5 movies to improve your public speaking skills
- Juliet Leung
- Sep 13, 2017
- 3 min read
Is your mind still replaying the glorious moments of summer and could not free up extra space for school work? Well, try using these movies to slowly bridge the gap between fun and work. Relax and entertain yourself, while not losing out on the valuable lessons that the characters teach you about public speaking and life.
The King’s Speech (2010)
What happens when the enigmatic Mr Darcy from Pride and Prejudice is pressured to make a public speech as a member of the English royal family? Well, he stammers (a lot). But when Lionel Logue, played by Captain Barbossa turned speech therapist Geoffrey Rush, steps in, Prince Albert (Colin Firth) begins to improve. Away with munching on marbles to improve enunciation. Let Logue become your teacher as well to banish your stage fright and improve your style. Try out tongue twisters, soliloquys, and physical exercises along with His Highness. Afterwards, you can surely address a crowd with utmost confidence, in school and beyond.
My Fair Lady (1964)
“The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain.” Audrey Hepburn, one of the most beloved actresses of the 20th century, plays Eliza Doolittle, an unassuming cockney girl with an ambition to work in a flower shop. Seeking treatment from Mr Higgins, her speech transforms her into an upper class young lady. Try to ignore the harshness of Mr Higgins and his borderline insane training methods. Instead, be inspired by Eliza to put an effort to improve your own speech delivery skills. Practice, practice and practice; eventually, you will find a way to deliver a speech that is most comfortable for you.
The Great Debaters (2007)
We all have our little hitches when it comes to public speaking, whether it is in researching for the right material, writing an eloquent speech, or delivering it with style and poise. The debaters of Wiley College face a greater one: they are an African-American university team who are going to face Harvard debaters at the time when America still had segregation laws. This is a great movie to watch as each of the characters teach you how to overcome adversities, such as having to prepare for speeches in a short time, facing tougher opponents, and to overcome their inner fears. It is a truly inspirational movie for aspiring public speakers and debaters, or even if you are just finding someone to look up for to become a braver and more confident person.
Dead Poet’s Society (1989)
“Oh Captain, my captain!” How do you feel about jumping up onto the table and reciting lines? Or being blindfolded in class, forced to deliver an impromptu poem? “Dead Poet’s Society” tells the story of the eccentric teacher John Keating, played by the late Robin Williams, helping students to break out of their shells and find their own identity. There is an infinite trove of lessons to learn from the movie. For instance, every speech of Mr Keating is so inspirational and moving that you are tempted to jump into action after him. Learn how his tone and body language helps him achieve this! Moreover, he might just be the kick start you need to set yourself on the coming year of lessons and hard work.
Akeelah and the Bee (2006)
The movie tells the story of little Akeelah making her way to the national spelling bee competition. On the journey, she makes friends, meets a tutor, but at the same time encounters obstacles, such as family opposition and her tutor quitting his job. Nevertheless, she fights hard to overcome difficulties. In this movie, you will learn how resources are endless no matter where you are if you can just set your mind on a task. You may enlist the help of friends and family, or make use of every opportunity to practice just as Akeelah does to make sure she can spell correctly on stage. Be as resourceful as Akeelah, and you will eventually succeed in delivering the perfect speech, or finishing the best piece of work.
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