How can I improve my paralanguage?Paralanguage is like transforming what you have on paper to reality.  It includes vocal tones, facial expressions, and even hand gestures.  There are several ways to improve your paralanguage.  One of the best tools to improve is to get evaluation- both from yourself and others.Practice in the mirror.  Record yourself speaking and see what you could do better.  You can even run through your 15-min speech in a 2-3 minutes, just practicing which words you will emphasize-how you will stand, when you will smile, how you enunciate, when you shake your head and when you nod it, etc.No one like to listen to a monotone speech.  We’ve all seen those really knowledgeable guys get up and tell you some really interesting ideas but we just don’t pay attention because the way they are speaking.  Paralanguage is so essential for any job we may encounter- comedians, sports coaches, and politicians must use great paralanguage  Practice changing your tone-faster and slower, louder and softer.   There are many tricks, but the best is always hard work.  ApplicationSorry but just reading this website or even a thousand of them won’t do too much to improve your speaking skills.  We need to practice what we learn.Practice telling a favorite joke you have in front of the mirror.  Try it different ways to see which way would be the most appealing. Does it come out like you wanted it too?    Did you emphasize certain words to make the joke more funny. Practice until you feel real comfortable with it and practice it with your friends.  Did you keep eye contact?  To learn more about paralanguage, go to the link
What is paralanguage?

To see a wonderful example of good paralanguage by Jim Valvano, go to the link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePXlkqkFH6s

    How can I improve my paralanguage?

Paralanguage is like transforming what you have on paper to reality.  It includes vocal tones, facial expressions, and even hand gestures. 

There are several ways to improve your paralanguage. 

One of the best tools to improve is to get evaluation- both from yourself and others.

Practice in the mirror.  Record yourself speaking and see what you could do better.  You can even run through your 15-min speech in a 2-3 minutes, just practicing which words you will emphasize-how you will stand, when you will smile, how you enunciate, when you shake your head and when you nod it, etc.

No one like to listen to a monotone speech.  We’ve all seen those really knowlegable guys get up and tell you some really interesting ideas but we just don’t pay attention because the way they are speaking.  Paralanguage is so essential for any job we may encounter- comedians, sports coaches, and politicians must use great paralanguage  Practice changing your tone-faster and slower, louder and softer.   There are many tricks, but the best is always hard work. 



Application

Sorry but just reading this website or even a thousand of them won’t do too much to improve your speaking skills.  We need to practice what we learn.

Practice telling a favorite joke you have in front of the mirror.  Try it different ways to see which way would be the most appealing. Does it come out like you wanted it too?    Did you emphasize certain words to make the joke more funny.  Did you keep eye contact? 

To learn more about paralanguage, go to the link
What is paralanguage?


To see a wonderful example of good paralanguage by Jim Valvano, go to the link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePXlkqkFH6s