Page 73 - Teaching Principles and Methods Student Textbook short

Add Variety to your Speaking
To make your lesson effective and interesting, you can apply certain techniques. However, it is
important not to sound false or overly theatrical. While words convey meaning, how they are
said reflects feelings and emotions. Vocal variety can be achieved by variations in:

Pace: This is the speed at which you talk. If speech is too fast then the listeners will not
have time to assimilate what is being said. Nevertheless, it is a good idea to vary the pace -
quickening up at times and then slowing down – this will help to maintain interest.

Volume: By raising or lowering volume occasionally, you can create emphasis. If you drop
your voice to almost a whisper (as long as it is projected) for a sentence or two, it will make
your audience suddenly alert, but be careful not to overuse this technique.

Pitch - Inflection – Emphasis: When speaking to your class, try to convey the information
with as much vocal energy and enthusiasm as possible. This does not mean your voice has
to swoop and dive all over the place in an uncontrolled manner. Try to make the talk
interesting and remember that when you are nervous or even excited, vocal chords tense
and shorten causing the voice to get higher. Emphasize certain words and phrases within
the talk to convey their importance and help to add variety.

Pause: Pauses are powerful. They can be used for effect to highlight the preceding
statement or to gain attention before an important message. Listeners have time to
interpret meaning during those few seconds of silence, so have the courage to pause
for a few seconds – dramatic pauses like this convey authority and confidence.

2. Take a moment in Prayer.

You are about to think through a plan for your presentation, but as you know, you cannot do anything
that will last eternally in your own strength. You need the guidance of the Lord in the thoughts you are
about to pursue. So pray that the Holy Spirit will guide your thoughts, give you the ideas and plans that
He desires that will open the hearts of your students.

3. Select a method or methods of presentation appropriate for the size of the class you will be
teaching.

In a precious part of this course, we have listed 35 various methods from which you may
select to use in your teaching process. Let’s assume you will be teaching a class of 30
students, all adults and all in their 20’s to 30’s in age. That information lets you know
that you will have to select a method or methods that best suits a large group. Your first
choice will be lecture, but you do not want to use that exclusively. So let me suggest
some ways to use lecture and multiple other methods to make the class more
interesting, as well as possibly increase student retention.

As you have learned, every presentation begins with a HOOK. The hook can be anything that will
capture the attention of the class and drive them into the topic at hand. Many of the methods could do
this. Let’s choose a dramatization. You will write a short drama with three main characters. Then
contact three people in the class who are outgoing and can act and see if they would be willing to

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