It's sad but true. For many people, the fear of public speaking rates above the fear of anything else.
But there are many good reasons why parents should encourage their children to develop public speaking skills.
Miss Shalom Richmond, state coordinator for Rostrum Voice of Youth, a national public speaking competition for 11 to 18-year-old school students, says one of the greatest tools at a young person's disposal is the ability to speak.
"Public speaking provides young people with a voice. It helps shape their identity and it empowers them to articulate views of personal, local and global concern," Miss Richmond says.
She says says public speaking helps children who lack self-confidence.
"Equipping children with the ability to speak in public is a powerful forum for unlocking the child's confidence. This voice will grow and equip them with endless possibilities as they enter adulthood," she says.
One of the best ways of helping young people develop public skills is by encouraging them to become involved in a speaking or debating club, and by supporting their public speaking endeavours.
"Allow your child to practise a short speech each night after dinner. Listen to their speeches, and shower them with praise when they reach the end of their speech. But, above all, take the time to listen when your child articulates an opinion," Miss Richmond says.
Moreton Bay College public speaking and debating coordinator, Vicki Masterson, says parents should be positive about public speaking opportunities for their children, rather than reinforcing public speaking as fearful or negative.
"Their attitude has to be a positive one, to help their children to see it as an opportunity to overcome that fear," she says.
Ms Masterson says public speaking is a valuable skill which young people can use in their future careers.
"If you can deliver your ideas in an effective way, people are more likely to listen to you. It's terrible when great ideas go unsaid because you are fearful of presenting them," she says.
One young person who knows about public speaking is Jack McGovern, pictured left, a Year 10 student from Bundaberg North State High School.
Twice winner of the national junior division final of the Rostrum Voice of Youth competition 2005 and 2006, Jack says public speaking has helped him to develop his selfconfi dence and make a lot of friends and contacts along the way.
"It sounds geeky, or a bit nerdy, but when you get into public speaking you find that it is actually a lot of fun," he says.
Jack says the secret to public speaking is to speak about something you know or enjoy.
"If you sound interested in a topic, that will come across in your speech."
While public speaking may not come naturally to everyone, most people involved in public speaking agree it is a skill that can be learned by all young people, with the right support.
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© The State of Queensland (Department of Education, Training and Employment) 2008.