I get a similar response when I require high school students to give a 5-minute oral presentation of some aspect of their term paper (which have different topics different semesters) that would be relevant to the other students. There are many comments, even from students who participate in class, that this should not be required. Yet when they are successful (no one has ever not taken it seriously or done an unsatisfactory presentation), they become more confident. Many years ago, a student said she could not do the oral assignment because she never voluntarily speaks up in class. When told not speaking was not an option, she chose to present first. She discussed what peers could do if they think a friend is anorexic and did an outstanding presentation, which received great feedback from the other students. Several weeks later, she approached me and said that it was such a positive experience for her that she had begun speaking up in other classes. I relate this story every time I explain why I make it mandatory to give an oral presentation. As I tell the students, this student was a senior in high school. Isn't it too bad that she lost many opportunities to contribute in classes in the previous four years. But at least she will be more willing to speak in college and will be better prepared to do so in life, since thare will be many situations where speaking up will be necessary and the confidence to do so will be invaluable. Riki Koenigsberg, PhD
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