How to Stop Mumbling

Mumbling happens when you speak in a voice too low and indistinct for people to understand. If you mumble a lot, your speech is probably unintelligible, which can make it difficult to succeed in business or social relationships.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Practice reading or speaking aloud. Speak slowly and loudly and over-enunciate each word. Do it in front of a mirror and watch how your mouth moves when you speak clearly. Remember to open your mouth in the same way when you're speaking in public.

2. Think about what you're going to say before you say it. Rehearsing in your head will keep you from stumbling over words once you start to speak.

3. Improve your vocabulary. Look up words that you have difficulty pronouncing and learn to say them properly.

4. Take singing or voice lessons from a coach who'll identify your speech problems and help improve them. If mumbling is really pronounced, find a speech therapist who'll give you exercises to improve your enunciation.

5. Look for speech exercises online. Do speech warm-ups for few minutes each day. Open your mouth as wide as possible. Say a prolonged "ah" sound, going up and down the scale. Practice tongue twisters.

6. Join Toastmasters or a similar speaking club. They help people improve public speaking skills through techniques and presentations.

Resources

• Free speech practice exercises
• Toastmasters International