Good Posture and Good Eye Contact Checklist
If you have adult students, then teaching them how to give a good speech should be high on the agenda. Especially if you are teaching corporate classes. Many of my ex-students were in fact required to give speeches in English from time to time at their company.
Making a good first impression is important. Even before you say your first words, your posture and eye contact should show the audience that you are calm, well-prepared, confident and ready. If you being with good posture and good eye contact, it will be easy for you to maintain a positive physical message throughout your speech.
Below is the checklist I taught students in order to give a good speech.
- Set your Feet
Place your feet shoulder-width apart.
Balance your weight evenly on both feet.
This posture is stable and shows self-control and confidence. This is a firm foundation to build a speech upon. - Set your Hands
Hold your hands together.
Keep them about waist high in front of you.
This posture focuses attention on your upper body and face, and is an easy position to gesture from. - Eye Contact
Look at the audience for 3 seconds before you begin.
Look at several people throughout the audience.
Communication with the audience begins when you make eye contact. The 3-second wait lets you collect your thoughts before you begin. - Presentation Voice
Take a deep breath.
Begin speaking in a voice 150% louder than your usual conversation voice.
Speaking loudly releases nervous energy and give your speech enthusiasm.