WHEN SPEAKING, OPEN YOUR MOUTH

Don’t talk through clenched teeth.  Speakers need to open their mouth’s properly when speaking in order that all words and all sounds (fricative and plosive) can be heard.

Trying to understand the words and the statements being made by people who do not open their mouth’s properly can be listening agony. It is also a fairly rapid turn off for people who are trying to listen. Their minds shut off, their thoughts wander away and the speaker might well be talking to the ceiling for all the good he or she is doing.

Talking through teeth that are all but closed can happen when speakers feel nervous or apprehensive. Being aware of this possibility is important. It is an issue an evaluator will pick up, but self awareness and self correction should also be considered