By: Wendy Acosta
Student Life
In college, the path one chooses can often lead to unexpected courses. For many students, the requirement of taking Speech 101 may appear as a detour from their majors or career plans. However, this seemingly divergent path can be a transformative journey that shapes the future, fuels personal growth and development, and creates lifelong bonds.
Before enrolling in a speech class, many individuals dread the thought of public speaking. It's not just fear; it's a deep-rooted distaste. Imagine the typical anxiety linked with public speaking, then multiply that by the additional weight of social anxiety. Throughout life, not many can recall an instance when speaking in front of a group, whether seated or standing, that didn't feel like torture. Words seemed to abandon them, leaving them lost and tongue-tied in the spotlight. Public speaking ranked as the last thing they wanted to do, and the fear surrounding it had a tight grip.
However, as a requirement for an associate's degree, students may find themselves in Professor Murdock's Speech 101-1 EXP course, surrounded by eager faces and dread. Uncertain about what may lay ahead, one thing was clear: the need to confront this paralyzing fear had no alternative. Little did students know that this decision would mark the beginning of a remarkable journey—one challenging preconceived notions and unlocking potential as communicators. While no one claims to be a public speaking master now, significant progress has been made, thanks to the invaluable "Speech Formula" learned in class. It has enabled effective presentations without causing emotional or mental harm.
Fortunately, it's a natural human tendency to gravitate toward others with similar fears and anxieties. This tendency led to special friendships with students generous enough to share their experiences.
Tracy Ho, a gender-neutral third-year undergraduate, found themselves in an unexpected adventure when enrolling in an 8-week speech class in 2021. Encouraged by theater arts Professor Thomas Murdock, Tracy Ho seized the opportunity to fulfill speech requirements, try something new, and share the journey with a friendly classmate. Before diving in, Tracy Ho grappled with the anxiety of public speaking, reflecting, "I have never been a confident person, not with myself and definitely not with public speaking."
As the course unfolded, Tracy Ho discovered the value of outlining for speech preparation, stating, "Organizing my thoughts into sections and subsections was super useful in eliminating weak points and highlighting strong ones." They also learned tricks, like keeping their fingers touching their thigh to control expressive hand movements. During memorable moments, they recall a touching speech that stood out, "I can’t remember specific details from that story, but I remember my eyes welling up with tears listening to him share his story."
The instructor, Professor Thomas Murdock, brought knowledge and experience, striving to create an inviting atmosphere with humor and stories. Tracy Ho noted, "He has a tendency to take things a little far for a joke, but there is no ill intent behind it. Cracking jokes and telling stories make the class feel easygoing and casual, yet he is serious when needed." Equipped with newfound skills, they felt ready to face real-life situations with assurance, knowing they could effectively express thoughts and ideas.
As the weekend trip approached, it became evident that this class significantly influenced Tracy's ability to communicate effectively in real-life situations. They explained, "At this point, I was comfortable with everyone and knew who I was speaking to, which was very reassuring and helpful. I also had the tools and understanding to speak effectively and efficiently. I was ready to speak to new people without worrying as much because I knew how to get my thoughts and ideas across to them. This newfound confidence and proficiency extended beyond the classroom, preparing me for real-life situations where effective communication is essential."
Meet Kiana Mundo, a dedicated second-year undergraduate art enthusiast at Wright College working toward her associate's degree. She ventured into uncharted territory when enrolling in a speech class. Encouraged by her art teacher, Mr. Patrick, who mentioned both academic benefits and an enticing trip to Wisconsin, Kiana Mundo took a leap of faith.
Despite initial nerves, Kiana Mundo embarked on this journey with determination. She admitted, "I was extremely nervous when I made the decision to go. I thought it was going to be me talking in front of a bunch of people. Thank goodness it was only like seven of us." (There were eleven.) This common fear of public speaking was a hurdle she bravely confronted.
Throughout the course, Kiana Mundo grappled with the challenge of eliminating filler words and maintaining composure during speeches. She humorously compared herself to Dory from Finding Nemo. In the middle of the learning process, she also experienced moments of embarrassment and camaraderie, such as showing up on the wrong day and unexpected paintball adventures - she got shot in the caboose.
Kiana fondly recalls her dynamic instructor, Professor Murdock, who left a lasting impression with his energetic and sassy teaching style. While Kiana may not have had a traditional "aha!" moment, she found fulfillment in making her classmates laugh during her speeches, forging connections that lasted beyond the classroom.
Kiana's journey through the speech class underscores the transformative power of confronting fears, finding humor in challenges, and forming lasting connections with fellow students.
Lastly, Sergio Romero, a second-year college student, joined this transformative journey by taking the 8-week speech class. He was introduced to Professor Murdock and the class during his orientation and introduction trip to the college in the fall of 2022. There, he met Professor Tom Murdock, who encouraged him to register for the speech class, and in Spring 2023, Sergio remembered the professor's words and decided to enroll. Before starting, Sergio did not have many fears about public speaking, but he did hope to improve his group communication skills as a tour guide and make new friends.
Throughout the class, Sergio Romero found Professor Murdock's advice about structuring speeches particularly useful: "When you are doing a speech all you need to do is to 'Tell them what you are going to tell them, tell them, tell them what you told them'." Sergio's memorable moments from the class include creating a makeshift fireplace during the trip and sharing personal stories around the fire. He appreciated Professor Murdock's teaching style, which made the class enjoyable from start to finish. Sergio's "Aha!" moment came during his second speech when the professor praised him for an outstanding presentation. The class also included team-building activities like the names game and scavenger hunts that strengthened bonds among classmates.
Looking ahead to the weekend trip, Sergio believed the class had significantly boosted his confidence in public speaking and group communication. He expected the trip to be a fun and disconnecting experience from technology and college-related stress. The trip exceeded his expectations with exciting activities and memorable moments.
From the trip, Sergio gained a sense of tranquility and interpersonal connections with classmates and the professor. The trip allowed him to form friendships he hadn't expected from his college experience, demonstrating the transformative power of confronting fears and building connections through the speech class.
We had the privilege of asking Professor Murdock about his teaching style and how he creates an engaging teaching environment:
Q&A with Professor Murdock:
1. What got you into teaching speech, and how long have you been doing it?
"I was inspired by a former Professor of mine... just under 30 years..."
2. What do you think are the key takeaways for students in a speech class?
"Gaining self-confidence, self-awareness, and interpersonal skills."
3. Do you have any tricks for dealing with those pre-speech jitters and anxiety?
"Prepare, Prepare, Prepare!!"
4. Any common hiccups students face while giving speeches, and how do you help them out?
"Being anxious/nervous is NORMAL.... if you did your preparation, rest assured it will take over once you begin..."
6. How's your class set up to help students become better speakers and more confident over time?
"We take increments of small steps that get bigger and bigger as we progress... making accomplishments all along..."
7. Seen any standout moments where students had breakthroughs or transformations in your class?
"Every semester.... the joy of what I do is to witness this growth"
10. How do you make your class a fun and engaging place where students want to participate and learn?
"Creating an atmosphere of safety is key... interpersonal work at the start of the semester is key... It is important for a student to get to know more of who they are first, then it allows for better communication with others moving forward. The experiential learning portion of the class is a huge part of this... it is a chance for students to put into the real world the concepts we have discussed in class... It allows all to experience leadership, teamwork, small group communication, consensus work, self-discovery, and much much more.... all leading to being better communicators. And it is FUN!"
Along with the personal wins and growth achieved throughout the course, there was a memorable two-day trip to Wisconsin just before our final speeches. During this adventure, we faced challenges even scarier than speaking in public. Activities included climbing towering heights, navigating tightrope walks, and braving a thrilling zip line. The stakes were high, and if you survived these heart-pounding feats, a well-deserved reward awaited: hot cocoa to warm spirits and ease nerves.
If you're interested in enrolling in the Speech 101-1 EXP class and would like more information, email TMurdock4@ccc.edu
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