The Margins of Words

Are you good at giving speeches?
Japanese people tend to be quite shy.
I wonder if many people find it difficult?


Even though I am a teacher now,
I don't mind speaking,
but when I was a student, I hated being called on by the teacher.
Because I didn't know the answers (tears).


I also have memories of struggling
with speeches when I was a student.
I didn't know where to start.


So, nowadays,
I incorporate speeches
to help my students get used to them.
There is no shortcut other than that.


Once you understand how to structure it,
the rest is just practice.
Even if your voice is quiet at first, if you do it repeatedly,
your voice will project and you'll be able to see your surroundings.


It's interesting because students who stand out in class
are surprisingly bad at it,
while students who are usually quiet
can sometimes bring the house down with laughter.


Students with good communication skills
have words that flow easily.
They are also good at capturing attention.
Students who feel uncomfortable with speeches
often have a part of them that is convinced
they can't do it.
First, you need to remove the chains of 'incompetence'
that are stuck to their bodies.
Success experiences are the best way to remove those chains.


In the midst of this, there are times when a serious student who is not at all good at communication gets a huge laugh.

When do you think that is?

It is when there is a margin in the conversation.
That's hard to understand on its own, isn't it?


It happened two days ago.
A serious student who is not the type to make people laugh
gave a speech.


First, they started with a self-introduction.
Starting with where they live,
they talked about their favorite food,
and when they said,
'Tomatoes go well with rice!'
the students listeningall chimed in with

'No way, that's not true.
Is there anyone who actually does that!?'

with a collective retort.

Next, they talked about the currently popular TV drama
'silent'.

Haruna Kawaguchi and Ren Meguro (Snow Man)
are in it.


They talked extensively about how interesting this drama is,
and finally said,

'Actually, I've only seen the first and second episodes'

they said.


The students listening were bursting with laughter.
The student themselves wasn't trying to be funny at all.
The students listening said one after another,

'You've only seen it twice,
so why are you talking about it!'

they retorted.


The student, while confused, added,

'I secretly watch the recordings when my family isn't around!'

When they said that,
everyone burst into laughter,and then

'That's not such a crazy drama,'

they all retorted again.


Like this, you leave a margin for people to retort.
It gets a huge reaction.


It was the most exciting one yet.
Maybe it was even funnier because a serious student was talking like that.


Even the quiet female students were holding their stomachs,
clinging to their desks and laughing.


I see,



for speeches, you just need to create a margin in your words!!
I learned that from my students.Manzai comedy isexactly this structure, isn't it?
Because you make a retort


to the margin that is the 'boke' (funny man).
I wonder if this can be used for note as well?
Create a margin in the words
and make it ( ) to insert a retort.



What if I try this approach?
I would like to try it once.
Do you all know any tips for speeches?
I would be happy if you could tell me.
Thank you for reading until the end!!


Thank you as always for your likes, follows, and comments. It encourages me.