Six Notable Public Speaking Applications to Explore Prior to Your Following Oration
Are you looking to improve your public speaking skills? Look no further! In this article, we'll explore a range of apps and tips that can help you feel more confident, eliminate filler words, and master your pacing.
Confidence Boosters
Confident Public Speaking (Android) and Public Speaking with Andrew Johnson (iOS) are two apps that offer short, guided meditations, stress-coping tips, and relaxation exercises. They are designed to help speakers feel calm and confident before giving a speech.
Planning and Practice
One effective tip is to plan speeches verbally using voice recording apps like Voice Notes (Android) and Dragon Anywhere (iOS). This allows you to hear your own words and make adjustments as needed.
Simulated Rehearsals
VirtualSpeech is an app that can help sharpen your public speaking skills by simulating different settings such as boardrooms, conferences, and interviews. This can help you feel more prepared for real-life speaking scenarios.
Time Management
For events or contexts where you have limited control of the setting or environment, the Toastmaster Timer app is useful for knowing exactly when to transition through different parts of the speech. It uses a streetlight system to help speakers manage their time during speeches.
Voice Training
When it comes to voice training, three apps stand out: Orai, Speeko, and English Pronunciation AccentAI.
Orai provides instant, data-driven feedback to help reduce filler words, balance pacing, and improve vocal clarity and energy. It offers freestyle and scripted practice modes with transcription and tracks progress over time.
Speeko delivers real-time personalized feedback on speaking pace, tone, and filler words, with adaptive exercises tailored to the user. It is developed in collaboration with a top voice coach, which enhances its voice training capabilities.
English Pronunciation AccentAI focuses more on pronunciation and accent improvement, which supports clearer voice delivery and overall communication confidence.
Eliminating Filler Words
Ummo (iOS) is an app that can help eliminate filler words such as "um" and "uh" from speeches.
Pacing
To improve speaking pace in high-pressure contexts, practicing with the Metronome Beats app can be beneficial. It helps maintain a clear, conversational pace (110-160 words per minute).
Public Speaking Groups
Joining a public speaking group like Toastmasters can help speakers get comfortable with public speaking before pursuing important or paid gigs.
Managing Time
A simple bedtime clock can also be used on the podium or at the bottom of the stage to manage time during speeches.
Pro-Tips
- Replace filler words with pauses or deep breaths for better vocal resonance.
- Use only words that are confidently pronounceable or spend extra time practicing difficult words, especially when speaking about technical topics.
For deeper structured learning, online courses from platforms like Preply, Coursera, and LinkedIn Learning offer complementary public speaking classes. However, apps like Orai and Speeko specifically target speech mechanics and offer real-time feedback.
Public speaking apps like VirtualSpeech bring rehearsal to life by simulating real settings with tables to guide preparation and using VR to drop the speaker into lifelike scenes. The Toastmaster Timer app contains pre-set recommended time breakdowns for various common speech types and allows users to input their own time measures.
Remember, the best public speaking apps for your needs may depend on your platform preference, as Orai is available on Android and Speeko on iOS.
[1] Public Speaking Courses on Coursera [2] Orai: AI-Powered Public Speaking Coach [3] Speeko: Voice Coaching App [4] English Pronunciation AccentAI [5] Public Speaking Tips and Resources
Technology can aid in voice training by providing real-time feedback, such as Orai and Speeko. These apps offer personalized feedback on filler words, pacing, and articulation to help speakers improve their vocal clarity and overall confidence in their public speaking.
Incorporating technology into your lifestyle can also help reduce filler words, like using Ummo on iOS to eliminate common fillers such as "um" and "uh." This can make your speaking style more polished and professional.
