We're halfway through the school year and in a few months time hundreds of school leavers will be looking forward to new college courses or new careers. Unfortunately a large proportion of these people will find that their speaking skills are inadequate. They've managed to get through school or college by mumbling because their friends and family have grown accustomed to the way they speak.

I teach a large number of young adults (18 - 26yrs) who find that their new employers and workmates can't understand what they are saying. These young adults suddenly feel embarrassed about the way they speak.

Most of them speak too quickly, too quietly and are afraid to open their mouths. Luckily with a few lessons on clear speaking and the desire to improve most find that results can be achieved in a few weeks.

The most useful thing anyone can do to improve their speech is to slow down and open the mouth. When you say the word 'high' you should be able to put three fingers vertically in your mouth when you practice and two when talking in normal conversation. Look at yourself in a mirror and you'll be surprised how small the opening is!

Pause at the end of every new thought. Imagine a full stop at the end of each thought and say ‘full stop’ to yourself. If you have a habit of saying ‘um’ or ‘alright’ at the end of a sentence, again, say it to yourself.

Starting in April, Serena Greenslade of http://www.easyeasytalktalk.com is running half day sessions in the middle of Bournemouth. Private lessons are also available and Serena will come to your home or place of work as long as it’s in the Bournemouth area.