Some people are just naturally good at communicating, but others can learn to improve.

Paul Baruda, president of a professional reference checking service in Rushville, Ind., suggests everyone take a course in public speaking while in school and pay more attention to basics such as English composition.

"You can read all of the books on public speaking but until you actually stand up in front of a group of two or more, you'll never get over the fear of public speaking," he said.

"I don't care if you have to throw up in the hallway. Do it and get over it."

Robert Morris University, for example, requires its students to take courses in communication skills, including writing and speaking in professional environments and listening, or learning to focus on an audience.

Another way to improve would be to find someone such as Sally Chopping, a former actress from Great Britain who lives in Pittsburgh and has made a second career as a public speaking coach. She gives workshops to corporate groups as well as private coaching sessions to individuals.

"People know how to walk and talk, but something funny happens when they have to stand up in front of a group. They suddenly forget the things they have known all of their life. That's the problem I fix," she said.

Most people go through school working on writing skills but are very rarely called on to stand up and explain verbally, she said. And when they practice a speech, they do it in their head in front of a computer screen instead of saying it aloud.

Chopping, a drama school graduate who has experience in television and radio, is a past winner of the Toastmaster Impromptu Speaking Championships and is often called on to address corporate events.

In her teaching, she uses acting techniques to help improve body language, vocal delivery and eye contact with audiences.

"I've become addicted to public speaking myself. In fact, public speaking is more fun than sex," she said, quickly adding, "Maybe I shouldn't have said that."