Reflection on The King’s Speech

Aquino, John Roger S.

 Prince Albert, Duke of York, has a speech impediment. Because of his stammering, he is
afraid of becoming a king and inheriting the throne. He sees a speech therapist to help him with
his problem and unintentionally develops a bond with his doctor. I see myself in the place of
Prince Albert. I, too, have a problem speaking in front of the crowd. I tend to do a lot of extra
unnecessary movements if I am anxious with what I’m doing in front of the people. I stammer
sometimes too when I am reporting, but not too much, and my hands are wet and shaking due to
nervousness. I am too wary of what I look in front of them, how I sound like, and if they are
really interested into what I am talking about. It is hard for me since I am always absent when it
was my turn for me to report, I am not used to speaking or explaining in front of the class.
Just like Prince Albert, I had a hard time overcoming it. When it’s my time for me to
report, I make sure that I’ll be absent until my turn for my report ends, and I will just show up in
the class when it’s the turn of the next reporter. I see to it that, if I can, I will refuse any reporting
assigned to me, or if I can’t, I will always look for a partner so that I can do less talking in front.
There are times too that I will ditch my partner and I will not come in class. It became a habit of
mine, and I forgot that it is for my own sake if a get used to speaking in front of the class. But,
certain realizations made me changed my ways. With my program, I should hone my skill in
public speaking so that I can eloquently say my thoughts and sentiments to other people. I should
not be afraid in speaking upfront if I wanted to be heard, and that by being a good speaker, I can
air the sentiments of the people around me as well. I can represent them when they cannot
represent their selves. I can be their voice if they needed someone to stand in front with them.
Little by little, just like what Prince Albert did, I seek for help to my classmates. I asked
them some tips and advices on how to be a good reporter in front of the class, how to overcome
nervousness, and what preparations they are making when they are having a report. After that, I
associate myself with reporting. I started first by reporting with a partner, then after I get used to
reporting with a partner, I then began to ask for an individual report. It was hard at first, I
stammer when I am reading, and I tend to hesitate too when I am trying to explain the lesson
elaborately, resulting in stammering. But, I told myself that this will be done in a couple of
minutes or so to calm my nerves and to avoid stuttering. Gradually, I see to it that every time I
report, there will be an improvement. With the help of others, I am still on the progress of
improving my public speaking skills, in order for me to become a voice of those who needs to be
represented, just what Prince Albert did, or rather, what has King George VI has done.