Nick; the only way you'll improve your public speaking is by experience. Just practice practice practice. If it means writing up a speech to deliver to your oldies before dinner, do it. And learn how to memorise a speech/use palm cards properly. Reading it straight from palm cards or from a sheet of paper doesn't look the best. But don't stress too much about the public speaking, it's there but it's not the be all and end all of the selection process.
Also as a tip future applicants, be wary what you say on these boards.
