Be Understood: The E4S Newsletter (June 2023)

Welcome!

I hope this eleventh installment will bring you up to date on the accomplishments and opportunities that E4S affords its network and clients. Read on for tips you can use to communicate effectively, upcoming events, and opportunities for support. Let's work together to to help the planet thrive in the face of climate change. --Lara

The Keys to Successful Public Speaking Are...

Public speaking is much more than a presentation or a speech...it is how we educate, engage, persuade, and connect with our listeners. As such, there are several keys to successful public speaking, and they begin way before the event itself.

1. Choosing an engaging topic
2. Conveying your understanding of the topic in a clear way through your content
3. Implementing preparation techniques
4. Creating effective practice opportunities
5. Analyzing your practice performances
6. Communicating confidence and connecting with your audience on stage

Public speaking is stressful for many people. That's why E4S helps its clients reduce their stress for effective performances through its suite of courses. Learn more in this newsletter.

• The Sustainable Presenter : needs analysis + knowledge about presenting + practice + feedback
• Breathwork for Public Speaking : to calm the nerves
• Confident English Speaking : to encourage a healthy mindset
• Presentation-Ready : private consultation package to prepare, get feedback on, improve, and practice an upcoming presentation. Read on for more!

What if you enjoyed public speaking?

Introducing The Sustainable Presenter, a Public Speaking Course

You know how it is. You put together a great presentation, spending time on every detail, researching every point, and making sure everything looks just right. Maybe you even practice it a few times. Yeah, you're ready.

But you're dreading it. You don't feel comfortable with all of those eyes on you. You worry that you'll lose people's attention--or worse, that they'll misunderstand you. You see the audience as adversaries. And the butterflies in your stomach and nerves are already in high gear even before you start speaking.

That's where I come in. I can help you identify what you're doing well and help you improve specific areas that erode your confidence if they continue to go unexamined.

Whether you would like to work privately with me on a specific presentation through?Presentation Ready consultations ?or if you want to learn effective strategies, practicing in a small group setting with the? goal of becoming a better presenter through The Sustainable Presenter. I can help you achieve your goals (here's a promo code coupon you can?use at checkout for 50% off until July 5: ERBRSP ).

Imagine stepping on stage, excited to share your knowledge and seeing the audience as a group who are interested in what you will say.

You've prepared effectively. You know which strengths to play to, and you have practiced using certain techniques to improve anything that used to derail you.

You're happy with how you speak, and you know how to connect with the audience for an enjoyable and memorable experience.

By?taking the Sustainable Presenter course , you will one day become a sustainable presenter yourself.

Come to the Info Session on July 5th

If you are interested in learning more about The Sustainable Presenter public speaking course, join me over Zoom on July 5th at 12 noon EST.

If you're on LinkedIn,?RSVP for the event here ; otherwise,?click here to join from your Zoom account .

E4S Sustainability Crossword Puzzle

Hint: find the words then read them aloud to discover the pattern.

Answers are at the end of this newsletter.

Fawn Season

Each June, fawns are born. While their mother is away, they hide in tall grass and wait for her to return. I happened upon this fawn sitting at the edge of the mint garden next to a quiet part of the house. Even today, I can still see a baby deer-shaped imprint in the grass where it was resting. Which wildlife have you seen lately?

Would you like to speak fluently?

The first E4S Learning Lab (June 20-23) was a success!

The topic was Speaking Fluently. We spent four days exploring the topic--discussing what exactly it means to speak fluently (spoiler alert: it's not speaking quickly), figuring out how to judge your fluency for yourself so that you know what, specifically to improve moving forward, learning techniques for building fluency, and of course practicing these techniques.

If you missed out on the live sessions, don't worry--the workbook, Speaking Fluently, will walk you through everything.?Get your copy here (click).

See what some of the participants loved about Speaking Fluently. Nicola Maurizio Palumbo , who works in wind energy, found particularly useful "the way Lara Wallace, PhD has facilitated overcoming my difficulties, the clear explanations, and the constant interaction between me, the teacher and all the attendees." For Abdullah Al Yousuf, Special Magistrate of Environment,

"My favorite feature was the WhatsApp group, where I could practice and also listen to other participants and learn from them. I also loved attending the live sessions." --Simona Mihail

E4S Congratulates Its Latest Graduate

Congratulations to Xiana Lamela , head of PPA, for completing the Effective English course and private coaching!?She has improved her communication skills, and as a result, speaks up confidently in meetings. This came about thanks to her improved pronunciation, her learning and practice of techniques like listening to understand (instead of listening to reply), and mindset work. These skills have helped her make renewable energy more available.

Here's Why We Need to Speak Up: Climate Change Knows No Borders

Hazy skies and dangerous air quality from massive fires in Canada have affected its southern neighbor for weeks. The air quality where I live has been “very unhealthy” for days. And it wasn’t just Ohio—the haze was all along the route to Washington DC…through West Virginia, Maryland, and Virginia. Global problems require international cooperation through clear communication.

Attend The Next Conversation Club Event:

24 July: E4S Conversation Club event

Each month, come talk with people from around the world about sustainability topics.

Join our free Meetup group! All are invited.

In June, our topic was on reducing plastic waste. The conversations focused around these questions:

1. Where can you find plastic pollution where you live? (E.g., water, parks)

2. How do people dispose of plastic where you live? Is this aligned with what the local government or recycling centers have in place?

3. What can you change in your own habits to reduce plastic waste?

Answers!

DOWN:

1.GROUND

2. ki-lo-watt HOUR

5. POW-er-plant

6. TOUT

9. OUT-put

ACROSS:

3. DOWN

4. TOW-er

7. BROWN-out

8. POW-er

Did you find the pronunciation pattern? All of the words have the same vowel sound. Specifically, the stressed (longest) syllable is the same in each word.

In the Color Vowel system (ELTS), this is schwa, or the "Brown Cow" sound. This sound is pronounced slightly differently across English dialects. For many, you will find your lips are relaxed then move to a rounded shape as your mouth moves from more open to less open. That's right--it's a diphthong! Think of it like a combo of two sounds in one syllable--the Black Cat with the Wooden Hook in this case.

Now try the list, pronouncing the syllables in ALL CAPS with the Brown Cow /a?/ sound, and making these vowels longer than the others.

Did You Enjoy This Newsletter?

Go ahead and share it! Lara Wallace, PhD founded Sustainability is a small business with the large goal of helping sustainability professionals and enthusiasts to speak more effectively and confidently so that we can address the problems posed by climate change for a positive legacy.