How to sound more natural when you speak English (Part 4)
CLASS FOUR ~ At a Master Class
Let Your Voice and Body Speak With You In this final Module of the abbreviated program you have been working, I want to share with you some important ‘tricks of the trade’.
Some really good things to know: You know, when a radio news announcer reads the news, he/she has many different topics and stories to cover in a very short period of time. Some stories are tragic and terrible, yet, by the end of the broadcast, the announcer has moved to a softer, and even cuter story. How does s/he do that in just a matter of seconds?
Radio announcers know two things:
Look the way you want to sound
Localise the look or feeling you want to communicate in your eyes. ⇛The feeling will automatically go straight to your diaphragm, the seat of all vocal expression. The diaphragm is the centre of your body; once you speak from your true voice, your body language will naturally follow suit.
Say It Like You Mean It! Read out loud the following words and make them sound the way they mean.
Find that place in your face where these words will come from.
FRAGRANT INTERESTING THUNDER BEAUTIFUL BLAZING HUNGRY WONDERFUL RINGING FIZZLE CLATTER THUD DELICIOUS WEEPING GOOD DEPRESSED SURPRISE HORRIBLE POWERFUL DISGUSTED REVITALISED SHIVER CHEWY GIGGLE SORROW ANGRY JOLLY ENCHANTED BRITTLE SPONGY SILKY JERKY BUBBLING SHATTER BROKEN PITTER SORRY GRIM WAVY TENSE CALM LAZY LAUGHTER PEACEFUL PATTER SOGGY Localise the following looks in your eyes and then say aloud:
Smooth as silk
Free as a bird
Freezing cold
Brilliantly coloured
A hot cup of coffee
An elegant extravaganza
A terribly bad time
What a concert
How could you?
How many times do I have to tell you?
This is the best thing that has ever happened to me
This is the worst thing that has ever happened to me
Practice this exercise regularly using a mirror to observe your facial expressions.
MAKE SURE YOU’RE HAVING FUN!
I hope you will remember that Practise Makes Progress!!!
Please don’t feel shy about bringing the music back into your voice and language. Remember, your true voice is alive and filled with enthusiasm and beautiful music.
Bring those rich tones and sounds to everything you say.
You’ll be amazed at how much more easily you can command the attention of your audience. After all, it’s all about saying what you mean and meaning what you say. In other words, Speak–Up and Speak with Conviction!
