Improving verbal fluency.

[jttoto]

Since people have posted on improving brain functions outside of dual
n-back on this forum, I figure it is only fair that I post one as
well.

After leaving my last job, I recently started a new one that requires
me to do a heavy amount of oral communication. I have recently ran
into some pitfalls in my new job, such as the fact that I stumble a
fair amount of times when I talk. Since my productivity is indirectly
linked to how fluent I speak, I was wondering if there are any tests/
medicine/techniques that help improve verbal fluency (not my biggest
strength).

I consider myself a moderately extroverted, intelligent individual,
but my workplace is filled with those with a smooth tongue that never
seem to stumble when speaking. (including impromptu public speaking) I
am hoping to get on their level, but I have found few objective
studies on ways to improve verbal fluency. Plus, it is unclear on how
verbal fluency, which tests the amount of words one can generate given
a set of limitations, translates directly into real world
communication. (although extroverts do perform better on verbal
fluency tests, despite the fact that introverts tend to have higher
overall IQ scores
http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/custom/portlets/recordDetails/detailmini.jsp?_nfpb=true&_&ERICExtSearch_SearchValue_0=EJ201071&ERICExtSearch_SearchType_0=no&accno=EJ201071
)

Some points I wanted to get across:

1) Most people, even extroverts, think before they speak. This
causes people to pause and go "um" many times while talking. This is
my biggest flaw. The most successful communicators seem to think
while speaking, so that they are always prepared for the next
sentence. If anyone has any tips on how to improve this, it would be
greatly appreciated.

2) I believe that verbal fluency translates well into real-world
communication. The faster you can generate words, the more
effectively you can speak. Does anyone know of any objective study
that helps improve verbal fluency? I found only one, which says that
listening to music while exercising improves it. While I haven't
found any legitimate steps on how to perform it on the net (any link
would be great), transcendental meditation improves verbal fluency as
well.

[Reece]

A racetam class nootropic might help. I've only tried oxiracetam
myself, however I can say that the effects on verbal fluency were very
noticeable. Thoughts felt like they were coming to me faster as well,
so your point #2 might explain my experience.

The only other thing that came to my mind would be to learn a memory
system (eg Method of Loci) and try to draw better associations between
ideas/concepts to be discussed.

On 5 nov, 06:53, jttoto <jtdem...@uncc.edu> wrote:
> Since people have posted on improving brain functions outside of dual
> n-back on this forum, I figure it is only fair that I post one as
> well.
>
> After leaving my last job, I recently started a new one that requires
> me to do a heavy amount of oral communication.  I have recently ran
> into some pitfalls in my new job, such as the fact that I stumble a
> fair amount of times when I talk.  Since my productivity is indirectly
> linked to how fluent I speak, I was wondering if there are any tests/
> medicine/techniques that help improve verbal fluency (not my biggest
> strength).
>
> I consider myself a moderately extroverted, intelligent individual,
> but my workplace is filled with those with a smooth tongue that never
> seem to stumble when speaking. (including impromptu public speaking) I
> am hoping to get on their level, but I have found few objective
> studies on ways to improve verbal fluency.  Plus, it is unclear on how
> verbal fluency, which tests the amount of words one can generate given
> a set of limitations, translates directly into real world
> communication.  (although extroverts do perform better on verbal
> fluency tests, despite the fact that introverts tend to have higher

> overall IQ scoreshttp://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/custom/portlets/recordDetails/de...

[Lark]

Jttoto,

I would suggest a Toastmasters club. At such clubs you practice
public speaking and impromptu speaking; and they give you feedback on
how to improve.
Look on the internet to find a club near you. They cost a little
money, but it is not much.
As for saying Um. I think it helps me think but of course if you say
too many of them it does not sound good to the listener. Toastmasters
does help you reduce those. Probably pausing when you need to think
is better than saying UM while you are thinking; and of course,
thinking while you are speaking is even better.

A few more pointers: As much as possible, prepare a talk before you
give it. Practice it until you can give it from memory.
Every new job has some new vocabulary that must be learned. Make some
flash cards to help you learn this vocabulary quickly and well. In
general, a good vocabulary should help you be more fluent; maintain
this by reading (do some reading out loud), crossword puzzles, making
flash cards of words you keep seeing/hearing but are not sure of, etc.

lark

On Nov 5, 4:53 am, jttoto <jtdem...@uncc.edu> wrote:
> Since people have posted on improving brain functions outside of dual
> n-back on this forum, I figure it is only fair that I post one as
> well.
>
> After leaving my last job, I recently started a new one that requires
> me to do a heavy amount of oral communication.  I have recently ran
> into some pitfalls in my new job, such as the fact that I stumble a
> fair amount of times when I talk.  Since my productivity is indirectly
> linked to how fluent I speak, I was wondering if there are any tests/
> medicine/techniques that help improve verbal fluency (not my biggest
> strength).
>
> I consider myself a moderately extroverted, intelligent individual,
> but my workplace is filled with those with a smooth tongue that never
> seem to stumble when speaking. (including impromptu public speaking) I
> am hoping to get on their level, but I have found few objective
> studies on ways to improve verbal fluency.  Plus, it is unclear on how
> verbal fluency, which tests the amount of words one can generate given
> a set of limitations, translates directly into real world
> communication.  (although extroverts do perform better on verbal
> fluency tests, despite the fact that introverts tend to have higher

> overall IQ scoreshttp://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/custom/portlets/recordDetails/de...

[TheQ17]

This might sound obvious but from my own experiences the ability to
talk fluently about a subject without stumbling is directly related to
your familiarity with the topic. The more you "think" about subjects
the better you are going to talk about them. You will be able to speak
your mind about the topics much easier and with lesser filler words
like "um". Filler words are words to allow people to plan out what
they are going to say. If you know what you are going to say these
words are unnecessary and are removed. This implies even with improv.
Give me an improv topic under the branch of science I will be able to
talk your ear off. Ask me to talk about movies, sports, or improv in
general and I promise you the word um will be present much more often.

[Jason Axelson]

I would also like to add that it seems like most of your coworkers
have been there much longer than you. Which means that they are more
familiar with the subject matter. Perhaps in time, you will become
better even without any purposeful training.

Jason

[y offs et]

I would like to add that when speaking with someone else, I am more
attracted to someone that does not feel the need to fill the quiet
pause, usually with something irrelevant, or else, "um".

The person that takes a few seconds of silence to digest what you have
said, and compose a thoughtful reply is much more confidence
inspiring.

As far as public speaking, virtually all have a prepared notepad with
basic points laid out.

On Nov 5, 10:28 am, Jason Axelson <bostonvaul...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I would also like to add that it seems like most of your coworkers
> have been there much longer than you. Which means that they are more
> familiar with the subject matter. Perhaps in time, you will become
> better even without any purposeful training.
>
> Jason
>

[Xenomemo]

Hello jttoto
A while ago I got the idea for an excercise that might give you some
improvement in verbal fluency.
I think its great practice for the mind in general, as well as your
foreign language skills.

You grab a book in a foreign language you that you can read
reasonably well without the need to check vocabs all the time.
Then you read it, translate it into your mother tongue and speak it
out all at the same time. Try to maintain an even flow of words
whithout stopping midsentence.

This excercise forces you to quickly retreive the right words and to
anticipate the rest of the sentence while starting to speak out it‘s
beginning.
Probably you will see the greatest benefits in the particular foreign
language skills, but I am sure it helps with Verbal skills in general.
It also trains your workingmemory as you need to remember what you
just read and bring your words in the right order.
I hope you understand what I am writing even though i have little
practice in writing english.

[otto]

I am also very interested in this topic.

Many of my creative endeavours are linked to verbal fluency (improv,
(freestyle) rap) and I have the strong feeling that there is room for
improvement.

I have the feeling that there is heavy variation in my verbal fluency.
I sometimes feel very good in talking fluently and sometimes I seem
not to be able to speak at all. (My first language is german and there
are many opportunities for stumbling across the appropriate
inflections for verbs etc. when in such a mode)

I am very much interested in possible causes (correlations) of my
ability to speak fluently. I would very much like to see trustworthy
studies that deal with the issue.

Here are some personal observations:
If I stay indoors for most of the day and look at a screen without
interacting too much with people (like when I wrote my thesis) my
verbal fluency decreases.
When I take a nap in the afternoon it takes some time for my mind to
'wake up' but then (in the evening) my verbal fluency is better.
Regular dual n-back training seems to increase my verbal fluency.
Especially when discussing complicated issues.

I don't know whether it improves verbal fluency but a fun game is Just
A Minute ( http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006s5dp ). It is a panel
game on bbc radio four in which the contestants are challenged to
speak for one minute without hesitation, deviation or repetition. I
sometimes play it with friends and I guess that playing it regularly
must have some effects.

I also found this:
http://www.wikihow.com/Improve-Verbal-Memory
Anyone ever tried it?

[Mike^2]

I for one have found that the more arduous one goes about training
with DNB -that is, the more effort one puts in getting the sequence
right- the better, or more fluent, one's ability to speak becomes.

And, as if that the results were not mutually exclusive to speech -
which would be counter-intuitive if they were-, one's writing (at
least for me) too becomes ameliorated.

On Nov 6, 9:23 am, otto <botdy...@googlemail.com> wrote:
> I am also very interested in this topic.
>
> Many of my creative endeavours are linked to verbal fluency (improv,
> (freestyle) rap) and I have the strong feeling that there is room for
> improvement.
>
> I have the feeling that there is heavy variation in my verbal fluency.
> I sometimes feel very good in talking fluently and sometimes I seem
> not to be able to speak at all. (My first language is german and there
> are many opportunities for stumbling across the appropriate
> inflections for verbs etc. when in such a mode)
>
> I am very much interested in possible causes (correlations) of my
> ability to speak fluently. I would very much like to see trustworthy
> studies that deal with the issue.
>
> Here are some personal observations:
> If I stay indoors for most of the day and look at a screen without
> interacting too much with people (like when I wrote my thesis) my
> verbal fluency decreases.
> When I take a nap in the afternoon it takes some time for my mind to
> 'wake up' but then (in the evening) my verbal fluency is better.
> Regular dual n-back training seems to increase my verbal fluency.
> Especially when discussing complicated issues.
>
> I don't know whether it improves verbal fluency but a fun game is Just

> A Minute (http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006s5dp). It is a panel

[Pheonoxia]

If you're trying to boost your oral communication abilities, I'd
recommend NOT taking racetams. I've never used oxiracetam, but from my
experiences with piracetam and aniracetam, both adversely affected my
extroversion, sociability, and ability to communication effectively.
They're great for other purposes though, but it made me tense, which
lowered my comfort level both in front of an audience and during one-
on-one conversations.

[Gore Lando]

Dual-n-back definitely appears to be helpful!

Psychostimulants may be helpful or unhelpful, or both, depending on many factors.  Not something for most to rely on.

The absolutely most helpful thing IME is reading constantly, and writing, and conversating, and probably ... I would say not spending all day doing things which require/which are done at a clipped, impatient focus, such as (generally speaking) internet browsing.  Really.  But again, that's just my personal experience, and personal suspicion.

--~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Dual N-Back, Brain Training & Intelligence" group.
To post to this group, send email to brain-t...@googlegroups.com
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to brain-trainin...@googlegroups.com
For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/brain-training?hl=en
-~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---