Public speaking is a skill usually requires a lot of practice, perseverance, and patience.
As a result, most people are often afraid of speaking in public.
To overcome this fear, you need regular mentoring, monitoring, and refinement.
So, What Are Some Hobbies That Involve Public Speaking?
1. Performing Arts
First, on you, our top ten list for some of the hobbies that entail public speaking is participating in the performing arts.
This can involve anything from dramatic readings or theater plays to poetry or stand up comedy.
When performing in any form of art, whether it is poetic readings or theater performances, you will be given a script or written piece that will require you to study and memorize it before the actual performance.
The skills required when participating in these events are usually different from the ones needed for debates or speeches, but just as important as those used in public speaking.
In some art performances, you may have to act the whole with costumes and sets, while others might involve less work-life in a brief dramatic reading.
Participating in art is an effective way of practicing and improving your public speaking skills.
2. Transitioning Practice Using Story Cards
The transitioning game is a fun and exciting public speaking activity where you are given two words on two cards.
You will be required to narrate a story that connects the two given words within a specified amount of time.
This game helps improve your public speaking skills by helping you overcome your hesitation of speaking in public.
You will also feel comfortable narrating a story that you have made by yourself and giving you an opportunity to improve your speaking skills in an informal setting.
Moreover, the transitioning with story cards game helps improve your imagination, fluency, and expression to develop your public speaking skills.
3. 30-second Filler-Free game
The straight 30-second filler-free game is a public speaking game that helps avoid the use of filler words like “um” and “uh” when delivering a speech or speaking to the public.
Using filler words in a formal setting is usually unprofessional and may make the message you are communicating challenging to listen to.
The use of filler words also makes you seem less authoritative and prepared.
When playing this game, you will be required to record yourself for thirty seconds while talking about any random topic.
Whenever you use a filler word while speaking, you will have to start over again and re-record yourself.
This 30-second filler-free exercise or game should be practiced at least ten times daily for better public speaking skills.
4. Participating in Speeches and Debates
Participating in debates and making speeches are among the surest ways of improving your public speaking skills.
When participating in discussions, you are required to effectively convince a judge that your point of view is more valid than the other person’s opinion.
You will also be required to research each of your points extensively and get to learn the possible arguments that the other opposing side could make.
Each of these events involved in debates serves as a different form of public speaking and usually requires a unique talent and skill.
Through participation, you will be able to build on several vital public speaking skills.
5. Playing the Banjo
Engaging in creative activities is extremely helpful for staying relaxed and calm.
People frequently dealing with stressful situations often resolve to play musical instruments such as the banjo can help them control their negative feelings.
According to hospitality insights, playing calm music also helps your body increase the production of endorphins, which plays a vital role in ensuring you are calm and relaxed even in stressful situations.
6. Improv
Another activity that involves public speaking is Improv.
With Improv, you will be required to listen keenly to what each of the previous speakers has said, and when it is your turn, make quick decisions on how to continue and keep the story flowing.
Improv is a quick-paced activity that allows you to engage with your audience by portraying public confidence even though the story you are narrating is completely made up.
Skills gained during Improv can also be beneficial when applying for a future job.
7. Karaoke
Are you having difficulties speaking in public? Then it would help if you considered Karaoke.
Karaoke is one of the hobbies that can instill confidence in people who are customarily reserved or shy away from speaking to people.
With Karaoke, you may end up finding yourself loosening up and singing out loud in public.
An added advantage with Karaoke is that the audience is usually very supportive whether you know how to sing or not.
By making Karaoke a habit, you will be able to learn how to speak in front of large crowds and, in turn, improve your self-confidence.
8. Impromptu Speaking Skills
The prominent problem people face when memorizing or reading a script is nervousness, which may cause them to speak too slowly or speak even more quickly.
Again, in reality, some people tend to speak too fast or too slow.
This makes communication much more difficult to be understood and can sometimes lead to misinterpretation.
Nonetheless, it is often advisable to perform an impromptu speech or talk about a specific topic for some time before the actual presentation.
This will help prevent you from feeling nervous and improve your public speaking skills.
One of the easiest and quickest ways of improving your public speaking skills is by watching yourself speak.
You can also consider recording yourself with the help of a camera, and once you are done recording, play the recording back and do some self-evaluation.
Some of the things you should look out for are your body language movements, which can indicate if you are nervous or confident when talking.
Moreover, you can try listening to the recording with no volume to evaluate your nonverbal communication and determine if it has an effect on your overall presentation.
9. Twister
Though often considered a game for children, twister has continued to be more and more fun and entertaining games for adults.
The game is quite simple as all you need to do is follow some simple instructions and share a few laughs while playing.
Twister also requires some degree of teamwork and negotiation to avoid falling and complete the task successfully.
Moreover, the game helps improve your public speaking skills by making you feel comfortable with people invading your close personal space.
10. Anything Involving Formal Presentations
Lastly, public speaking skills can be further developed through activities involving formal presentations, whether they are presented to one person or the public.
These types of activities can include tutoring, science fairs, and addressing a student council.
In each of these activities, you will need to deliver a presentation that clearly outlines the project you are working on and its importance and demonstrates your professionalism.
You will also be required to speak clearly, confidently and at some point, involve the audience.
Conclusion
Whether you are asked to conduct an interview on the television or radio, speak in front of a large audience, or run a one-on-one meeting with your superiors, it is customary to get nervous.
However, by trying out any of the above-listed hobbies that involve public speaking, you are guaranteed to get rid of any pressure and feel much more confident and authoritative in the conversation.
Related
References
https://hospitalityinsights.ehl.edu/hobbies-soft-skills