Communicating in English for non-native speakers (part 1)

How to get rid of nervousness?

Nervousness is a cliche issue for many speakers. Every speaker has this issue in their first appearance as a teacher, a sales person, a presenter etc

There are a few steps to get rid of nervousness. The steps are simple, but it has proved effective to reduce stress or nervousness.

1. Sit on a fairly hard chair.
2. To get rid of tension in your body, do the following:

• Stretch your arms out to your sides, up over your head, and back down.
• Move your head from side to side; then move it forward and downand then back; finally, move it back to a position where your chin is parallel to the floor.
• Stretch out your legs in front of you, flex your toes toward you,then point them away; flex them again and put your feet back down on the floor.
• Stretch your upper body up as high as you can, inhale, and as you exhale twist to the right; come back to center, stretch up and inhale again, and as you exhale twist to the left.

3. Get comfortable in your chair while remaining alert. Sit as far back in the chair as you can. Relax your hands, palms up, in your lap. Keep your spine straight, relax your shoulders, and keep your head level.  Feel the chair supporting you.
4. Close your eyes and lower your head. Take two normal breaths and then on the third breath exhale slowly, deeply, and steadily. Do not strain or force the breath. Maintain your posture.
5. Continue inhaling normally but drawing out every third exhalation.
After three to five minutes, resume breathing normally, and then lift
your head and open your eyes. You should feel calm and alert.

(source : Communicating Effectively in English - Oral Communication for non-Native Speakers by Porter and Grant:1992)