Educational Happening – Ah Counter

Purpose:

• Eliminate language that “fills in gaps” while a speaker is thinking.

• Provide feedback to build, encourage and refine speaking eloquence.

o Identify filler words each speaker is using and how often. This builds

awareness.

• The Ah Counter’s feedback trains speakers to become aware of their

behavior and to substitute it for one of these behaviors:

o A deliberate pause.

o Slowing down the pace.

o Using clear, concise points.

o Practicing until the speech delivery is smooth.

Skills:

• Active listening.

• Attention to detail.

• Careful observation.

Ah Counter Duties:

• Meeting Beginning: Briefly explain the Ah Counter duties.

• Using the Ah Counter form, record each speaker’s usage of filler words,

phrases, unintended extended pauses, repeated words, and anything used to

fill space.

• When asked by the General Evaluator, give an oral report that includes the

filler words, and their number, for each speaker during the meeting. The oral

report should be at least one minute in length, with the goal of completing

the report under one and a half minutes.