prathesha  +  111588 Wed, 22 Jun 05 08:08 PM hai friends! iam a new member.i found this forum's discussions very use full to improve my english.i have a problem.i hope friends, u can help me solve it. i feel very easy to speak in english about a general topic when i speak alone at home and i feel quite confident.i don't stammer or feel nervous.but when i stand before a handfull of audience or some strangers where my performance is expected, i don't get it in the usual way i do at home. my words fight with each other , i become nervous and less confident and most of the times i end up with unclear speech. so, friends please tell how i can get rid of this. prathesha Joined on Wed, Jun 22 2005 INDIA New Member 11

	CalifJim  +  111717 Thu, 23 Jun 05 07:03 AM Welcome to EnglishForums, prathesha! Consider the possibility that this is just generalized stage fright and has nothing to do with your English. It's possible that the same symptoms appear when you speak before an audience or with strangers, even in your own native language. In either case, only continued experience will help. Each encounter you make it through makes the next encounter easier. You might try speaking English one-on-one with a tutor as much as possible in between your more stressful episodes. CJ CalifJim Joined on Mon, Aug 2 2004 California Veteran Member 22,465 "There are no facts, only interpretations" - Nietzsche Speaking English

	benita  +  111722 Thu, 23 Jun 05 07:26 AM Hello Prathesha! Lots of people have this sort of stage fear and as CJ says, it would get better with experience only. I have a small tip for you. Try and keep your sentences short & simple. This way, you will commit less grammatical errors and it will also help you to convey your ideas to the audiences, without much complication. benita Joined on Mon, Jan 31 2005 India Contributing Member 1,667 But I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep, and miles to go before I sleep - Robert Frost

	prathesha  +  111802 Thu, 23 Jun 05 01:45 PM thank u cj! the problem is i don't find one like that among the people i know here. but iam always in hunt for such a person. prathesha

	prathesha  +  111803 Thu, 23 Jun 05 01:50 PM thank u benita!! really i haven't tried this. most of the times i start with a long sentence in mind and finally i do something.so, im just going to follow ur tip. thanks yar! prathesha

	pieanne  +  111864 Thu, 23 Jun 05 05:40 PM Prathesha, You can also practise in front of a mirror. And when you speak in front of an audience, maybe you can focus on one or two persons, it'll help make the "crowd" less anonymous. pieanne Joined on Thu, Jan 20 2005 South of France ...But I'm Belgian! Veteran Member 7,517 I'm glad to help, but I'm not a native! And please excuse my typos...

	prathesha  +  111878 Thu, 23 Jun 05 06:47 PM pieanne, what is the best way to improve my vocabulary? i take some efforts but still u see, i am unable use my new words in an innovative way.how would i know the best usage for every new word i learn? u said i can focus on one or two persons but an eye contact with every one is the best way of communication.isn't it. what is ur opinion? prathesha Vocabulary

	pieanne  +  111881 Thu, 23 Jun 05 06:56 PM Prathesha, The best way to improve vocabulary is reading. As to your new words, I'd say first learn to use them in the regular way, before you start to innovate Once you've learned a new word, maybe you can visit the Cambridge site, and memorize how it is used? Or google the word, and see in which contexts it is used. Then yes, you're right, eye-contact is important. But if there are really many people in your audience, you can hardly make eye-contact with everyone. If you're not shy, you can try it. If you are, I think it's safer - for you - to target on a few friendly-looking persons. pieanne Vocabulary