What to Do This Summer? Why Not Start Practising to Become a Speaker?

Sunshine and new ideas

July heat on your skin, toes used to flip-flops, and a carefree ice cream cone melting on your fingers. In the summer idyll your mind relaxes — sometimes enough that you feel like trying something new. What if this summer's wild card were public speaking? It may sound odd next to a beach read and a hammock, but think about it: speaking is not as scary as people often assume, and it can even be surprisingly fun. The sun is out, holiday days remain, and the air holds the promise of adventure. So why not, in peace and quiet, take a small head start on training to become a speaker?

What is the point of being able to speak (besides the weather)?

Finnish small talk famously gets stuck on the weather: “Lovely sunny day, isn't it?” But what if you had other conversation starters? Good speaking skills help in almost everything. Whether you are pitching a new idea in a work meeting, trying to chat on a first date, or asking grandma for her famous family recipe — it helps to express yourself clearly and engagingly. Confident presentation does not mean talking over others; it means getting your point across so the other person nods in understanding. Research suggests strong communication and speaking skills boost self-confidence and help in both relationships and work. With them you can convey ideas more convincingly, influence listeners, and even build better connections between people. Not a bad return for a skill many dread like a thundercloud in July!

It is also fun to notice how smooth language carries you through small everyday moments. When you learn to say more than “yeah, sure” at the coffee table, you can get ideas heard, suggest a new game night to the cottage crew, or persuade a friend to join a spontaneous road trip to Germany. Speak persuasively and you might even get grandma to reveal the secret-ingredient pie recipe. Who could refuse a polite, warm request? Eloquence opens doors in many situations — new acquaintances at summer park events, and making ideas real in work projects. When you dare to open your mouth, the world opens back.

What if you just tried? (6 ways to start without embarrassment)

Does even the thought of practising speaking feel embarrassing? That is completely understandable — but in summer you are allowed to take it easy here too. Try these six fun tricks unnoticed, to get speaking practice without unnecessary stiffness or nerves. They are like small summer adventures in your everyday life, and nobody will score you.

Mirror talk in the bathroom: Picture this: you stand in the bathroom toothbrush in mouth, foam at the corner of your lips, delivering the speech of your life to your reflection. The mirror does not laugh at you (unless the foam moustache is especially charming). Speaking to your own reflection is a classic way to get used to presenting. Many famous speakers in history started exactly like this. When you watch yourself speak, you learn to notice and feel your body language better — gestures, expressions, posture. At first it feels silly (you may burst out laughing mid-sentence, and that is fine), but gradually a more confident speaker looks back from the mirror. Mirror talk is private practice with zero risk of messing up and a steep learning curve. Pretty good deal, right?

Imitating a TED speaker: The living-room sofa becomes a sea of spectators and you step onto the stage — or rather the rug. The boldest can even stand on the coffee table. Play an inspiring TED talk — say Sir Ken Robinson's famous talk on creativity — and try to mimic the speaker's style. Gesture with your hands like a world-famous visionary, repeat phrases, even try a British accent if you feel like it. At first it makes you laugh, but you also learn pacing and how a good speaker breathes between sentences. When you play TED speaker, your own words start finding their place more securely. Even with no audience, you can hear the difference — your speech flows a little more smoothly than before.

Voice message to a friend: Next time you are walking on a beautiful summer evening and a thought pops into your head, grab your phone and record a voice message for a friend. Tell them how the sky is pink like candy floss today, or how you created an awkward ketchup moment at the barbecue. It does not matter what — as long as you speak for a couple of minutes straight. A voice message is great practice because you know someone will listen, but you do not have to see the listener's reaction live. You also learn to express yourself naturally without audience pressure. Best of all, your friend will be happier to get more than a plain “lol” text. Later on the terrace you can laugh at the story together — and you will have quietly built speaker experience.

One-minute monologue on anything: Set your phone timer for one minute. Look around and pick the first word or object that catches your eye — say “sausage” or “that odd décor piece in the hallway.” Then talk about it without stopping until the timer goes off. Yes, completely off the top of your head, no preparation! At first your brain grinds empty: “What am I supposed to say about a sausage for a minute?” Then you drop the inner censor and let rip. You will be surprised how many thoughts emerge when you have to produce them. This spontaneous monologue teaches you to speak smoothly without a script. Improvisation skill grows almost unnoticed, and you learn that a little stumbling is nothing to fear. Words find their way once you get going.

Spiel as grill master: You stand proudly in front of your barbecue and friends at the table. Hungry faces everywhere, impatient glances at the grill. The situation is made for a small surprise speech! You blurt out a spontaneous line: “Let's wait just a moment in good spirits — I promise this sausage will be worth the first bite!” People startle, then laugh. The ice is broken. A small public throw in front of guests quietly raises your courage level. You get instant feedback: smiles, nods (or at most one glare from the hungriest person). A barbecue speech is like a summer game where you learn to speak to an audience relaxed in an everyday setting. And it does not matter if it is not perfect — they probably will not remember long, and you got practice for bigger stages.

A talking pigeon or stuffed-animal audience: Do you have a pet or a couple of childhood stuffed animals lying around? Recruit them as your audience! Sit down next to your dog or line up teddy bears neatly and give them a speech. The topic can be anything under the sun — explain today's menu or tell the story of getting lost on the forest trail again. Your pet tilts its head attentively (probably wondering whether “outside,” “food,” or “walk” was mentioned). The stuffed animals smile sweetly the whole time. You may feel silly — and that is the point. You learn to speak relaxed, without fear of being judged. Animal and teddy audiences are the most forgiving audiences there are. Nobody boos if you forget a word. And your own voice starts sounding more confident when you have told Rex the sofa dog everything on your mind.

Speak now or… in the autumn

Despite all these small summer experiments, the main thing to remember is that it is not that serious. Summer is the perfect time to go a little wild and test skills without performance pressure. When the mercury rises, the threshold to seize the moment drops: nobody expects master-speaker moves around the campfire. That is exactly why it is easy now to breathe deep and open your mouth. If you mess up, that is part of it. Mistakes are just salty seawater on the path of learning.

When autumn arrives, you may suddenly notice your mouth no longer dries up when a work meeting starts, or your voice no longer shakes when you present an idea to the team. Over the summer you will have quietly gathered a little speaking experience. One speaking coach says anyone can overcome the fear of public speaking with small, consistent steps like these. Even tiny progress builds courage until one day you realise speaking in front of an audience no longer frightens you the same way. And if it still does — you can always go back to the mirror or whisper encouragement to yourself: “Go for it — it was not that serious even in summer.” The main thing is to start. Even slowly, on your own backyard in the warmth of the grill. Now is exactly the right moment — speak now, or at least before autumn!

Sources

[1] RoleCatcher: “Teach the principles of public speaking: Complete skill guide” (October 2024). Available: https://rolecatcher.com/fi/taitojen-opas/kovia-taitoja/viestinta-yhteistyo-ja-luovuus/opetus-ja-koulutus/opeta-julkisen-puhumisen-periaatteet/.

[2] Cobain, D.: “How to Practice Public Speaking at Home” (SpeakerHub, 26 Oct 2021). Available: https://speakerhub.com/skillcamp/how-practice-public-speaking-home.

[3] Mykel, D. W.: “Overcome Your Fear of Public Speaking by Starting Small” (LinkedIn, 22 Aug 2016). Available: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/overcome-your-fear-public-speaking-starting-small-mykel-m-a-lion-.