Brief Summary
This video explains why mastering rate of speech is crucial for effective communication and provides practical exercises to improve it. It highlights the importance of being able to speak both quickly and clearly, adapting to the fast-paced consumption of content in today's world. The video introduces three key exercises: tongue twisters, free-flow speaking, and reading with a pencil in your mouth, to develop the necessary muscle strength and coordination for varied and engaging speech.
- Rate of speech is a controllable skill, not a fixed trait.
- Speaking quickly and clearly is essential for engaging modern audiences.
- Three exercises can significantly improve rate of speech and articulation.
Intro
The video starts by highlighting a common scenario where someone's speech either causes others to lose interest or struggles to keep up. It challenges the misconception that rate of speech is an unchangeable personality trait, presenting it instead as a skill that can be developed. The video promises to teach a "gear shift method" using three simple drills to enable effortless transitions between slow and fast speech while maintaining clarity.
Why you need to learn "rate of speech"
The importance of developing rate of speech is discussed, emphasising its role in becoming a more engaging communicator. Most people can comfortably speak at a rate between zero and six or seven on a scale of zero to ten, but struggle with clarity at faster speeds (8-10). Growing up in an environment where rapid speech is common, such as in Vietnamese or Chinese families, can naturally develop this skill. In today's world, people often increase the playback speed of online content like YouTube videos and audiobooks, making it essential for communicators to be able to speak quickly and clearly. The ability to vary one's rate of speech makes one more engaging and effective, especially when others have the option to speed up the content.
Exercises to speak faster and clearer
The video introduces three exercises to help improve speaking speed and clarity. The first exercise involves tongue twisters, which train the lips and tongue to move quickly between different positions. Practising tongue twisters slowly at first, with exaggerated lip and jaw movements, helps build muscle strength and speed. The second exercise is free-flow speaking, which aims to strengthen the connection between the mind (software) and the mouth (hardware). This involves dedicating 15 minutes to speaking whatever comes to mind, without judgement, starting slowly and gradually increasing speed. Communication frameworks like PAR 321 and PREP can be used to structure thoughts during this exercise. The third exercise involves placing a pencil in the mouth and reading aloud for 5 minutes, which overworks the tongue and lip movements, ultimately improving articulation and clarity.
