Raise your hand if you HATE public speaking.

Does the word "speech" make you cringe?

Does your heart start racing, and your hands start sweating just at the very thought of speaking in front of people?

You are not alone. You are most likely one of many who despises public speaking.

In high school, teachers would make us play an icebreaker game on the first day of school. We were required to stand up, introduce ourselves and state a “fun fact” about us to the class.

In my teachers’ minds, they probably thought this would help us all get to know each other. They probably learned the little game at a teacher workshop because every single teacher I had made me do this.

I dreaded this first day of class game because I hated public speaking. I remember watching other people in my class look around the room and tap their feet nervously. Who would have thought this silly activity would cause so much anxiety?

Forcing students to speak in front of the class is NOT OK.

The fear of public speaking does not make you antisocial. You can be the friendliest person on the planet but fear giving speeches.

Teachers should stop forcing their students to speak in front of the class because this one ability is not a measure of how wonderful and intelligent the person is.

I’m not saying public speaking should be taken out of schools completely, but it should just be an option. It shouldn’t be mandatory.

Now, at this point, you may be thinking this idea is crazy. Why should teachers stop forcing students to present reports orally or give speeches?

My answer is Glossophobia. It is the term for the actual fear of public speaking. Three out of four people suffer from this.

Glossophobia is the number one fear.

Yea, people fear public speaking more than death. Some would rather touch a spider than have to give a speech.

Ultimately, the fear begins as anxiety. This anxiety goes unresolved and is never addressed.

Then, it turns into a phobia. Those who know about anxiety will be the first ones to tell you that it can CRIPPLE you.

Now, if teachers understand that the fear of public speaking is an actual fear and that it causes anxiety for many students, why continue making it part of the curriculum?

Why do college students need to take a speech class?

Why do you have to present your research to the class after spending hours working on the paper?

Why inflict anxiety on students?

Addressing our fears and anxieties is key. It is necessary to move through life. I don’t believe it is necessary for schools to take the responsibility of making students get over this fear by forcing them to take a speech class or present in front of people.

Your ability to give a speech does not define you. It does not determine how smart, talented, creative, passionate or outgoing you are.

What you do with your fear and anxieties should be up to YOU and only YOU.