很多托福考生都常常跟Pt说：

大大，我一到考场上就紧张，一紧张就总是说“呃和啊”，最后总是说不完，这口语成绩也一直提不上去。求解救！

的确，这真的是Pt遇到过的一个特别突出的问题，而且确实非常影响最后得分。因此，今天特意为大家翻墙扒来一些实用tips，并结合亦鸥网友真实录音进行了专门讲解，希望能为大家助一臂之力！

本文配套音频讲解，在亦鸥托福app“网友微课”栏目中可查

Tips on Public Speaking: Eliminating the Dreaded “Um”——From Harvard Extentsion School

Steven D. Cohen

作者简介

Steven D. Cohen is an award-winning speaker who leads career and academic workshops on public speaking at Harvard Extension School. Through the Harvard Professional Development Programs, he teaches the programs Introduction to Public Speaking: Effective Presentation Skills and Advanced Public Speaking: Persuasive Communication.

正文

It is difficult for me to watch political speeches. After all, I know that I am going to hear one alarming word over and over again. It’s not “debt,” “deficit,” or “downturn.” It’s “um.”

对于政治演讲，我最不能忍的就是他们一遍又一遍地重复“um”

Filler words like “um” may seem natural in everyday speech, but they do not belong in formal presentations or speeches. Powerful public speakers work hard to eliminate words such as“um,” “uh,” “well,” “so,” “you know,” “er,” and “like”from their vocabulary so that their listeners can focus solely on their message.Through practice and persistence, you can too.

所谓的filler words形式很多样，但他们不应出现在任何正式的场合（托福考试算是半正式吧，其实也像是一个presentation一样的感觉）因为这些词都会分散你的听众们的注意力。通过不断的练习，你一定可以消灭这些不必要的filler words！

SO, LIKE, WHY AM I SAYING “UM”?

Why do we use filler words? The simplest answer is that we have been conditioned to answer questions immediately from an early age. When our mother or father asked us a question, we were sure to answer right away—either because we wanted to show respect or because we were afraid of what would happen if we didn’t answer. Consequently, we feel the urge to speak when spoken to.为什么会说Um？ 因为我们总是急于回答问题，不赶紧回答就好像不尊重人似的。于是……总是觉得很紧迫，得赶紧说。Some people argue that filler words serve an important purpose such as making a speaker sound more “natural” or “real.” In fact, Michael Erard wrote a book on this very subject.But just because filler words are fairly common in everyday speech does not mean that they are useful.In fact, they often detract from the listener’s ability to understand a particular message.有人觉得um呀uh呀让演讲者听上去更自然和真实。其实不然，常说不代表它们就有必要（存在未必即合理），反而它们还常常会让听者被干扰。There are two places where filler words commonly appear: at the beginning of a statement and in between ideas. See what happens the next time you answer a question. You might say “um” or “uh” right away without even thinking. Then when you are finished discussing your first idea, y

ou may be tempted to use another filler word as you decide what to say next.这些um uh的词，常常才会出现在句子的开头，或者在两个点之间（其实就是当我们在思考的时候）

When you use a filler word such as “um,” you are thinking verbally. In other words, you are verbalizing your thought process. Armed with this information, it is easy to realize thatthe best way to avoid using filler words is to pause.If you are not speaking, you can’t say “um”!

喜欢说Um的人，其实是在用语言表述自己的思考过程。所以，最简单粗暴的办法就是，在自己特别想说um的时候，停住！强迫自己：只要不说话，就不要有Um!

REMOVING “UM” FROM YOUR VOCABULARY

The next time you are asked a question, take a couple seconds to think about what you want to say. This pause serves two important purposes: it will help you begin powerfully, and it will help you avoid using a filler word. Pause, think, answer.

下一次，提问前先思考，让自己说出来的内容更有力度的同时，有效规避说Um的情况

The same public speaking technique applies when you are transitioning from one idea to another. While you may be tempted to fill the silence between ideas with a filler word, remember to pause and give yourself a moment to think about what you want to say next. It is important that you don’t begin speaking until you are ready. Remember: Pause, think, answer.

在切换观点/理由的时候，也可以这样，停顿几秒，给自己一些思考的时间，没想好的话暂时先不说。【Pt认为，在考场上，我们可以1-2秒的停顿来切换思路。总好过不停的um…】

It may feel unnatural to pause, especially since you have responded to questions right away for your entire life. I assure you that you will deliver more powerful responses and reduce your chance of using filler words if you give yourself time to think.

一开始你一定会觉得停顿很别扭，因为我们从小到大都是立刻回答问题。但我敢肯定，想一下，比较好；慢一点，比较快！

CAN’T SEEM TO SHAKE THE HABIT? ASK FOR HELP.

If you need help to overcome your “um” problem, consider asking a co-worker, family member, or friend to point out when you use filler words. You also could record an upcoming presentation and then watch yourself in action. You may be amazed at how often you say “um” or “uh”!

如果真的需要帮助，不如找同事、家人或朋友指出你在什么时候使用过filler words，或者你也可以反复听自己的录音【所以，一定要使用“亦鸥托福app”来练习口语呀，收听自己的录音+得到他人的点评，感受一下自己究竟是在哪里曾经呃或啊】

Although we live in a fast-paced society that seemingly demands instant answers, we must use the pause to our advantage. We may feel pressure to answer right away, but ultimately, we should only speak when we are ready.

Do you agree? I would like to hear what you think so leave a comment. But, please, don’t use any “ums.”