it helpful in the daycare business?
  • Your most embarrassing moment at school and the way you saved your face, solve and fix the awkward situation.
  • Amazing discoveries or facts you have never heard of before and like to introduce to your class.
  • Adventure racing and famous heroes on motorbikes – so-called off the road movie clips could be nice video aids Such as Steppenwolf.
  • Astronomical signs and their meanings. Make it personal by asking a volunteer to give all the info you need.
  • Nursing your parents when they get older. Lots of young people do that in their spare time, and they do not often speak about it. Take a chance and show them the world of voluntary care by friends, children, and neighbors.
  • Islands in Oceania, in the tropical Pacific Ocean region. There where the date line starts.
  • Railroads and trains from 1850, and great train builders and engineers is a high school speech topic to work out.
  • How to visit and enjoy an art museum with an audio guide tour on your ears.
  • Strange experiences in a restaurant or bar and the moral lesson you draw after that.
  • Hurricanes, how they start and their international accepted standards for name giving (boys and girls names from a to z).
  • Food photography is much difficult than you think.
  • A narrow escape from trouble …
  • How to organize surprise parties.
  • Why are television soaps popular – did you know a whole team of scenarists writes the storylines – often three per edition?
  • I want a new law on … Well feel free to repair and remedy abuses.
  • What do you think about often when you enter the school?
  • What have you always wanted to do and did not have the courage to ask or really act?
  • What would you like to change and why? This one is especially good as graduation input and output.
  • Things we can’t understand.
  • What are your community activities?
  • Suggestions for a school field trip in the autumn.
  • Dream explanation, ask for dreams, explain them. Consult dream reading professional and keep away from the shabby occult business.
  • Rhetorical questions, Socratical debating techniques.
  • Great places to go in the world.
  • Hiking trails nobody knows and you want to share.
  • See Europe in seven days after high school!

Middle school speech topics for public speaking and oral writing assignments from outdoor activities to Greyhound racing and Rodeo riding to sports games. I have brought into being several themes, suggestions and easy to develop ideas for school:

  • My hobby and pet peeves.
  • Free time activities that you can recommend.
  • What brands or products are popular in this school and why?
  • Unusual experiences in the last year.
  • Outdoor activities, and indoor activities on a rainy day.
  • Why we are no longer kids but are called young adults.
  • Suggestions for fun weekends.
  • Animation characters and their voices.
  • Antarctica research of penguins.
  • Aviation pioneers.
  • Celebrities, actors, and actresses.
  • Computer games are great middle school speech topics if you have an interested audience who likes to game at home.
  • Flying discs tricks on the beach side.
  • Foreign flags and their story – perhaps you should play the anthems too for a full picture.
  • Reasons to abandon grounding rules.
  • Rodeo riding: how to survive more than 30 seconds on the riding machine 🙂
  • Strange world records set in history.
  • Skateboarding tips and tricks, safe on the sidewalks.
  • Greyhound racing and the bet systems that are used.
  • The world would be a better place if … (fill in your highest dreams)
  • Environmental problems in our community.
  • Fashion trends in the last century.
  • Pen pals or email pals; how traditional patterns have changed.
  • My favourite sports games on television.
  • My checklist for if you move to another town.
  • Kid cooking is cool – if you know how to prep recipes 🙂
  • My trip abroad to Europe or Latin-America.
  • Monitoring butterflies in the field outside and in our garden.
  • Aztec masks and their amazing stories and secrets hidden inside.
  • Mythological monsters such as the Minotaur and Nymphs.
  • How to organize a fun weekend for the whole family.
  • If I was born hundred years ago, I would be …:
  • African masks and their meaning in holy rituals.
  • Ancient Chinese emperors and their interesting uniform and dress looks.
  • The Ice Age; when, how and the causes are good K-6 subjects to come across.
  • Pollution sources in our world, and what to do about them in a cost-friendly way at home.
  • A Day In the life of a kid in Ancient Rome, compare it with your own modern life.
  • Discovering caves are cool grade 6 speech topics to tell something more and show them the work of speleologists.
  • Traditional fairy tales from around the world – remember the thick book of the Grimm Brothers?
  • Puppets and their funny looking but indeed very serious theatrical performances from Java, Indonesia.
  • The Diary of Anne Frank (book or movie) and the meaning today.
  • My penpal or better: email-pal from the other side of the world.
  • The secrets of the Egypt King Tutankhamun.
  • If I was a journalist, I should investigate …
  • If I won one million dollars, I would …
  • When I am grown up I want to become a / an …
  • Last weekend I was at …
  • The funniest thing that ever happened to me this month or year.
  • Things that make you happy right away if you have the power to buy or dictate.
  • Ways I use to relax.
  • Favorite sports moments.
  • The character I want to be in a movie the hero with heroic courage / or the villain who gets the worst of it in the end.
  • My most memorable vacation trip till now.
  • The best summer camp games I have ever played and enjoyed very much.
  • My favorite spot in the woods near our cabin.
  • Your most favorite memories are also great grade 6 speech topics too to talk about in school.
  • When you take a walk in the woods, you can see more than you might think …
  • Recipes for kids, orally like your favorite meals and food.
  • Cool home computer games I like to play, criticize, review and share in class.
  • The day I was sick and I must see the doctor.
  • Pot and care for a plant or small vegetable ishard labor and needs patience.
  • How to make a marionette puppet – a grade 8 speech topic for the artistic
  • Birds in our backyard, you’re perplexed about the miles they flew to get there.
  • Oceans of the world: Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Southern, and Arctic gulf streams.
  • A ride in a truck for transporting heavy objects.
  • What is a decent dress code for a serious dinner at official moments:
  • My musical instrument and the lessons I take.
  • Why giraffes have long necks.
  • Animals I should take in Noah’s Ark – and the philosophy behind it.
  • Why I like to dance my favorite dance.
  • I cope with fear of public speaking for this grade 8 speech by … (secret tactic)
  • Magic tricks with simple playing cards for every unexpected occassion.
  • Exotic fruits and vegetables in grocery stores; look up where they come from.
  • Best 3D paper models: cars, robots, spaceships, airplanes, buildings.
  • Things to expect when your mother is pregnant.
  • Birds, bears and rabbits spend the winter by sleeping, why?
  • My first visit to a dentist: the correct way to brush and floss your teeth.
  • Family members I admire: uncles, aunts, nieces or nephews.
  • Music festivals and the big logistics puzzle of the organizing parties involved.
  • History of the Panama Canal, and the way the pilotage handle very big ships.
  • How does global warming affect the icebergs?
  • If I was my father or mother for one day.
  • My favorite era in history.
  • What’s in my room at home.
  • The school field trip I would like to make.

Elementary school speech topics on animal keeping, favorite things to do at home or the playground and specific hints that lead to innumerable variations:

  • What makes me happy.
  • Our last vacation trip.
  • Fairy tale characters you would like to talk with.
  • Magic tricks you can show.
  • Funny things my pet has done. A great quantity of this special theme is to be sorted out of animals and keeing them at home. Do consult your atending if you may bring an animal in class. In case of hesitation – do not cross this line:
  • My favorite family story.
  • Oceans in the world.
  • My neighbourhood.
  • Funny Halloween costumes, inspires to lots of funny elementary school speech topics.
  • A visit to the doctor, dentist.
  • How does it feel to wake up an being a giant?
  • Places I lived.
  • Why I want to travel in space to the interstellair universe.
  • The best paper airplanes withput less folding work.
  • How boomerangs return to their sender.
  • Circus clowns in all sorts and characters.
  • My one-day internship at the fire department.
  • Fireworks on New Year’s Eve.
  • The best fishing spots.
  • My best birthday ever.
  • I am good at …
  • This is the song I like to sing every day is: …
  • Making puzzles of thouands pieces and the tricks I have learned.
  • Police uniforms or fire department attire outfits.
  • What can you see in the zoo?
  • Musical instruments in an full orchestra.

School speech topics tips for verification and 1-2-3 step checking at the secondary middle, high and elementary public speaking homework assignments on teaching skills. In a nutshell: they are easy to answer questions to make a better choice for creating the best result.

Also on this page, you will discover tips to concrete communication issues and education resources. They lead you in the right direction; you only have to use your fantasy.

Let the imaginary juices flow in your brains!

Can We Write Your Speech?

Get your audience blown away with help from a professional speechwriter. Free proofreading and copy-editing included.

Read all my checks for writing subjects and after you have completed that task follow all secure education idea links to the online education lists I have shaped and modified in class education material:

STEP 1

STEP 2

More aggravated lists of themes and valuable information regarding different subjects for future generations education are below. As well as a summary of the implications and / or requirements of what you have found, and school speech topics you could analyze in class.

You can sort out any ideas you like to talk about in oral lessons, scan the possible suggestions and think about what your audience like to hear you talking about: cite short passages and quotation excerpts from well-known experts in the field of research, or refer to good knowledge illustrations and sustainable proof.

Learn to gather material from outside sources about your thread for grades 9 through 12 learning, and deliver your opinion strongly and concisely. Give plain reasons for something you believe. Foster support for your solution, theory or device.

This is principally beneficial for achieving higher education institute assertiveness when you are on stage and put two or more views together, and provide a reason for putting them together by logical reasoning. Another method is approaching the subject matter in both positive and negative lights.

Tracing how something has induced artificially from an earlier state to its current form could welcomed by higher pedagogic instructors.

Next tip: workout extensive information on indoor and outdoor recreation activities to tempt your public to explore other activities than dating, dancing and drinking in a local bar.

Sports is a candidate for finding senior graded school speech topics. E.g. sport as profession to earn a living. With a scientific twist you make it more sophisticated, and because you’re highly qualified and have an actively learning attitude you are able to get their thesis commitment.

Some moves that matter in lower classes are the so-called critize teaching skills, often described as asking and wondering through critical inquiry:

You can help your teacher and fill her or him with enthusiasm by going extracurricular in proposing a particular judgment on a certain top topicality and examen the validity of the arguments by criticizing. This has been in practice in the late seventies – when things went the old-fashioned and more severe way 🙂 – but this technique has made a terrific comeback and is now used in grades 5 through 8 homework assignments.

Many of my visitors look for sixth grade inspiration, or class 6 if you live in India, Bangladesh and Pakistan, Primary 5 or 6 in Singapore, and 6ГЁme in France for example. Anyway, in what country you are right now does not matter; all school speech topics are created for children in the range of eleven and twelve years old.

The same holds good for class conversations of (usually) thirteen to fourteen years old who try to cover explanations of various objects and their meaning in the accustomed world of the eight grade population.

Children speak the truth, is often said 🙂 And that saying is more than true. Give them something to chew on in public – from colouring plates to planting and caring for trees – and it is so easy, a younger persons can do it 🙂

More for girls and boys – although it depends on the specific age or progress of the pupils – can be found at this index number two. Help them to be able to get to know the material, and to make the first steps on the path of learning the rudimentary public speaking skills (that are valuable for their whole life).

I have shaped a list that also contains some reference information for nursery and primary and kindergarten material.

STEP 3

10 Tips to Write the Best High School Valedictorian Speech

Ceremonial Speech Topics

9 thoughts on “224 School Speech Topics for All Grades [High School, Middle School, Elementary]”

The topics are 1: the worst day in my life 2: how can we take care of our elders at home. 3: good qualities about your classmates. 4: how I learnt cycling. 5: if you are alone at home and a stranger enters what would you do.

My topic ideas are: Why I hate speeches (for middle school or elementary school) My favorite type of music (for elementary school) Why parents shouldn’t spank their children and better ways to punish children (for elementary school)

The key to success is positive thinking

My favorite holiday

Wow. Just wow.

mental health is an important issue

“Prayer should be compulsory”…that’s my suggestion of a topic

At school there should be a free period where you can do anything you want

Why is the canteen so expensive?

Leave a Comment

I accept the Privacy Policy

Reach out to us for sponsorship opportunities

Vivamus integer non suscipit taciti mus etiam at primis tempor sagittis euismod libero facilisi.

© 2024 My Speech Class

Improving Your English

How to speak English fluently: Expert strategies to perfect your language skills

how to speech in english in school

When you can speak English fluently it opens up new opportunities, connects you with people from different cultures, and expands your horizons in life.

But what does it even mean to speak fluent English , and what are some practical steps you can take to reach a level of fluency you are happy with?

In this article we have 8 practical tips, tools, and strategies for how to speak English fluently , covering everything from vocabulary expansion to pronunciation techniques.

Give these a try and you’ll be well on your way to greater confidence, clarity, and fluency in English.

What is a fluent English speaker?

Fluency in English is not about speaking the language perfectly but being able to communicate with confidence and a natural flow .

A fluent English speaker can understand others and express themselves easily in English conversation, without hesitation or frequent interruptions to check for comprehension.

In terms of CEFR levels , C1 (Advanced) is considered the point at which you can express yourself fluently in any situation. However, even at level B2 (Upper-Intermediate), learners start to experience fluency in terms of becoming confident speaking about unfamiliar topics.

Keep in mind that even native English speakers can struggle with certain grammar rules and obscure words, so don’t get discouraged if some aspects of the language present a challenge.

See fluency as a journey, not a destination. As an English learner , there will always be more for you to learn and improve on – so enjoy the ride and don’t forget to look back and see how far you’ve come!

How to speak English fluently: meeting with friends to practice English and gain fluency

8 Tips to become fluent in English

Let’s get onto our tips to speak English fluently and confidently so you can make the language a bigger part of your life.

1. Embrace daily English exposure

Consistent exposure to English is key to improving your skill level. Integrating English practice into your daily routine can help you improve your speaking, listening, and comprehension skills.

The easiest way to do this is through English immersion . Although you may not be able to live in an English-speaking country, you can do plenty of other things to expose yourself to English throughout your everyday life.

These include:

  • Listening to podcasts in English
  • Reading the news to learn English words about new topics
  • Switching the language on your phone and other devices to English
  • Practicing sports or hobbies with English-speaking friends
  • Using an English learning app to complete short lessons every day

Actively seeking English exposure and diversifying your learning methods can quicken your journey toward fluency.

2. Build a strong vocabulary foundation

Effective communication in English requires a rich vocabulary. This means having all the words you need to express yourself precisely and concisely.

For instance, using words like “fortunate” instead of “very lucky” or “exceptional” instead of “very good” adds precision to your language. Find some more synonyms for ‘very’ here.

To expand your vocabulary, try memorizing example sentences along with new words, as this helps you learn and remember new vocabulary in a more natural way. Spaced repetition is another effective technique for actively reviewing words and retaining them in your long-term memory.

Don’t forget to learn about American and British English vocabulary differences so you can speak confidently with people from different countries.

We have more tips for learning new English words in a separate guide.

3. Prioritize pronunciation and accent

Pronouncing words clearly is fundamental to fluent English speech. You may also need to work on reducing your native accent so that people can understand you more easily when you speak English.

Here are a few techniques you can use to practice pronunciation and sound more like a native English speaker.

Practicing phonetics

Phonetics plays a key role in helping learners grasp and articulate English sounds with precision. By practicing phonetic exercises, you can master English pronunciation and sound more like a native speaker.

This website has a great list of pronunciation exercises that you can do to master different sounds used in the English language.

Another helpful technique is to practice tongue twisters ; fun phrases designed to challenge your pronunciation skills. Choose tongue twisters that use simple words and target sounds you struggle with the most, as this will help you improve your skills quickly. Here’s one to get you started:

She sells seashells on the sea shore.

Consistent phonetic practice will build your confidence and enhance your English speaking fluency.

You may also it helpful to take lessons with a personal language tutor who can give you individual guidance on your spoken language skills. Or, as a more budget-friendly option, language apps Mondly and Busuu both have speech recognition features to give you immediate feedback on how you pronounce words and phrases.

Observing native speakers

Simply observing native speakers can significantly improve your accent and pronunciation. By listening to their speech and imitating their pronunciation, rhythm, and intonation, you can enhance your own speaking skills.

You should also pay attention to the shapes people’s mouths form when they speak English, and try to copy these.

There is no shortage of content to help you with this strategy for speaking English fluently. Try it next time you are watching things such as:

  • YouTube videos
  • English movies

You may want to pause the video regularly to try and repeat what was said or to go over tricky words.

Of course, you can also do this by meeting up with native English speakers at a language club or other event, which will help with the next point as well!

friends chatting and practicing english speaking skills together

Engaging in conversation practice

Without conversation practice, you will end up with a lot of knowledge but probably not much fluency in English.

Speaking practice helps broaden your knowledge of the language and enhances your ability to think and respond quickly, as conversations often require immediate responses.

Moreover, practicing speaking allows you to learn from your mistakes and improve both your vocabulary and understanding.

It’s helpful to know some good conversation starters so that whether you’re in a classroom setting, enjoying dinner with friends, or just chatting to a stranger, you’ll always have something to talk about.

Meetups are also a good place to practice speaking English, as you’ll find people who are happy to have basic conversations and guide you to improve your pronunciation and accent.

Don’t be afraid to make mistakes; it’s a natural part of the learning process. Continued practice will enhance your confidence and fluency in speaking English.

4. Enhance listening and comprehension skills

The other main element required to speak fluently is listening comprehension . After all, it’s no good being very confident with what you say if you can’t understand another person’s response.

By exposing yourself to authentic spoken English through various media, you can become familiar with different English accents, intonations, idioms, and colloquial expressions . Some ways to do this include:

  • Watching English movies and TV shows to absorb new vocabulary, slang, expressions, and accents
  • Listening to English learning podcasts or audiobooks to practice understanding spoken English in different contexts
  • Engaging in conversations with native English speakers to improve your listening skills and learn from their natural speech patterns
  • Learning English idioms so you know the meaning of these figurative expressions and can use them yourself

Actively engaging with a variety of listening materials can help improve your spoken English and your understanding of others.

5. Master grammar and syntax

Although speaking English fluently does not mean having perfect grammar and never making mistakes, correct grammar and syntax (word order) are important for avoiding misunderstanding.

While it is true that even native English speakers can struggle with certain grammar rules , it is essential to dedicate time to understanding grammar and sentence structures to become a proficient English speaker.

There are plenty of resources available to help you improve your grammar skills , such as:

  • Grammar books
  • Online exercises
  • Language learning apps
  • Tutoring services

Identify your weak spots and focus on strengthening them to become a better English speaker. Consistent practice and study of grammar will refine your language abilities and improve your English fluency.

perfecting english grammar to become a fluent english speaker

6. Build confidence and overcome the fear of mistakes

Confidence in your English speaking abilities is key to achieving fluency and talking with a natural flow.

It’s completely normal to feel uncomfortable when speaking a new language, but putting yourself in English-speaking situations where you feel safe to make mistakes and learn from them will help you become more confident.

Don’t forget to celebrate your successes and remind yourself of how far you have already come on this journey. As your confidence grows, so will your ability to speak English fluently.

7. Utilize technology and online resources

Take advantage of the incredible websites, online courses, classes, and apps available to help English learners start speaking english more fluently without having to attend lessons in a physical classroom.

Online resources to check out include:

  • Online English courses and lessons
  • Websites for learning English
  • Language exchange platforms
  • Online games to learn English

These resources can help you practice speaking, listening, and comprehension at your own pace and convenience.

What is the best app to learn English speaking fluently?

If your goal is to speak English fluently, we recommend a language app that includes:

  • Lessons up to level C1 or above
  • Daily lessons
  • Speech recognition technology
  • Interactive conversations
  • A free trial or limited free content so you can decide whether it’s right for you

Gymglish , Mondly , and Busuu all meet these requirements and have other exciting features for you to explore.

Find the one that best suits your learning style, and you’ll be on your way to speaking fluent English with confidence.

gymglish english lessons free 1 month trial

8. Set realistic goals and track your progress

To maintain motivation and ensure success, it’s important to set realistic English learning goals and keep track of your progress.

By setting specific goals, such as memorizing ten new English words by the end of the week, you can provide direction and focus to your language learning journey.

Breaking down significant goals into smaller milestones can make them more achievable and less intimidating. For example, setting a longer-term target like holding a basic conversation in English after two months of study can be an incredibly motivating goal to work towards.

Setting achievable goals and measuring your progress will help maintain your motivation and lead to consistent improvement in your English speaking skills.

In conclusion, there is no set formula for how to speak english fluently and you should see it as a journey that requires dedication, practice, and the right resources.

Here’s a reminder of the areas you should try to incorporate daily as you develop your English language skills toward fluency:

  • Learning new English vocabulary
  • Pronunciation practice
  • Comprehension practice
  • Improving grammar
  • Building confidence

Embrace the learning process, set realistic goals, and utilize technology and online resources to accelerate your progress. The world awaits you as a confident and fluent English speaker!

What does ‘fluent English’ mean?

Speaking fluent English means that you can:

  • Express yourself confidently and without too much hesitation
  • Write and talk at length with a natural flow
  • Communicate effectively on a broad range of topics, even unfamiliar ones
  • Understand subtle jokes made in English

It doesn’t necessarily mean that you never make mistakes, although as you continue to practice regularly, your accuracy should improve too.

How many words do you need to know to be fluent in English?

To be fluent in English, you need to know around 5,000 words to understand 98% of most ordinary texts. However, native speakers typically know 15,000 to 20,000 word families in their first language.

It is important to note that vocabulary size alone does not guarantee fluency, as other English skills such as grammar, pronunciation, and cultural understanding also play a vital role in achieving fluency.

You can find some more interesting English language statistics here.

How long does it take to become fluent in English?

With dedicated study and practice, an adult can become fluent in English in an average of 2-3 years. This time frame can be influenced by factors such as the similarity between your native language and English, the amount and quality of practice, and your motivation and commitment to learning.

Learn more about how long it takes to learn English and what else affects this.

How do I know if I am fluent in English?

To gauge your fluency in English, consider the following:

  • Can you express your thoughts, ideas, and feelings in English without having to translate from your native language first?
  • Can you understand English spoken at a natural pace by native speakers?
  • Can you read English texts and understand the main ideas without frequently consulting a dictionary?
  • Can you write in English and convey your thoughts effectively?
  • Can you use English in a variety of contexts, such as at work, in social situations, or when traveling?

These are all good indicators of someone who speaks English fluently.

Learn a new language from home - get Lifetime Access to Mondly with 95% OFF!

10 Tips for Improving Your Public Speaking Skills

Few are immune to the fear of public speaking. Marjorie North offers 10 tips for speakers to calm the nerves and deliverable memorable orations.

Marjorie North

Snakes? Fine. Flying? No problem. Public speaking? Yikes! Just thinking about public speaking — routinely described as one of the greatest (and most common) fears — can make your palms sweat. But there are many ways to tackle this anxiety and learn to deliver a memorable speech.

In part one of this series,  Mastering the Basics of Communication , I shared strategies to improve how you communicate. In part two, How to Communicate More Effectively in the Workplace , I examined how to apply these techniques as you interact with colleagues and supervisors in the workplace. For the third and final part of this series, I’m providing you with public speaking tips that will help reduce your anxiety, dispel myths, and improve your performance.

Here Are My 10 Tips for Public Speaking:

1. nervousness is normal. practice and prepare.

All people feel some physiological reactions like pounding hearts and trembling hands. Do not associate these feelings with the sense that you will perform poorly or make a fool of yourself. Some nerves are good. The adrenaline rush that makes you sweat also makes you more alert and ready to give your best performance.

The best way to overcome anxiety is to prepare, prepare, and prepare some more. Take the time to go over your notes several times. Once you have become comfortable with the material, practice — a lot. Videotape yourself, or get a friend to critique your performance.

Communication Strategies: Presenting with Impact

Search all Communication programs.

2. Know Your Audience. Your Speech Is About Them, Not You.

Before you begin to craft your message, consider who the message is intended for. Learn as much about your listeners as you can. This will help you determine your choice of words, level of information, organization pattern, and motivational statement.

3. Organize Your Material in the Most Effective Manner to Attain Your Purpose.

Create the framework for your speech. Write down the topic, general purpose, specific purpose, central idea, and main points. Make sure to grab the audience’s attention in the first 30 seconds.

4. Watch for Feedback and Adapt to It.

Keep the focus on the audience. Gauge their reactions, adjust your message, and stay flexible. Delivering a canned speech will guarantee that you lose the attention of or confuse even the most devoted listeners.

5. Let Your Personality Come Through.

Be yourself, don’t become a talking head — in any type of communication. You will establish better credibility if your personality shines through, and your audience will trust what you have to say if they can see you as a real person.

6. Use Humor, Tell Stories, and Use Effective Language.

Inject a funny anecdote in your presentation, and you will certainly grab your audience’s attention. Audiences generally like a personal touch in a speech. A story can provide that.

7. Don’t Read Unless You Have to. Work from an Outline.

Reading from a script or slide fractures the interpersonal connection. By maintaining eye contact with the audience, you keep the focus on yourself and your message. A brief outline can serve to jog your memory and keep you on task.

8. Use Your Voice and Hands Effectively. Omit Nervous Gestures.

Nonverbal communication carries most of the message. Good delivery does not call attention to itself, but instead conveys the speaker’s ideas clearly and without distraction.

9. Grab Attention at the Beginning, and Close with a Dynamic End.

Do you enjoy hearing a speech start with “Today I’m going to talk to you about X”? Most people don’t. Instead, use a startling statistic, an interesting anecdote, or concise quotation. Conclude your speech with a summary and a strong statement that your audience is sure to remember.

10. Use Audiovisual Aids Wisely.

Too many can break the direct connection to the audience, so use them sparingly. They should enhance or clarify your content, or capture and maintain your audience’s attention.

Practice Does Not Make Perfect

Good communication is never perfect, and nobody expects you to be perfect. However, putting in the requisite time to prepare will help you deliver a better speech. You may not be able to shake your nerves entirely, but you can learn to minimize them.

Find related Communication programs.

Browse all Professional & Executive Development programs.

About the Author

North is a consultant for political candidates, physicians, and lawyers, and runs a private practice specializing in public speaking, and executive communication skills. Previously, she was the clinical director in the department of speech and language pathology and audiology at Northeastern University.

Why Gender Equity in the Workplace is Good for Business

Research indicates a correlation between gender equity and organizational success, yet it also points to obstacles for women in leadership.

Harvard Division of Continuing Education

The Division of Continuing Education (DCE) at Harvard University is dedicated to bringing rigorous academics and innovative teaching capabilities to those seeking to improve their lives through education. We make Harvard education accessible to lifelong learners from high school to retirement.

Harvard Division of Continuing Education Logo

Talk to our experts

1800-120-456-456

  • My School Speech

ffImage

Speech For Students on My School

Schools are considered as the temple of knowledge for students. Schools prepare the students to be future leaders and help them to face problems without any fear. Schools help students in understanding the importance of discipline and time management. 

Similarly, my school played an important role in shaping my life. The values and the character I developed during my school days helped me in facing the world and understanding the problems. 

Below my school speeches are given, a long speech on my school and a short speech on my school. Students can refer to this speech and prepare for any debate or essay writing competitions. 

Long Speech on My School

Good morning everyone! I would like to give a small speech about my school. As we all know schools are the temples of learning that teach students many things. School provides a balanced education which helps in improving the student’s both physically and mentally growth. Besides academics, there is a wide range of skills learned at school which includes good behaviour, communication skills, responsibility, time management, and sports skills. 

Schools are the first place where we learn new things. It is the place where new friends are made and those friendships sometimes are carried on throughout life. Schools are considered as heaven on earth and it is very hard to imagine the world without schools. 

Schools are the first place where we learn about various new things which help in our growth. Schools help us to learn how to balance life properly. Similarly, my school played an important role in my life. The man I am today is all because of what I learned during my school days. 

I studied in an all-boys school which was established in 1979. It has a very old building which looks like a huge mansion. It is the oldest school in my town. It has a history of producing toppers to the country. It has a  building which stands tall and has a renowned name across the city and  I am sure it will be for many years to come. 

For the past 30 years, my school has a track record of producing the highest number of toppers in the board exams, and that’s the reason many students want to get into it. 

The unique quality of my school is that it not only focuses on only academics but also gives a lot of importance to sports. 

When it comes to sports my school has the biggest playgrounds in the city for various sports like badminton, cricket, volleyball, throwball and many more. Because of this reason every year, an inter-level sports competition is held in my school’s playground. Fortunately, I was also part of the badminton team that won 2nd place at the all-school badminton championship. The various competitions held at my school help me realize the importance of fitness in my life and I want to thank my school for that.

In addition to the sports competition, various science competitions were also held annually in my school. Different science projects were presented and the best one was awarded a cash price and a trophy. During these competitions, students’ presentation and public speaking skills were tested. Despite being shy I participated in the competition but lost it as I was not very good at presenting my science project. During that time my teachers helped me and pointed out the mistakes which I made. It helped me a lot in the future as I worked on those mistakes and now I am not afraid. I thank my teachers for that. 

To conclude this speech, all I want to say is that I loved attending my school. It was my second home. A home where my friends were like my family members who cared for and loved each other. I feel lucky to have such friends in my life. It was the place where I felt enthusiastic to learn new things. A place where I learned the skills which helped me in facing the challenges fearlessly. Last but not least I would like to thank my teaching and non-teaching staff who were always polite and helped me whenever I needed them. 

Short Speech on My School

Good morning everyone! Today I would like to give a speech at my school. As we know schools are the temples of learning that teach students many things. Schools provide a balanced education that helps in improving a student both physically and mentally. 

Besides academics, different skills are taught at school that includes sports skill, communication skills, time management, and so on. Similarly, my school played an important role in my life. The man I am today is all because of what I learned during my school days. 

I studied in an all-boys school which was established in 1979. It is the oldest school in my town. It has a history of producing toppers to the country. It has a building that stands tall and has a renowned name across the city.

My school has a track record of producing the highest number of toppers in the board exams. The unique quality of my school is that it not only focuses on only academics but also gives a lot of importance to sports.

My school had the biggest playground in the city and because of that every year an inter-school competition is held in various sports like kabaddi, cricket, volleyball and so on. The winners are handed a trophy and a cash prize. 

Science competitions are also conducted in my school that test the ability of students’ presentation and public speaking skills. The winner of the competition was handed a trophy and a scholarship problem for further studies. 

To conclude this speech, all I want to say is that I loved attending my school. It was my second home. A home where my friends were like my family members who cared for and loved each other. A place where I learned the skills which helped me in facing the challenges fearlessly. Last but not least, I would like to thank my teaching and non-teaching staff who were always polite and helped me whenever I needed them. 

10 Lines on My School Speech In English

Schools are the first place where we learn new things. It is the place where new friends are made and those friendships sometimes are carried on throughout life.

Schools are considered as heaven on earth and it is very hard to imagine the world without schools. 

Schools help in learning new things which helps in the growth of a student.

For many years, my school had a record of producing the highest number of toppers and that’s the reason many students want to get into my school. 

My school was a complete package that taught me the importance of self-discipline in life. 

The teaching and the non-teaching staff at my school are very polite. They are always ready to help students.

My school has the largest playground in the city and that’s the reason every year inter-level sports competitions are held.  

Every year science competitions are held at my school that aims at improving the public speaking and the presentation skill of the students. 

The winner of the science competition is given a cash prize and a trophy. 

I love attending my school and it’s like my second home. A home where my friends are like my family members.

School Speech For Students

A school is one of the only places which act as a temple of education. The place is not only for teaching the students the many facts of life but also to have them develop their brains. With the schools playing an important role in a student’s life, many institutions require the students to write or give a speech on the topic “My School”. This might be introduced at any point of time in a student’s life. They may be asked to do this when they are in the 1st standard or when they are in the 10th standard. The marks, scores, or grading system may vary as per the students who are chosen to participate. 

Students can have a good preparation regarding such speeches which can make them realize their own potential for giving such speeches. These can also build their confidence. 

Teachers - A Helping Hand  

Students might be asked to give a long speech or a short speech. It all depends on the decision that the school has taken. Though it might be a competition among students, the teachers are encouraged to get involved as well. They can most certainly help the students in the whole process.

The duty actually falls onto the English teachers. They are the ones who can help the students more effectively. They can have the students take the step forward on their own and give the best speech without any grammatical or vocabulary errors. 

arrow-right

FAQs on My School Speech

1. Can the students mention the history of the school in their My School speech?

Yes, the students can definitely mention the history of the school in their My School speech. This is more of practice when they are giving a long speech that requires them to tell all about their school. One thing that they must keep in mind is to not make it boring, but interesting. The students are required to let the speech go in flow, from the very beginning and tell all about the changes and advancements that have happened over the years.

2. What is the best way to learn a My School speech?

Students, who are selected to give a My School speech can do so in an easy manner. They must first mention or take the pointers that must be included in their speech. They can then take the help of their teacher to structure the speech in such a way that it goes with a flow and they can easily remember it. They can also learn the speech in chronologically set lines which can remind them about the topics that were to be followed by another.

3. How can a student prepare for their best My School speech?

There are many approaches to prepare the best My School speech. A student may ask for somebody’s help. They can make a list of the things that must be included, all of which might be about achievements, academic success, the environment, or anything related. They can talk about the marvelous journey of their school as well. The students are, in fact, encouraged to talk about all they get to learn as well as about their teachers and how good they are.

4. Do the students only have to mention the academics of a school in their My School speech?

When it comes to giving a My School speech, it is not always necessary to mention only the academics. A student can also mention the many other things that help them get ahead in their school or just things that they simply like. Students may mention the attitude of the school staff in their My School speech along with the many amenities that they get to enjoy on a regular basis. They can also go forth with mentioning the type of platform that their school provides them.

5. How can one keep their My School speech short?

The students, in order to keep their My School speech short, ask for the help of their teachers. They can do this on their own as well, but it is always a good idea to take their teacher’s opinion. They must make sure that they are talking in the to the point manner that goes a long way in keeping their speech short. They must also ensure that their speech does not contain any unnecessary information that does not help the structure of the whole speech.

how to speech in english in school

Trump Falsely Claimed Kids Go to School and Come Back with 'Sex-Change Operations'

The former u.s. president repeated this claim during a september 2024 campaign speech delivered in tucson, arizona., jordan liles, published sept. 13, 2024.

False

About this rating

During the final stretch of former U.S. President Donald Trump's presidential campaign in 2024, a claim that attempts to tap into transphobia and U.S. parents' fears over what happens in schools without their knowledge or approval emerged as a recurring talking point.

On multiple occasions, Trump alleged — without citing evidence — that children have gone to school and returned home later having received gender-affirming surgeries, or that school officials somehow "changed the sex" of children.

For instance, while speaking to a crowd in Tucson, Arizona, on Sept. 12, 2024, Trump spoke of what he called "transgender insanity" occurring in the U.S., and then said, "Can you imagine your child goes to school and they don't even call you, and they change the sex of your child?"

The crowd's negative reaction suggested they believed he had described a documented scenario.

Trump: Can you imagine your child goes to school and they don't even call you and they change the sex of your child. pic.twitter.com/yuBORGBwY8 — Acyn (@Acyn) September 12, 2024

However, we uncovered no evidence of children going to school to receive any sort of sex-change operation or gender-affirming surgery. For this reason, and another we'll mention shortly, we rated this claim as "False."

Before the remark on Arizona, on Sept. 9, Trump said during a Wisconsin campaign rally, " Can you imagine you're a parent and your son leaves the house and you say, 'Jimmy, I love you so much, go have a good day in school,' and your son comes back with a brutal operation? Can you even imagine this? What the hell is wrong with our country?"

In an article that also debunked the assertion, NBC News reported:

About half the states ban transition-related surgery for minors, and even in states where such care is still legal, it is rare. In addition, guidelines from several major medical associations say a parent or guardian must provide consent before a minor undergoes gender-affirming care, including transition-related surgery, according to the American Association of Medical Providers. Most major medical associations in the U.S. support gender-affirming care for minors experiencing gender dysphoria. For those who opt for such care and have the support of their guardians and physicians, that typically involves puberty blockers for preteens and hormone replacement therapy for older teens.

Days before the Wisconsin speech, on Aug. 30, Trump uttered the same claim in slightly different words during a discussion with Tiffany Justice, co-founder of the conservative organization Moms for Liberty. 

Justice brought up the subject of children identifying as transgender, telling Trump, "There's been an explosion in the number of children who identify as transgender, and children are being taught that they were born in the wrong body. It's an incredibly abusive message to send. So let's talk a little bit about some of the things that you might be able to do as president."

Trump answered, "Well, you can do everything. President has such power. It does. It has such power."

Moments later, he added, "But the transgender thing is incredible. Think of it. Your kid goes to school and comes home a few days later with an operation. The school decides what's going to happen with your child. And you know, many of these childs [sic] 15 years later say, 'What the hell happened? Who did this to me?' They say, 'Who did this to me?' It's incredible."

Readers can watch these remarks in this video from the LiveNOW from Fox YouTube channel beginning at the 38:11 mark:

There's No Evidence of Children Receiving Gender-Affirming Surgeries at School

CNN extensively reported on this claim about children supposedly going to school and receiving gender-affirming surgeries, as well as other statements Trump made during the discussion with Justice. The article featured interviews with medical professionals who refuted the idea of childrens' surgeries being secretly carried out by or with the involvement of schools.

For example, Dr. Meredithe McNamara , an assistant professor of pediatrics specializing in adolescent medicine at the Yale School of Medicine, told CNN, "Of course everything in this statement is false," in reference to Trump's remark about children going to school and supposedly coming home "a few days later with an operation." By email, we asked McNamara whether she had ever seen evidence of even one such surgery occurring inside a U.S. school. She answered, "No, I absolutely have not."

In CNN's reporting, the network also said Justice responded to its correspondence, saying in part, "Are kids getting surgery in school? No they're not." CNN further reported that Trump's campaign shared no evidence of any such activity occurring inside schools.

Snopes contacted other professionals in the field of pediatrics and the Trump campaign, but we did not yet receive responses.

We reached out to Moms for Liberty by email to ask further questions. In response, we received several statements, including one scolding CNN for not including part of the organization's correspondence that detailed five court cases involving lawsuits about schools assisting students in "socially transitioning" from one gender to another. To be clear, none of the five cases involved children undergoing medical operations inside of schools.

Trump Tied Olympic Athletes' Genders into the Claim

On at least two speaking occasions, Trump connected the false claim about surgeries taking place inside schools with references to Algerian female boxer Imane Khelif and Taiwanese female boxer Lin Yu-ting — who were accused of transitioning from male to female to cheat and win gold medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics. However, as we previously reported , Khelif was assigned female at birth, meaning she has always lived as a woman. Yahoo Sports published the same about Lin.

For further reading, we previously reported about a false rumor claiming 2024 Democratic vice-presidential nominee and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz signed a bill allowing "gender reassignment surgery for children" in his state.

"About." Moms for Liberty , https://www.momsforliberty.org/about/.

Baker, Katie J. M. "When Students Change Gender Identity, and Parents Don't Know." The New York Times , 22 Jan. 2023, https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/22/us/gender-identity-students-parents.html.

Beacham, Greg. "Boxer Lin Yu-Ting Wins Gold, Following Imane Khelif to Conclude an Olympics Filled with Scrutiny." The Associated Press , 10 Aug. 2024, https://apnews.com/article/olympics-2024-boxing-lin-khelif-28d3e1a46ed8fe5c1aa6cd612e2561ca.

Dale, Daniel. "Fact Check: Trump Falsely Claims Schools Are Secretly Sending Children for Gender-Affirming Surgeries | CNN Politics." CNN , 4 Sept. 2024, https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/04/politics/donald-trump-fact-check-children-gender-affirming-surgery/index.html.

"FULL REMARKS: Trump Attends Moms for Liberty 2024 Summit." YouTube , LiveNOW from FOX, 30 Aug. 2024, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86clTu93p50.

"Imane Khelif's Olympic Gold Inspires Algerian Girls to Take up Boxing." The Associated Press , 5 Sept. 2024, https://apnews.com/article/algeria-boxing-imane-khelif-567f5ea9f008642010e6cf8fef7245c4.

"IOC 'saddened by Abuse' of 2 Boxers over Gender." ESPN.com , 1 Aug. 2024, https://www.espn.com/olympics/story/_/id/40702393/ioc-saddened-abuse-two-boxers-gender-paris-olympics.

Kasprak, Alex. "Olympic Boxer Imane Khelif Is Neither Trans Nor Male." Snopes , 6 Aug. 2024, https://www.snopes.com//news/2024/08/05/imane-khelif-not-trans/.

Leicester, John. "IOC Calls Tests That Sparked Vitriol Targeting Boxers Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-Ting Impossibly Flawed." The Associated Press , 4 Aug. 2024, https://apnews.com/article/olympics-2024-imane-khelif-lin-yuting-boxing-13e9529195585404c7b03c96f97dd634.

Rascouët-Paz, Anna. "Walz Didn't Sign Bill Permitting 'Gender Reassignment Surgery for Children.'" Snopes , 12 Aug. 2024, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/walz-gender-reassignment-surgery-children/.

The Associated Press. "Moms for Liberty Fully Embraces Trump and Widens Role in National Politics as Election Nears." KNSI , 3 Sept. 2024, https://knsiradio.com/2024/09/03/moms-for-liberty-fully-embraces-trump-and-widens-role-in-national-politics-as-election-nears-2/.

"Transgender Surgeries & Gender Affirmation." Mount Sinai Health System , https://www.mountsinai.org/locations/center-transgender-medicine-surgery/care/surgery.

Wetzel, Dan. "Lin Yu-Ting, Boxer Embroiled in Gender Controversy, Wins Olympic Gold Medal in 57kg Women's Final." Yahoo Sports , 10 Aug. 2024, https://sports.yahoo.com/lin-yu-ting-boxer-embroiled-in-gender-controversy-wins-olympic-gold-medal-in-57kg-womens-final-194703156.html.

By Jordan Liles

Jordan Liles is a Senior Reporter who has been with Snopes since 2016.

Article Tags

Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery

Q&A with Clinical Audiologist and Speech Language Pathologist Sallie Vanderhoof

how to speech in english in school

Washington University Clinical Audiologist and Speech Language Pathologist Sallie Vanderhoof shares her passion for being a mom and traveling.

What is your current title and how long have you been with WashU ENT?

 I am an Audiologist and Speech Language Pathologist in the cochlear implant program.  I have been with the department for twenty-three years.  Before coming to Washington University, I worked in the otolaryngology department at SLU.  Prior to that I worked in various settings as a Speech Language Pathologist.

how to speech in english in school

What do you like most about your work here?

I became interested in cochlear implants my junior year in college.  Even at that time, the strides recipients were making with the technology was fascinating.  I love working with people and getting to be a part of the journey these patients take with a cochlear implant.  Working with them to optimize their hearing and improve communication with the people around them is very rewarding.  In addition, I get to work with an amazing team of Audiologists and Otologists!

How would you describe life in the Vanderhoof household?

There is never a dull moment in the Vanderhoof household with everyone coming and going. My husband, Tim, and I have two daughters. Our oldest daughter Elise is a creative writing major at Webster University and lives at home. Our youngest daughter Amara is a junior in high school and is involved in several sports. Tim has retired from the public school system but keeps busy with odd jobs and volunteer work. Last but not least, our Doberman Willow and Weimaraner Luna who are always right there in the thick of things!

Do you have a favorite activity or pastime?

I have many different interests, not necessarily one favorite activity.  If my daughters are involved in something that is my priority, watching them and supporting their interests.  I enjoy being outside, taking a walk or going on a hike with the dogs.  My husband’s family has a small cabin on a lake in Northern Minnesota, it is beautiful there and we enjoy many lake activities each summer.

Is there a special something at the top of your bucket list, and why?

We love to travel so there are numerous places I would like to visit that are on the bucket list.  Believe it or not, one thing I have always wanted to do is fly a plane.  I’m not sure it will ever happen, but you never know!

Amara, Elise, and Willow at the lake

Featured Topics

Featured series.

A series of random questions answered by Harvard experts.

Explore the Gazette

Read the latest.

Exterior of Tiffany flagship

For this ring, I thee sue 

Lined up electric vehicle cars.

EVs fight warming but are costly. Why aren’t we driving $10,000 Chinese imports?

how to speech in english in school

Toll of QAnon on families of followers

Cass R. Sunstein (left) speaks with Benjamin Eidelson, Professor of Law, on his new book

Cass Sunstein (left) and Benjamin Eidelson.

Photos by Grace DuVal

Speech is never totally free

Cass Sunstein suggests universities look to First Amendment as they struggle to craft rules in wake of disruptive protests

Harvard Staff Writer

In the aftermath of student protests that shook campuses last spring, universities across the nation are wrestling with questions about how and when speech should be regulated. Educational institutions could turn to the First Amendment for guidance, said Cass Sunstein, Robert Walmsley University Professor, during a Tuesday talk at Harvard Law School.

Universities should strive to keep a balanced approach to free speech while protecting their educational mission. Cass Sunstein

Cass R. Sunstein’s new book

The First Amendment, adopted in 1791, establishes that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”

The amendment, with its prohibition on “abridging” freedoms, might seem absolute. But, Sunstein notes, that is not the case. The legal doctrine that has developed over the decades provides a set of guiding principles that include permissible restrictions, which can help universities fulfill their educational mission while balancing free speech.

“The First Amendment provides something like a diagnosis of problems,” said Sunstein in a dialogue with Professor of Law Benjamin Eidelson about Sunstein’s new book, “Campus Free Speech.” The book offers a case-study framework for resolving dilemmas around speech.

First Amendment principles offer clear guidance when it comes to regulating actions that are considered “true threats,” Sunstein said, such as students who threaten to commit violence against their classmates or destroy buildings or are part of a criminal conspiracy.

In addition, some regulation can be appropriate if it’s essential to an institution’s core mission. Such limits have been allowed for religious and military schools, for instance.

He also noted that private universities are not legally bound by the First Amendment the way public universities and public officials are. Still, he said, free speech is essential to the learning enterprise and universities, as centers of learning, should commit to preserving it.

Allowable restrictions can be based on content of speech, such as when universities ask professors not to discuss certain topics in class. They can be content-neutral, as when they don’t allow loud music in dorms after midnight, or they can be based on viewpoint, such as when professors are hired for their political views for the sake of intellectual diversity.

But universities should strive to keep a balanced approach to free speech while protecting their educational mission, said Sunstein.

“The idea of the educational mission being a permission slip for universities to regulate speech seems to me both essential and rightly evocative of the phrase ‘That way lies madness,’” said Sunstein. “Suppose there is a faculty member who thinks America is rotten to the core, there may be students who think, ‘America is the opposite of rotten to the core’ and ‘How can I learn from someone who despises my nation?’ The idea that leading to discomfort or feeling of something like exclusion as a basis for regulating speech is like the heckler’s veto, and that is not consistent with the kind of pluralism educational institutions prize.”

Besides serving as a manual or diagnostic tool, free-speech principles can also serve as a source of inspiration. Sunstein said that while writing his book he was inspired by the writings of some Supreme Court justices. He said he was particularly moved by the words of Supreme Court Justice Robert H. Jackson, who wrote the landmark ruling in West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette . The 1943 decision established that the First Amendment protects students from being compelled to salute the American flag or recite the Pledge of Allegiance in public schools.

“Justice Jackson wrote, ‘Compulsory unification of opinion achieves only the unanimity of the graveyard,’” said Sunstein. “There are lots of graveyards. They’re all quiet. And that’s not what we need at the greatest arsenal for democracy that is America’s educational institutions.”

He said the nation’s colleges and universities could also learn from the words of Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr., who wrote a famous defense of free speech in Abrams v. United States in 1919.

“First Amendment principles as developed over a very long period by judges of very diverse predilections have, broadly speaking, to be celebrated and honored rather than deplored,” said Sunstein. “Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. said, ‘We protect speech, the speech we hate and that we believe to be fraught with death.’ That’s quite a sentence for a Supreme Court justice to write, and it’s a good sentence.”

Share this article

You might like.

Unhappy suitor wants $70,000 engagement gift back. Now court must decide whether 

Lined up electric vehicle cars.

Experts say tension between trade, green-tech policies hampers climate change advances; more targeted response needed

how to speech in english in school

New book by Nieman Fellow explores pain, frustration in efforts to help loved ones break free of hold of conspiracy theorists

Harvard releases race data for Class of 2028

Cohort is first to be impacted by Supreme Court’s admissions ruling

Parkinson’s may take a ‘gut-first’ path

Damage to upper GI lining linked to future risk of Parkinson’s disease, says new study

Professor tailored AI tutor to physics course. Engagement doubled.

Preliminary findings inspire other large Harvard classes to test approach this fall

  • Online Courses
  • Unique Courses
  • Scholarships
  • Entrance Exams
  • Study Abroad
  • Question Papers

how to speech in english in school

  • Click on the Menu icon of the browser, it opens up a list of options.
  • Click on the “Options ”, it opens up the settings page,
  • Here click on the “Privacy & Security” options listed on the left hand side of the page.
  • Scroll down the page to the “Permission” section .
  • Here click on the “Settings” tab of the Notification option.
  • A pop up will open with all listed sites, select the option “ALLOW“, for the respective site under the status head to allow the notification.
  • Once the changes is done, click on the “Save Changes” option to save the changes.

Onam Festival: Short and Long Speech Ideas for Students

Onam, one of Kerala's most vibrant and joyful festivals, is much more than a celebration of the harvest. It weaves together the richness of mythology, culture, and tradition, creating a festive spirit that brings people together with warmth and happiness. From the beautiful Pookalams (floral decorations) to the delicious Onam Sadhya (feast), Onam is a wonderful expression of Kerala's deep cultural heritage, reflecting values like unity, love, and gratitude.

Onam Festival: Short and Long Speech Ideas

In this article, we'll explore both short and in-depth speech ideas of 250 and 500 Word on the colorful Onam festival, helping students understand its beauty and significance.

250-Word Speech on Onam

"Good [morning/afternoon/evening] everyone,

Today, I'm excited to talk about Onam, a festival that brightens Kerala with its vibrant celebrations. Onam is not just a harvest festival but a celebration of unity, prosperity, and cultural heritage. It commemorates the return of the mythical King Mahabali, who, according to legend, visits his people during this time to ensure their well-being.

The festival spans ten days, each with its own special significance. It kicks off with Atham and culminates with Thiruvonam. One of the highlights is the creation of Pookalam, intricate floral designs that adorn homes and public spaces. Another major aspect is the Onam Sadhya, a grand feast served on banana leaves, showcasing a variety of delicious vegetarian dishes.

Essay on Onam: 150 Words Essay for Students on Kerala's Colorful Harvest Festival

Onam also features lively performances like Thiruvathira Kali, where women dance gracefully around a lamp, and Pulikali, where men dress as tigers and perform to drumbeats. The Vallam Kali or snake boat races add excitement and draw large crowds.

In essence, Onam is a time of joy, togetherness, and gratitude. It's a celebration that brings people together, reflecting the rich cultural tapestry of Kerala."

500-Word Speech on Onam

I'm thrilled to share with you the beauty and significance of Onam, a festival that fills Kerala with vibrant colors and joyous celebrations. Onam, celebrated during the Malayalam month of Chingam, marks the homecoming of King Mahabali, a beloved ruler in Kerala's folklore. This festival is more than just a harvest celebration; it is a tapestry of mythology, culture, and community spirit.

Onam Festival: Short and Long Speech Ideas

The festival spans ten days, starting with Atham and culminating on Thiruvonam. Each day of Onam is celebrated with unique customs and traditions. One of the most iconic elements of Onam is the Pookalam, a beautiful floral arrangement made with vibrant flowers, which grows more elaborate as the days progress. These colorful designs are a symbol of prosperity and welcome to King Mahabali.

Onam Sadhya is another highlight of the festival. This grand feast, served on banana leaves, features a variety of vegetarian dishes, each prepared with traditional recipes that have been passed down through generations. The meal is a celebration of Kerala's rich culinary heritage and a symbol of abundance and gratitude.

The festival also showcases traditional dances and performances. Thiruvathira Kali, performed by women around a lamp, is a graceful dance that symbolizes feminine strength and beauty. Pulikali, or the tiger dance, sees men painted like tigers performing energetic dances to the beat of drums, adding a festive touch to the celebrations. The Vallam Kali, or snake boat races, are a thrilling event that draws large crowds, showcasing the teamwork and spirit of the people.

Onam is a time when families come together to celebrate, exchange gifts, and wear new clothes called Onakkodi. The festival transcends religious boundaries, bringing people from all walks of life together in a spirit of unity and joy.

In essence, Onam is a celebration of life, culture, and community. It reflects the rich traditions of Kerala and the values of harmony and gratitude. By embracing these traditions, we honor our heritage and foster a sense of togetherness."

More ONAM News  

Essay on Onam: 150 Words Essay for Students on Kerala’s Colorful Harvest Festival

NEET PG 2024 Counselling: Registration, Choice Filling, and Seat Allotment Dates Announced, Details Here

CCL Apprentice Recruitment 2024: 1,180 Vacancies, Know steps to apply, Eligibility criteria and more details

CCL Apprentice Recruitment 2024: 1,180 Vacancies, Know steps to apply, Eligibility criteria and more details

VIT Opens Registration for PhD Programs, Apply for VITREE 2025, Check Out the Details Here

VIT Opens Registration for PhD Programs, Apply for VITREE 2025, Check Out the Details Here

  • Don't Block
  • Block for 8 hours
  • Block for 12 hours
  • Block for 24 hours
  • Dont send alerts during 1 am 2 am 3 am 4 am 5 am 6 am 7 am 8 am 9 am 10 am 11 am 12 pm 1 pm 2 pm 3 pm 4 pm 5 pm 6 pm 7 pm 8 pm 9 pm 10 pm 11 pm 12 am to 1 am 2 am 3 am 4 am 5 am 6 am 7 am 8 am 9 am 10 am 11 am 12 pm 1 pm 2 pm 3 pm 4 pm 5 pm 6 pm 7 pm 8 pm 9 pm 10 pm 11 pm 12 am

facebookview

Trending Topics

Get jta in your inbox.

By submitting the above I agree to the privacy policy and terms of use of JTA.org

Donald Trump to speak at the Israeli American Council’s national conference

how to speech in english in school

WASHINGTON — Less than two months before he hopes to be reelected president, and shortly before the one-year anniversary of the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war, Donald Trump will address the Israeli American Council’s national convention.

The announcement of next week’s speech comes as Republicans have ramped up their efforts to attract Jewish voters following Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel and anti-Israel protests across the country, many of which have included progressive groups. Recent polls show that a large majority of Jews plan to vote for Trump’s opponent , Vice President Kamala Harris, though Jewish Republican activists say the Jewish vote will be closer in swing states.

The IAC conference, which Trump also addressed as president in 2019, is one of the relatively few Jewish venues in the United States where he can expect to get a friendly reception. The group is led by Elan Carr, who served as the envoy to combat antisemitism during Trump’s presidency. Its lead donor, casino magnate Miriam Adelson, is also one of Trump’s biggest contributors. She has pledged at least $90 million to get him back to the White House.

This will be the third speech focused on Jews that Trump has given in a setting with, or tied to, Adelson. Last month, he gave an address on antisemitism at his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, where she introduced him, and earlier this month he gave a speech via satellite to the Republican Jewish Coalition’s annual conference at a resort in Las Vegas that she owns.

Trump has sought to portray himself as friendlier to Israel than Harris, and has frequently touted his record on Israel as president, mentioning policies such as his moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem and brokering normalization accords between Israel and neighboring countries. At the RJC speech, and at this week’s debate with Harris, he also predicted that Israel would be destroyed if she is elected — a claim that consternated even some of his pro-Israel supporters .

Trump got a robust welcome the last time he spoke to the IAC in 2019, where he said, as he often does, that American Jews are flawed for not supporting him in greater numbers for his pro-Israel policies. More recently, he has taken to accusing Jewish Democrats of being mentally ill, an allegation that helped spark an escalating war of words between Democratic and Republican Jewish activists .

Trump’s address will be live and in person, a spokesman for the IAC said. The conference runs from next Thursday to next Saturday in Washington, D.C., and a specific date and time for his appearance has yet to be made public.

The IAC has also invited Harris to speak, as well as President Joe Biden. Neither has so for responded.

The IAC and the Trump campaign touted the appearance in an identical press release sent Friday.

“The Summit will also focus on Jewish identity, the fight against antisemitism, Israeli technology and innovation, the U.S.-Israel alliance, and other aspects of the Jewish and Israeli-American experience,” the release said.

Also appearing are New York Rep. Elise Stefanik, the fourth-ranked Republican in the U.S. House of Representatives who has taken a leading role at congressional hearings on campus antisemitism; New York Rep. Ritchie Torres, perhaps the most outspoken pro-Israel Democrat in Congress; and Deborah Lipstadt, the Biden administration’s antisemitism envoy.

Share this:

how to speech in english in school

Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.

Recommended from JTA

how to speech in english in school

Far-right provocateur Laura Loomer is back in Donald Trump’s inner circle — to the dismay of strange bedfellows

Kamala Harris Detroit

Republican PAC blankets Michigan with ads touting Kamala Harris’ pro-Israel credentials

how to speech in english in school

Do Donald Trump and Kamala Harris identify as ‘Zionist’? Here’s what their campaigns told us.

how to speech in english in school

Donald Trump’s pro-Israel supporters take issue with his prediction of its potentially imminent demise

how to speech in english in school

At debate, Trump says Israel ‘will not exist’ if he loses and Harris calls for Gaza war to end ‘immediately’

  • Voter Guide

Oklahoma looking to revoke license of Edmond teacher over 5-year-old family Instagram post

Regan Killackey was goofing around with his son and daughter in a party supply store in September 2019, snapping photos. His daughter put on a mask of Donald Trump. His son held up a silver plastic sword, and Killackey grimaced. 

Killackey, a high school teacher, posted the family photos to his personal Instagram. 

Five years later, in the days following the attempted assassination of Trump at a campaign rally , an anonymous tipster sent a screenshot of the Trump mask photo to the Oklahoma Department of Education with a description: “Posted picture on personal Instagram account of the fictitious stabbing of fake presidential candidate mask.”

The department took swift action, and filed to take away Killackey’s teacher certification — the harshest discipline the department can take against an educator. The proceedings are typically reserved for serious offenses, such as child abuse, predatory behavior or criminal charges.

But in Killackey’s case, Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters prioritized punishing a teacher over political speech he disagreed with in order to score political points. 

The First Amendment prohibits disciplining a teacher for political speech made as a private citizen, multiple lawyers and free speech experts said.

“For Walters, who is attempting to build this profile of a patriotic American wrapped in a flag, this sort of behavior is about as un-American as it gets,” said Ryan Kiesel, a civil rights attorney and former state representative.

Former Oklahoma teacher Summer Boismier had license revoked

This shift began with Summer Boismier, who taught English at Norman High School and caught Ryan Walters’ attention in 2022 with a demonstration against House Bill 1775, a state law prohibiting certain conversations about race and gender.

Prior to the start of school that year, Boismier covered her bookshelves with red paper, the words “books the state doesn’t want you to read,” and a QR code to the Brooklyn Public Library, which offers any student free access to banned books. 

Walters, then secretary of education, called for the board to revoke her license.

More: Oklahoma education board denies violating court order when it revoked teacher's license

“There is no place for a teacher with a liberal political agenda in the classroom,” he said.

As superintendent, he continued to pursue revocation, even though she resigned and moved out of state. Walters and the board rejected a hearing officer’s recommendation that Boismier keep her teaching license and, even though her certification expired this summer, voted in August to revoke it.  

Walters has said Boismier violated the teacher’s code of conduct.

The department did not make Boismier’s revocation order public until a federal judge ordered SDE to explain whether the board violated an injunction that postponed enforcement of parts of House Bill 1775. In the response filed Sept. 12, the Department of Education said Boismier’s certificate was revoked because she violated three conduct rules requiring teachers to meet certain professional performance and conduct standards and to “protect the student from conditions harmful to learning or to health and safety.”

Sending a message

For Killackey, a 20-year veteran educator, the department has taken first steps in the process to remove his license but he remains certified.

He teaches AP English at Edmond Public Schools. He’s one of the plaintiffs suing the state over HB 1775 because, he said, the law inhibits his ability to teach. After the law passed in 2021, Killackey said school officials advised teachers to avoid books by non-white and female authors.  He said  he wants his class to read books such as "To Kill a Mockingbird" and "Their Eyes Were Watching God," so Black students see themselves reflected in the course material, too.

Limited details about the allegations against Killackey were gathered from the anonymous complaint to the department, obtained under the Oklahoma Open Records Act, and public statements by Walters, who taught high school history before his foray into politics. 

More: Ryan Walters' Bible mandate proves unsurprising for Oklahoma atheists

“We want to make sure to send a message loud and clear: no one will be able to teach in the state of Oklahoma if they advocate for the assassination of President Trump, or any elected official,” Walters said, referring to Killackey and another teacher without naming them at the July 31 meeting. 

He posted the soundbite to X and tagged Libs of TikTok, its founder Chaya Raichik, and former president Donald Trump. 

The tip about Killackey came two weeks earlier from an IP address that Oklahoma Watch traced to New York City’s city hall. The tipster listed their name as Concerned Citizen. 

“I am a tax pay (sic) and will NOT condone this type of indoctrination of our youth,” they wrote. “Please look into this matter.” 

The department is also trying to take away Ardmore teacher Alison Scott’s certification over a social media post. Two weeks earlier, Libs of TikTok, whose posts on X fuel outrage, division, and have been  connected to bomb threats , amplified Scott’s reply to a Facebook post after the attempted assassination of Trump.

“Wish they had a better scope,” reads the comment, followed by the shrug emoji. 

Walters responded on X right away.

“This is unacceptable,” Walters wrote. “SDE is investigating. We will not allow teachers to cheer on violence against @realDonaldTrump.” 

Later the same day, Walters, in another X post, wrote he’d be “taking her teaching certificate.” 

In comparison, the department waited more than a year to file to revoke the teaching certificate of Phil Koons, a football coach accused of bullying and harassing student athletes. Parents voiced concerns at a Ringling school board meeting in February 2023. Koons was placed on administrative leave while law enforcement investigated, but that summer, the superintendent reinstated Koons,  KFOR reported .

Prosecutors charged Koons with outraging public decency, a misdemeanor, in October, and that’s when he stepped away from the school district, according to  The Oklahoman . (Koons, in federal court documents, denied the allegations.)

Oklahoma State Department of Education has not responded to records requests

The Department of Education has delayed multiple requests by Oklahoma Watch for a copy of their application to revoke Killackey’s certificate, which includes a summary of the allegations and a statement of facts. A request made Aug. 6 under the Oklahoma Open Records Act is pending. 

Cara Nicklas, an attorney who represents the Board of Education, said in a voicemail message that it’s up to the department to decide whether to release the document.

“My initial concern is that we can’t release applications because that’s in the investigatory process,” she said. “That would be because of a need to protect the teachers from unfair publicity when there hasn’t been any conclusion made about the allegations.”

The department has previously provided such documents to Oklahoma Watch under the law, which states agencies can’t deny access to records that are otherwise public just because the records have been placed in an investigation file.

In August, the department amended its complaint against Killackey by adding a video clip its investigator found online. In the video, posted in 2021, Killackey heckles a street vendor in Edmond selling Trump merchandise, asking through the window whether he has any Al-Qaeda or Taliban hats. 

In response to questions about Killackey and Scott, Director of Communications Dan Isett said: “Just like in many other professions, Oklahoma teachers are bound by  professional conduct standards  which set a high bar for teachers’ behavior both in and out of the classroom.”

Courts, though, have upheld public employees’ constitutional right to free speech, with few exceptions. Political speech is central to the First Amendment protection. 

“It doesn’t matter if people find the remarks unpalatable,” said Ken Paulson, director of the Free Speech Center at Middle Tennessee State University. “No amount of political outrage can undermine their constitutional rights.”

One exception is when the comments are an extension of their job, but the state would have to show the teachers’ comments made as part of their professional duties, not as private citizens, Paulson said.

That didn’t stop Libs of TikTok from trying to get workers fired for comments made in the wake of the Trump shooting. They included school and university employees, a restaurant worker, a fire chief and a pharmacy worker. The account’s founder, Chaya Raichik,  has endorsed Trump  for president. 

Libs of TikTok’s involvement could bolster the public workers’ defense, showing the complaints were political and not a question of professional competence, Paulson said. 

Another exception to free speech is if comments incite violence, but it’s narrow, said Aaron Terr, director of public advocacy at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression. He considered Scott’s comment and Killackey’s post and said neither sounded like incitement or true threats, a standard established by a 1969  Supreme Court decision  that overturned the conviction of a Ku Klux Klan leader for his speech at a rally.

The courts again upheld free speech rights in the 1980s case of a Houston woman fired from her job at a constable’s office. On the day President Ronald Reagan was shot and wounded, she was heard on the phone saying, “If they go for him again, I hope they get him.” 

After a judge reinstated her with back pay, the woman said she meant she didn’t like Regan’s policies, not that she was going to shoot him herself, according to a  1988 story in the Los Angeles Times . 

Due process disregarded

Killackey found out the state was seeking revocation when his name appeared on the July 31 board agenda. The Department didn’t mail its application to revoke until Aug. 22, weeks past the statutory deadline of three days. 

Revocation is a legal process and the teacher holds the right to have a hearing, bring witnesses and obtain legal representation. At its core is due process and the right to know the nature of the charges and evidence.

Due process rights exist to protect citizens from unfair or improper government intrusion. 

Teacher certification, which requires a bachelor’s degree in education, passing scores on two competency exams, is — legally — a property right,  said Brent Rowland, an attorney at the Oklahoma Appleseed Center for Law and Justice in Tulsa. That’s why there are rules and processes limiting when certification can be revoked.

“If you think about the investment this represents for a teacher, not only education, training and, in a lot of cases, years of service, there have to be protections around an administrative agency or any government action wiping those out,” Rowland said.

Jennifer Palmer has been a reporter with Oklahoma Watch since 2016 and covers education. Contact her at  (405) 761-0093  or  [email protected] . Follow her on Twitter  @jpalmerOKC .

  • SI SWIMSUIT
  • SI SPORTSBOOK

Admiral William McRaven Delivers Fiery Speech In New Texas Football Hype Video

Thomas krilowicz | 7 hours ago.

how to speech in english in school

  • Texas Longhorns

Texas ventures into week 3 against UTSA with their highest ranking in the AP Poll since 2009 (#2).

With that, the Longhorns are trying to remind themselves to stay humble and focused with every week that passes. Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian mentioned the Notre Dame loss to Northern Illinois to the team to reinforce the idea of staying grounded amid the hype around them.

And on Friday, Texas Football released a hype video featuring Admiral William McRaven, a four-star Navy Admiral and former chancellor of the University of Texas System, titled, "Capable of anything. Entitled to nothing."

Capable of anything. Entitled to nothing. 🎙️Admiral William McRaven pic.twitter.com/XTxu5v0rKi — Texas Football (@TexasFootball) September 13, 2024

"The day you think you have earned the respect," Admiral McRaven said. "That's the day you're not going to be the teammate people need you to be."

The admiral preaching to the players that they "aren't entitled to anything" is perfect for Texas's current situation. Following a big win against Michigan in The Big House, the Longhorns definitely earned the respect of the nation.

Junfu Han

The UTSA Roadrunners might not be the most intimidating opponent, but if Texas doesn't show up prepared, it could become a dogfight. Yes, Texas should win, but a mindset of being "entitled to nothing" would make that a reality quickly in the game.

UTSA does have a lot to prove. They didn't even put up a fight against Texas State last week, losing 49-10.

Texas opens up with a -33.5 line and currently rides an 8-game winning streak at home.

Kickoff at Darrell K. Royal Stadium will be at 6 on ESPN.

Thomas Krilowicz

THOMAS KRILOWICZ

Legacy Schools in Arizona discriminated against English learners

PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Changes are coming to 22 charter schools in Arizona after federal investigators say the network of schools discriminated against students who didn’t speak English.

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights announced on Friday it has reached a deal with Legacy Traditional Schools after finding the violations.

Officials say the schools didn’t offer equitable learning opportunities to English language learners, failed to have qualified teachers and didn’t track their progress.

Legacy Traditional also didn’t tell parents about programs and activities in a language they could understand.

Some non-English speaking students were also given instruction in the cafeteria instead of the classroom.

Legacy Traditional agreed to rectify these problems by providing English learners with meaningful instruction and daily goals based on their level of English.

Teachers will also be properly trained, and those students will be given extra help so they can fully participate in academic programs.

“Through this agreement, Legacy Traditional Schools in Arizona commits to make its education programs equally available to English Learner students and to ensure that parents with limited English proficiency can meaningfully participate in their children’s education,” said Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Catherine E. Lhamon.

See a spelling or grammatical error in our story? Please click here to report it .

Do you have a photo or video of a breaking news story? Send it to us here with a brief description.

Copyright 2024 KTVK/KPHO. All rights reserved.

Latest News

True Crime Arizona

As John Flowers sits in a prison cell, he emailed  host and True Crime Arizona correspondent...

SPYKILLER: The Chilling Tale of Arizona’s Spy Shop Serial Killer

"Spykiller: The Girls in the Desert" is a new documentary that describes the 1997 murders of...

Documentary details twists and turns of killer convicted in 2 murders

Jose McInturf, 32, was arrested for allegedly shooting and killing a man in west Phoenix.

Suspect arrested for shooting, killing a man in west Phoenix

East Valley

It happened on Friday night.

‘Shooting incident’ has police surrounding Arizona Mills Mall in Tempe

Law enforcement has blocked of exits of Arizona Mills Mall due to a "shooting incident,"...

'Shooting incident' at Arizona Mills Mall, not an active shooter

A Table Rock Middle School student is accused of creating a fake social media account to make...

Nationwide trend of fake school threats hits Arizona; 3 arrests in metro Phoenix

Legacy Traditional Schools, a network of 22 Arizona charter schools, was found to have...

Legacy Traditional Schools violate civil rights, enter deal with feds

20-year-old Benjamin Liang is facing charges after a high-speed motorcycle chase on Loop 303...

DPS: Motorcyclist went 155 mph in Wickenburg area after chase

The driver allegedly told DPS, “It’s all good. I know you had fun with it.”

Gate Fire stopped at 75 acres near north Scottsdale homes

How to make the best out of LingQ when starting a new language?

I am planning to start learning Persian. I speak Arabic, so I can vaguely read and recognize written Persian, but I do not understand the words. Think of it like German and English, you recognize the letters, and the words make sense, but the language/vocabulary/grammar is different. For all intents and purposes, this is the first time I learn a language from scratch. I’ve started learning English at school since the first grade, and started consuming English media (TV shows, YouTube, etc. since I was 8 years old) and so I like to say that I learned English automatically, during the “critical period” in early adolesence. Now, I am 24 and I would love to hear the advice of experienced veteran language learners on how to start learning a language from scratch. Thank you.

The more lingqs you make, the more likely you will be able to learn news words. The more translations you make , the closer you are to learn those words that you have translated/lingq. You need to make Neuro connections for each word in order to learn them. You can only learn words that you have already made neuro connections to. The faster you get the idea, the stronger the connection will be. Happy hunting!

how to speech in english in school

  • Whats Cooking
  • Relationships
  • Art and Culture
  • Beauty and Care
  • Healthy Living
  • Tips & Tricks
  • Beauty & Care
  • Celebrity Fashion
  • Mutual Funds
  • Science And Future
  • Create on India
  • Ayodhya Ram Mandir
  • Oscars 2024
  • Indiatimes Frontlines
  • India On Plate
  • Sustainability
  • Give Up Plastic
  • The Great Indian Brain Drain
  • #DubaiLikeALocal

Hindi Diwas 2024: Best short, long Hindi Diwas speech in English, Hindi for kids and students

Hindi diwas is celebrated with a lot of excitement in schools, colleges, and government offices. with hindi diwas 2024 approaching, students looking for the best long and short hindi diwas speech ideas in english and hindi can find helpful suggestions here. this will give you a good idea about hindi diwas..

Hindi Diwas 2024

On September 14, Indians celebrate the National 'Hindi Diwas'. This day marks the adoption of Hindi as one of India's official languages in 1949. Hindi, written in the Devanagari script, was officially recognized in the Indian Constitution on September 14, 1949. The first Hindi Diwas was celebrated on September 14, 1953. Today, around 425 million people speak Hindi as their first language, and about 120 million use it as their second language.

This day is marked by speeches, awards, and other activities to honour the declaration of Hindi as a significant language .

September 14 is a special day as it commemorates the adoption of Hindi as one of the official languages of India by the Constituent Assembly in 1949. On this day, Hindi, written in the Devanagari script, was officially recognized alongside English .

Best Long and Short Hindi Diwas Speeches for Students

Hindi Diwas is celebrated with enthusiasm in schools, colleges, and government offices . With Hindi Diwas 2024 approaching, students looking for effective long and short-speech ideas can find useful content here. We’ve provided key information about Hindi Diwas in a straightforward and easy-to-understand manner.

Long Hindi Diwas Speech for Students

Good morning/afternoon everyone!

Respected Principal, Esteemed Teachers, Dear Fellow Students, and Invited Guests,

Today, I want to talk about the importance of the Hindi language in our diverse and culturally rich country. Hindi is more than just a language; it is a unifying force that connects us as a nation. Here are some important points about Hindi:

  • National Identity: Hindi is not only a way to communicate but also a symbol of our national identity. It reflects our culture, traditions, and values. By preserving and promoting Hindi, we maintain our unique identity globally.
  • Unity in Diversity: In a diverse country like India, Hindi acts as a unifying factor. It helps people from different linguistic backgrounds communicate and creates a sense of unity, which is crucial for our nation’s progress.
  • Educational and Professional Opportunities: Knowing Hindi can open up many educational and job opportunities in India. It is valuable in government positions, business, and other fields, enhancing career prospects.
  • Linguistic Diversity: India has a vast range of languages, with over 1,600 spoken across the country. Hindi is one of the most widely spoken languages and helps bridge communication gaps between people, allowing us to understand and connect.
  • Cultural Richness: Hindi has a rich literary tradition, including poetry, literature, and art. Famous poets and writers like Kabir, Tulsidas, and Premchand have contributed greatly to our cultural heritage.
  • Historical Significance: Hindi played a key role in our struggle for independence. Leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru used Hindi to inspire and mobilize people during the freedom movement. It has a deep connection with our journey to freedom.
  • International Recognition: Hindi is one of the most spoken languages in the world. Promoting it internationally helps showcase India’s cultural richness and strengthens our global relationships.

I end my speech with a this powerful quote "भारत के गांव की शान है हिंदी, हिन्दुस्तान की शक्ति हिंदी, मेरे हिन्द की जान हिंदी, हर दिन नया वाहन हिंदी।"

Short Hindi Diwas Speech in English 2024

Ladies and gentlemen,

Today, on Hindi Diwas, we honour the importance of the Hindi language in our diverse and culturally rich country. Hindi is not just a language; it represents our national identity and unity.

Hindi Diwas, celebrated on September 14th, marks the day in 1949 when Hindi was chosen as one of India's official languages. It helps connect different regions, communities, and cultures, fostering communication and understanding.

Hindi is full of literature, poetry, and art, and has a rich history that shows our cultural heritage. It has been the language of freedom fighters and leaders who helped shape our nation.

As we celebrate Hindi Diwas, let's remember the need to preserve and promote our languages. We should take pride in our linguistic diversity and continue to learn and respect Hindi and all the languages spoken in our country.

Hindi Diwas is a celebration of India's cultural diversity and unity. Let’s value our linguistic heritage and use it to create a more inclusive and harmonious India.

To end my Hindi Diwas speech, I want to share a powerful quote "हमारी एकता और अखंडता ही हमारे देश की पहचान है, हिंदुस्तान हैं हम और हिंदी हमारी जुबान है, हिन्दी दिवस की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएं!"

Thank you for your attention. Jai Hind!

10 Lines Hindi Diwas Speech in English for Children And Students

  • Hindi Diwas is celebrated on September 14th every year in India.
  • It marks the day when Hindi was chosen as one of India's official languages.
  • This decision was made on September 14, 1949, recognizing Hindi's importance.
  • Hindi is the most spoken language in India and helps bring people together.
  • It connects different languages in our country, promoting unity.
  • Hindi is more than just a language; it carries India's rich cultural history.
  • On Hindi Diwas, there are cultural events, speeches, and competitions.
  • Schools and educational institutions hold events to celebrate Hindi and its culture.
  • It’s a day to highlight the importance of keeping and promoting our native language.
  • Hindi Diwas reminds us of the beauty and variety of languages in our country.

Hindi Diwas Speech, Bhashan In Hindi 2024 for kids and students

मेरे सभी आदरणीय शिक्षकों और प्यारे दोस्तों, नमस्कार!

इस खास मौके पर आपका स्वागत है।

आज 14 सितंबर है, जिसे पूरे भारत में हिंदी दिवस के रूप में मनाया जाता है। इस दिन हम हिंदी भाषा के प्रति अपनी श्रद्धा और सम्मान दिखाते हैं।

हिंदी भाषा दुनिया की प्रमुख भाषाओं में से एक है। यह हमारे देश की संस्कृति और परंपराओं का हिस्सा है।

भारत में ज्यादातर लोग हिंदी बोलते हैं, इसलिए 14 सितंबर 1949 को इसे भारतीय संविधान में आधिकारिक भाषा के रूप में मान्यता दी गई थी।

हमारी संस्कृति की जानकारी हमें हिंदी के जरिए मिलती है। हिंदी एक प्राचीन और समृद्ध भाषा है जो सरल है और किसी को भी इसे बोलने या समझने में कठिनाई नहीं होती। हिंदी भारत को एकजुट रखने में मदद करती है।

आजकल अंग्रेजी का भी महत्व है, लेकिन इसका मतलब यह नहीं कि हम अपनी मातृभाषा को भूल जाएं।

हम आज हिंदी में बात करते हैं, लेकिन कई बार हम अंग्रेजी शब्दों का भी उपयोग करते हैं। इस वजह से हिंदी के कई शब्द प्रचलन से हट रहे हैं, और हमें इसे रोकना चाहिए।

हिंदी के विकास के लिए हमें सभी को मिलकर काम करना होगा। हमें हिंदी का ज्यादा से ज्यादा उपयोग करना चाहिए, तभी हम अपनी भाषा का सही सम्मान कर पाएंगे।

आइए, हम सब मिलकर यह संकल्प लें कि हम अपनी राजभाषा हिंदी के विकास में हर संभव प्रयास करेंगे और हिंदी का अधिक से अधिक उपयोग करेंगे।

Short Hindi Diwas Speech in Hindi 2024 for kids and students

प्रिय साथियों,

आज हम 14 सितंबर को हिंदी दिवस के रूप में मना रहे हैं। सबसे पहले, आप सभी को हिंदी दिवस की ढेर सारी शुभकामनाएं! और धन्यवाद कि आपने मुझे इस मौके पर अपने विचार साझा करने का मौका दिया। हर साल 14 सितंबर को पूरे भारत में हिंदी दिवस मनाया जाता है ताकि हिंदी को बढ़ावा मिल सके। 1918 में गांधी जी ने हिंदी साहित्य सम्मेलन में कहा था कि हिंदी को राष्ट्रभाषा बनाया जाए, और 14 सितंबर 1949 को संविधान सभा ने एकमत से निर्णय लिया कि हिंदी भारत की राजभाषा होगी।

हिंदी भाषा को देवनागरी लिपि में भारत की कार्यकारी और राजभाषा का आधिकारिक दर्जा प्राप्त है। गांधी जी ने हिंदी को जनमानस की भाषा भी कहा था। भारतीय संविधान के भाग 17 के अध्याय की धारा 343 (1) में हिंदी को संघ की राजभाषा का दर्जा मिला है। हिंदी दिवस, 14 सितंबर, वह दिन है जब हम अपनी राष्ट्रभाषा हिंदी का प्रचार-प्रसार करते हैं। हिंदी दुनिया की सबसे अधिक बोली जाने वाली भाषा है। 2011 की जनगणना के अनुसार, भारत में हिंदी सबसे अधिक बोली जाने वाली भाषा है। 2001 में हिंदी बोलने वालों का प्रतिशत 41.03% था, जो 2011 में बढ़कर 43.63% हो गया। हिंदी का इतिहास लगभग एक हजार साल पुराना है और भारत में 1949 से हर साल 14 सितंबर को हिंदी दिवस मनाया जाता है।

भारत अब दुनिया के लिए एक बड़ा बाजार बन गया है। विभिन्न अंतरराष्ट्रीय कंपनियों को अपने उत्पाद बेचने के लिए बाजार आधारित विज्ञापनों की जरूरत होती है। इसलिए हिंदी माध्यम के छात्रों के लिए रोज़गार के अवसर बढ़ रहे हैं। गूगल पर भी हिंदी से संबंधित ब्लॉग की मांग लगातार बढ़ रही है, जिससे रोज़गार के अवसर भी बढ़ रहे हैं।

हिंदी दिवस और हिंदी भाषा हमारे लिए बहुत महत्वपूर्ण है। हिंदी सिर्फ हिंदुस्तान की राष्ट्रभाषा नहीं, बल्कि हिंदुस्तानियों की पहचान भी है। आज के युग में हमें अंग्रेजी भी सीखनी चाहिए, लेकिन अपनी मातृभाषा हिंदी को कभी नहीं भूलना चाहिए। हमें "हिंदी है हम, वतन है हिंदुस्तान हमारा" के नारे का सम्मान करना चाहिए। आप सभी को फिर से हिंदी दिवस की ढेर सारी बधाइयां!

धन्यवाद। जय हिंद!

To stay updated on the stories that are going viral follow Indiatimes Trending .

Bhupinder Singh

Bhupinder Singh serves as a Principal Executive in Content Management, specializing in SEO content related to trending financial news, net worth of celebrities, historic events, and art and culture. His passion for cricket shines through in his work and personal interests. In his free time, Bhupinder enjoys discussing cricket legends like MS Dhoni and Sachin Tendulkar, as well as following the IPL.

Brain teaser: Only 2% genius able to spot 001 among 100s in 10 seconds

Accept the updated Privacy & Cookie Policy

IMAGES

  1. How to Speech English In School !Class 1English Speech Independence Day

    how to speech in english in school

  2. How to Make a Good Speech for School (with Pictures)

    how to speech in english in school

  3. Farewell Speech for Students by Teacher

    how to speech in english in school

  4. Write a Speech on My School

    how to speech in english in school

  5. Write a speech on Education

    how to speech in english in school

  6. How To Write and Deliver An English Speech?

    how to speech in english in school

VIDEO

  1. The way of speaking in English from a kid

  2. Speech On Value of Time in English

  3. ENGLISH SPEECH

  4. First day to School

  5. Part of speech english grammar school project

  6. Educational speech for learning English || Spoken English

COMMENTS

  1. How to Make a Good Speech for School

    7. Practice in front of a test audience. Gather together your family members or friends and ask them to listen to your practice. You'll probably feel nervous, but the practice will make you more confident for the actual speech. Try to make eye contact with different members of your audience throughout the speech.

  2. How to write a good speech [7 easily followed steps]

    Tell them (Body of your speech - the main ideas plus examples) Tell them what you told them (The ending) TEST before presenting. Read aloud several times to check the flow of material, the suitability of language and the timing. Return to top. A step by step guide for writing a great speech.

  3. How to start a speech for students (Ultimate opening lines)

    Opening your speech in silence can help enhance your speech in two ways. First, it will give the audience some time to settle in, post which you can expect to grab their dedicated attention. And secondly, silence would give you some time to understand the room and calm your pre-stage anxiousness. 6.

  4. 16 Public Speaking Tips for Students

    Prepare. Use Relaxation Strategies. Maintain Perspective. Be Confident When Speaking. Public speaking can *really* hard, especially if you struggle with social anxiety or if you don't have a lot of experience talking in front of groups. Research suggests that 61% of university students in the U.S. have a fear of public speaking.

  5. How to Start a Speech

    Learn the 5 Best Ways to Start a Speech or Presentation. Crafting a killer opening is a vital public speaking skill and separates beginners from more advance...

  6. How to write a speech introduction: 12 of the best ways to start

    9. It's in the news. Take headlines from what's trending in media you know the audience will be familiar with and see. Using those that relate to your speech topic as the opening of your speech is a good way to grab the attention of the audience. It shows how relevant and up-to-the-minute the topic is. For example:

  7. 11 Tips for Giving a Great Speech

    If you don't want to inflict the same sort of experience on others, here are our top tips for giving a great speech. 1. Practise your microphone technique. Correct spacing is key - you want to be heard but don't want to end up deafening your audience! Nothing ruins a speech more than bad microphone technique.

  8. How to Start a Speech: The Best (and Worst) Speech Openers

    Opening Lines of the Top 10 Greatest Speeches of All Time. #1: Socrates - "Apology". "How you, men of Athens, have been affected by my accusers. I do not know.". #2: Patrick Henry - "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death". "Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope.".

  9. 21 Most Effective Ways to Improve Your English Speaking Skills

    5. Learn the natural flow of English. Being able to say individual words correctly is great, but the secret to speaking English fluently lies in the flow of your sentences. Whenever you read a piece of poetry, listen to a melodic song or watch a hilarious sitcom, pay attention to: Linking.

  10. Here's How to Write a Perfect Speech

    Step 2: Flesh out the main ideas in your outline. Don't worry about finding the perfect words. Just let your creativity flow and get it all out! Step 3: Edit and polish what you've written until you have a cohesive first draft of your speech. Step 4: Practice, practice, practice.

  11. How to Start a Speech: The Best (and Worst) Speech Openers

    Need ideas on how to start your upcoming speech? Public speaking is listed as Americans' number one fear, before death at number 5, and loneliness at number ...

  12. 15 Powerful Speech Opening Lines (And How to Create Your Own)

    Analyze their response and tweak the joke accordingly if necessary. Starting your speech with humour means your setting the tone of your speech. It would make sense to have a few more jokes sprinkled around the rest of the speech as well as the audience might be expecting the same from you. 4.

  13. How to Start a Speech: The Best Ways to Capture Your Audience

    1) Thank the Organizers and Audience. You can start by thanking the audience for coming and thanking the organization for inviting you to speak. Refer to the person who introduced you or to one or more of the senior people in the organization in the audience. This compliments them, makes them feel proud and happy about your presence, and ...

  14. 224 School Speech Topics for All Grades [High School, Middle School

    High school speech topics and themes for verbal speeches (such as Tropicana Speeches, writing assignments, and essays. From strange experiences in bars to Europe in seven days, we're to help. Girls are under more pressure in high school. Schools must not sell unhealthy foods. Cyberbullies should be suspended from school.

  15. How to speak English fluently: 8 Expert tips & strategies

    We have more tips for learning new English words in a separate guide. 3. Prioritize pronunciation and accent. Pronouncing words clearly is fundamental to fluent English speech. You may also need to work on reducing your native accent so that people can understand you more easily when you speak English.

  16. 26 Ways To Start a Speech and Capture People's Attention

    Here are 26 different techniques for beginning your speech: 1. Use a quote. One method of starting a speech and gaining the audience's attention is to use a famous or relatable quote. This approach can give your audience context for your topic and connect it to something they recognize. For instance, if you plan to give a speech on a political ...

  17. How to prepare a speech in English

    1. A strong opening Begin by introducing yourself and your topic. An easy opening line could be. Good morning/good evening/good afternoon. My name is [your name] and I am the/a (n) [your job title] at [name of your company]. Today, I'd like to explain [introduce your topic].

  18. 10 Tips for Improving Your Public Speaking Skills

    In part one of this series, Mastering the Basics of Communication, I shared strategies to improve how you communicate.In part two, How to Communicate More Effectively in the Workplace, I examined how to apply these techniques as you interact with colleagues and supervisors in the workplace.For the third and final part of this series, I'm providing you with public speaking tips that will help ...

  19. My School Speech For Students in English

    Speech For Students on My School. Schools are considered as the temple of knowledge for students. Schools prepare the students to be future leaders and help them to face problems without any fear. Schools help students in understanding the importance of discipline and time management. Similarly, my school played an important role in shaping my ...

  20. My School Speech for Students: 3-5 Minutes Speech in English

    My School Speech in English: 3-5 Minutes Speech. School is always special to us. It is where we spend fourteen years of our lives making new friends, learning and experiencing new things and making some of the best memories. Everyone's experience with school is unique. The school makes you ready to face the world.

  21. Trump Falsely Claimed Kids Go to School and Return with 'Sex-Change

    Trump Falsely Claimed Kids Go to School and Return with 'Sex-Change Operations' The former U.S. president repeated this claim during a September 2024 campaign speech delivered in Tucson, Arizona.

  22. Q&A with Clinical Audiologist and Speech Language Pathologist Sallie

    I am an Audiologist and Speech Language Pathologist in the cochlear implant program. I have been with the department for twenty-three years. ... Our youngest daughter Amara is a junior in high school and is involved in several sports. Tim has retired from the public school system but keeps busy with odd jobs and volunteer work. Last but not ...

  23. Speech is never totally free

    The First Amendment, adopted in 1791, establishes that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances."

  24. Onam Festival: Short and Long Speech Ideas for Students

    Discover engaging speech ideas for the Onam festival, designed to inspire students with both short and long options. Dive into Keralas colorful celebrations, rich traditions, and cultural significance with these creative suggestions, which will be beneficial for students preparing for school presentations.

  25. Donald Trump to address the Israeli American Coalition in person

    President Donald Trump addresses the Israeli American Council National Summitat the Diplomat Beach Resort in Hollywood, Fla., Dec. 7, 2019. Some took some of his comments as anti-Semitic.

  26. Oklahoma teacher facing decertification over private Instagram post

    The First Amendment prohibits disciplining a teacher for political speech made as a private citizen, multiple lawyers and free speech experts said. ... He teaches AP English at Edmond Public Schools. He's one of the plaintiffs suing the state over HB 1775 because, he said, the law inhibits his ability to teach. After the law passed in 2021 ...

  27. Admiral William McRaven Delivers Fiery Speech In New Texas Football

    The UTSA Roadrunners might not be the most intimidating opponent, but if Texas doesn't show up prepared, it could become a dogfight. Yes, Texas should win, but a mindset of being "entitled to ...

  28. Legacy Schools in Arizona discriminated against English learners

    Legacy Traditional Schools, a network of Arizona charter schools, agreed to cooperate with the feds after it was found guilty of discriminating against students who didn't speak English.

  29. How to make the best out of LingQ when starting a new language?

    For all intents and purposes, this is the first time I learn a language from scratch. I've started learning English at school since the first grade, and started consuming English media (TV shows, YouTube, etc. since I was 8 years old) and so I like to say that I learned English automatically, during the "critical period" in early adolesence.

  30. Hindi Diwas 2024: Best short, long Hindi Diwas speech in English, Hindi

    Hindi Diwas is celebrated with a lot of excitement in schools, colleges, and government offices. With Hindi Diwas 2024 approaching, students looking for the best long and short Hindi Diwas speech ideas in English and Hindi can find helpful suggestions here. This will give you a good idea about Hindi Diwas.