Inspirational English, Issue 39, July/Aug 2017 Inspirational English, Issue 39 July Aug 2017 | Page 25

Continued from previous page
Start talking positively (aka no more negative)
When you move towards what you want rather than away from what you want, you speak with a much more
powerful voice. Instead of saying “I have to stop dating losers” say ” I will date people who bring out my best”.
Instead of saying ” Stop arguing with your brother” say “I would love to hear you speak kindly to one another.”
It’s not just what you say but how you say it.
There has been a ton of research about how power postures and body language affect your ability to be heard
successfully. Here are a few quick tips on how to speak once you have made your word choices:
1. Make eye contact when you speak.
2. Shoulders back.
3. Hands on hips or at your side.
4. Legs hip distance apart.
5. If seated sit forward with arms and legs uncrossed.
6. Use adequate volume to display authority without being loud.
Spending just a bit of time tweaking the way you speak can improve communication at work, at home, and in
your personal relationships. Take charge of your word choices to transform your mind.
The article has been kindly provided by the author Tamara Lechner to serve the
purpose of this lesson plan. Thank you, Tamara! You can find more articles by the
author on http://www.ahamoments4u.com/
Ask your students to read the article again and answer the questions:
1. What impact do negative words have on our body?
2. How does the word “yet” change the meaning of a sentence?
3. Why should we replace the word “busy” with “productive” or “full”?
4. Which words create a stronger statement of intention?
5. When do we speak with a more powerful voice?
6. What else do we need to do in order to have successful communication?
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