[Egao, Egao Everywhere]

Okay, so, I'm in this relax and easy class. The professor is young and you really just half-ass things. We've been doing a debate presentation...Not really a debate. A debate presentation. You present for one meeting, which is usually just 5-10 mins long. The next meeting, the other team does a rebuttal. And then last statement. And that's it.

But here's my question: if you're very shy or not good at speaking at all, would you use this as justification for preferring not to present?

And the context is this: There have been 4 presentations, all of them done by the same person - me. Even though a few people have contributed thoughts, they can't even explain or defend properly the argument. I can do this on my own, but I have been giving them the chance to do the presentation to get an actual grade. I will be out on the day of the presentation so someone else needs to speak out. But this person volunteered to do research only, with her reason being that she's not a good speaker.

I have never had an experience when someone ever told me this. In my elementary and high school, no matter how shy a person was, if they're required to do it, they go for it. But in college? Is this something acceptable? I really want to know. Should I be understanding of the person or should I call it bullshit and unfair?

[tsundere shark]

Imo it should be forced. They need to get over their shyness at some point and speaking in front of people is a great way to do just that. It's a skill you need to function in everyday society, in most cases.

and this is coming from one of the shy people.

If people are so shy that they'd forfeit marks to avoid speaking...in college which isn't exactly cheap, idk man. That sounds pretty bad.

I wouldn't use that as justification. I'd just do it and get it over with. No one's going to laugh at me in college - or if they do, they're obvs idiots so who cares?

[Fistful of Dollars]

Yeah I think it should be even less acceptable in college since public speaking skills is important to have. Being able to hold speeches is vital in any career because the better you can speak, the more charismatic you can be, the better chances you'll have in anything. In my school I'm surrounded by presentation, pitches, and daily critiques cause when you work with a client or clients you have to be able to clearly explain things and also be able to receive negative and positive feedback. Same goes for selling a product, applying for a job, and much more.

Also when you're in college, everyone is going through the same shit as you. Just put effort into your presentation, get your facts right, and if you stumble or have to pause mid speach, that's fine. No one can get better at something is they stop after one failure, need to make a thousand bad speeches before you can make one good speech.

[SIFR]

I'm with them. What I was going to say about this person wasn't exactly going to be kind anyway.

[Ginger]

Agree, don't let her slack off. Push her to try for future sake. Better break all shyness/fear now, she might be thanking you in the long run.

-is one of those shy people who actually cries while doing a speech-