Presenting or reading an essay?

VietNamNet Bridge – “In my class, those confident enough to present can be counted on one hand, and only they take part in discussions,” said Thy from Hanoi University of Social Sciences and Humanities.

Shy in speech

According to Thy, in discussion time in her class, students are divided into groups. The head of each group then collects group members’ opinions and make a presentation in front of the class.

Thy said such a way of discussion encouraged group members’ dependence on group chiefs. Students have chances to speak, but they often refuse, saying they’re “shy and not used to public speaking” or that they fear they won’t speak well and may affect their group’s grade.

Not only Thy’s classmates at Hanoi University of Social Sciences and Humanities, but many other Vietnamese students don’t have or catch the opportunity of presenting before class throughout the whole 4 years in college. This lack of practice of public speaking leads to shyness often seen when students have to defend their graduation dissertations.

Students of Class NB4 – 06 at the Japanese Department of Hanoi University, however, encounter another problem. They are enthusiastic enough to discuss or present in class, but they do not know how.

"Most students must take turns to present before class. Yet, they have the habit of reading monotonously from what they have written for the speech rather than speaking to the class,” said Vu Thanh Huyen, a student of Class NB4-06.

Yet, students aren’t always to blame when they don’t speak frequently or well enough. The opportunity to practice presenting also depends on the infrastructure and equipment of a particular school.

Nguyen Van Hanh from Hanoi University of Social Sciences and Humanities said, “A presentation room in my school has only two projectors. It is thus difficult for us to use slides or Power Point to present.”

And another important factor determining students’ public speaking skills is instructors. “If instructors don’t put much energy and time and passion into their classes, they will hesitate to give students chances to present, since doing so requires much preparation from instructors,” said Nguyen Viet Hoa, an instructor of Vietnamese language and culture studies at Hanoi University of Foreign Languages.

A key to success

With an aim to improve students’ social skills, some universities have started to organize public speaking activities. Hanoi Foreign Trade University is an example.

Nguyen Tra My, a junior student at this school, said that she had been used to presenting in her general education classes. As for major classes, they also emphasize students’ research and presentation.

Hanoi Foreign Trade University is also working with Tam Viet Centre, a high-quality public speaking training centre in Hanoi, to deliver training sessions on speaking and listening skills. Students’ clubs at the university frequently organize speaking contests as well.

Students from the Institute of International Relations are also considered luckier than others in having more chances to speak and being able to speak well.

Nguyen Hoang Hop from the Department of International Business said, “After studying presentation at school, I have learned that the most important thing in presentation is how to support and defend one’s own opinion in a persuasive way.”

"Though my academic records may not be as impressive as others’ but I have succeeded in many job interviews,” added Hop, who is currently working at the Trade Promotion Office at the Korean Embassy.

Studying at Culture University, which is not known for an excellent public speaking-oriented environment, Nguyen Tuyet Nhung has to find ways to improve her speaking skills on her own.

And all the efforts paid off when she was one of the finalists of VTV3’s competitive marketing contest. Nhung said the key to success was to confidently speak and demonstrate whatever talent one has.

Doctor Phan Quoc Viet from Tam Viet Centre agreed. "Good public speaking skills account for 70% of the success of a conversation. And successful conversations bring about success in business,” said Pham Quoc Viet.

Khuat The Dat