JAM topic · Intermediate
Overcoming a Fear of Speaking
Share a time when you had to face a fear of public speaking and how you handled it.
How to structure your minute
- 1
Start
explain the scary situation you faced
- 2
Middle
describe how you prepared and conquered it
- 3
End
reflect on how you felt afterwards
Sample answer
about 138 words · 1 minuteIn high school, I was terrified of public speaking and always avoided talking in front of crowds. However, during my final year, every student was required to give a five-minute presentation to the entire class. The thought of standing on stage made me extremely nervous, and I could not sleep well for days. To overcome my fear, I decided to practice my speech in front of a mirror every evening. I also asked my best friend to listen to me and give helpful feedback. On the presentation day, my hands were shaking, but I took a deep breath and started talking slowly. As I continued, my confidence grew, and I finished without making any major mistakes. That day, I realized that preparation is the key to overcoming anxiety. Now, I feel much more comfortable speaking publicly when needed.
Use it for ideas. Say it your own way.
Useful phrases
be terrified of ...
My brother is terrified of heights.
take a deep breath
Before starting your speech, take a deep breath.
without making any ...
She spoke for ten minutes without making any mistakes.
overcome my fear
I want to overcome my fear of swimming.
Common mistakes
I was terrified for public speaking.
I was terrified of public speaking.
The adjective 'terrified' takes the preposition 'of'.
I did not could sleep well.
I could not sleep well.
Modal verbs like 'could' do not use 'did not'.
Tips for this topic
- Use transition words like 'however' and 'as I continued' to bridge thoughts.
- Pause briefly after key moments to control your pacing.
Now say it yourself
Speak on “Overcoming a Fear of Speaking” for one minute. You get what went well and the one thing to fix.