At senior school I “CHOSE” as options to take French and German. I have no idea as to what possessed me to do this when I was aged fourteen as both subjects were optional. Surely I should have known that this would only increase the pressure on my speech.

The examinations in the final year for both subjects were split into four sections; reading, writing, listening and speaking – YES SPEAKING!

I found it rather difficult to speak English fluently or should I say impossible – what chance therefore would I have of being able to speak French or German fluently? No chance.

I will never forget the German oral examination; I was just so nervous. During the test I could barely speak a word without stuttering and the examiner advised me to start again at one point and rewound the tape. This was at an age when I cared what people thought of me and I have to admit that I went home and cried that day.

School was without doubt the hardest period of my life – there were many happy experiences however the fact that I had a stutter made the experience some what of a struggle. My confidence was at an all time low during this time - mainly due to the stuttering speech impediment.

Steve  http://www.stammering-stuttering.co.uk

I will never forget my school days, especially those teenage years. The fear of having to speak out a loud in front of the whole class was quite unbearable at times. It is hard enough being a teenager in any case but having a stutter made it even more difficult.

I was desperate to leave school and did so at the earliest opportunity. Therapy for stuttering was quite basic back then and consisted mainly of the traditional forms of speech therapy, therapy that did nothing to help me.