Words to know

go or speak at a lower speed

make mistakes when speaking because you're nervous or rushing

stop for a moment to relax or think

Step 1 of 5

Listen first

No text yet. Listen for who, where and what goes wrong.

HiroJulia

Practice · 3 min

Take Hiro's part first, then Julia's. Say his first speech line fast on purpose, then say his later lines slowly, with a real stop after each sentence. Notice how the joke about the skateboard only works when there's a pause before it.

  1. HiroOkay, I'm ready. Tell me if it's good. It's only two minutes.
  2. JuliaGo ahead. Pretend I'm two hundred wedding guests.
  3. HiroGood evening everyone my name is Hiro I've known Daniel since we were seven and—
  4. JuliaWait, wait. Hiro, slow down. I understood about four words.
  5. HiroReally? It felt normal to me.
  6. JuliaYou were going a hundred miles an hour. You didn't stop once.
  7. HiroI talk fast when I'm nervous. And I'm very nervous about this speech.
  8. JuliaI can tell. You tripped over Daniel's name, and he's your best friend.
  9. HiroThat's bad. The wedding is on Saturday.
  10. JuliaTry this. After every sentence, stop and take a breath.
  11. HiroThat will feel so slow. Won't people get bored?
  12. JuliaNo. The pauses are when they laugh. Give them time.
  13. HiroOkay. Let me try again. Good evening, everyone.
  14. JuliaGood. Now wait.
  15. HiroMy name is Hiro. I've known Daniel since we were seven years old.
  16. JuliaMuch better. You sound calm. Keep going.
  17. HiroAnd he still owes me a skateboard.
  18. JuliaSee? I laughed, because I had time to hear it.
  19. HiroOkay. Breathe, pause, skateboard. I think I can do this.

Say it today

Use it once in a real conversation before tomorrow. Out loud counts, even to yourself.