public speaking anxiety
nervousness or fear about speaking in front of an audience
Example: He suffers from public speaking anxiety during presentations.
Advanced listeningDuration 00:02:42
English Listening Practice (Advanced) - Public Speaking Anxiety
This advanced English listening practice, "Public Speaking Anxiety," helps you build real-world comprehension with clear goals. You will listen for main ideas, details, and key phrases while building confidence with natural English. The activity mirrors test-style listening but stays practical for daily use. After the audio, you will answer questions, review corrections, and reflect on what you heard. Use the transcript in Study Mode to check vocabulary, notice pronunciation patterns, and confirm meaning. If you want a challenge, switch to Practice Mode and try again without the transcript. Regular, focused listening like this is one of the fastest ways to improve understanding and fluency.
Topic focus: A university student named Jordan visits the campus counseling center to discuss his struggles with public speaking. He is preparing for a major class presentation and seeks advice from the counselor, Mr. Bill, on how to manage his anxiety.
Audio
1) Listen once for the main idea. 2) Answer questions. 3) Study the transcript.
Questions
Answer each question based on the audio. Use Practice Mode to test yourself without the transcript.
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Vocabulary
Key terms from this listening practice with meanings and examples.
paralyzing
causing someone to be unable to move or act
Example: The fear was so paralyzing that I couldn’t speak.
grounding techniques
methods to calm oneself and stay focused
Example: I use grounding techniques like deep breathing before speeches.
reframing
changing how you think about something to reduce stress
Example: Reframing the situation helped me feel more confident.
desensitization
gradual exposure to reduce fear
Example: Watching videos of speeches helped with my desensitization.
anticipation
the act of looking forward to something with anxiety or excitement
Example: The anticipation before the talk was worse than the talk itself.
stammering
speaking with pauses or repeated sounds due to nervousness
Example: He started stammering when he forgot his lines.
strategic pauses
planned breaks in speech to improve clarity and control
Example: Using strategic pauses made her speech more powerful.
Post-listening questions
Use these reflection prompts to summarize what you heard and practice speaking or writing.
- 1
What caused Jordan to develop a fear of public speaking?
- 2
What techniques did Ms. Patel suggest to help Jordan manage his anxiety?
- 3
Have you ever experienced anxiety before a presentation? How did you deal with it?