Study skills B2 Units

Presenting skills
1 Read the quiz and answer the questions.

1 How do you feel about giving a presentation in English? Circle the number that is true
for you.
(1 = very nervous, 5 = not nervous)
1  2  3  4  5

2 What three things do you think are most important when giving a presentation?

2 Read the Study tip and then complete the table with these headings (1–5).

Audience  •  Body language  •  Content  •  Delivery  •  Visual aids

STUDY TIP

When you give a presentation, you first need to think about the content. What are you confident talking
about? You also need to consider your audience. Who are they? What do they know and what would they find
interesting? Visual aids, like slides or objects, will make your presentation more interesting and your delivery,
the way you transmit words using your voice and enthusiasm, is also important. Finally, don’t forget your body
language which can communicate just as much as your words.

Tip
1 Greet the audience in a friendly way.
1
2 Use your voice to emphasise important points. Don’t speak too quietly.
3 Show enthusiasm for your subject.

4 Select a topic that you are interested in and know something about.
2
5 Have an interesting introduction.
6 Make sure that you have a clear conclusion.

7 If you use slides, make sure the words are as big as possible.
3
8 Show objects to get your message across in a simple and more interesting way.
9 Don’t read words directly from the screen but instead talk to the audience.

10 Smile at the audience.

4
11 Keep eye contact with the audience.
12 Use your hands to communicate ideas.

13 Find out about the audience before you speak.

5
14 Ask questions during your presentation.
15 Invite the audience to ask questions at the end.

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Study skills B2 Units

3 Match the reasons (a–o) with the Study tips (1–15) in 2.

a This helps you to know what will interest your audience and things that you could include or not.
b The audience can read the words themselves. You should give extra information to what is given on the slides.
c This will be the last thing that people remember!
d If you are enthusiastic, the audience will pay more attention and listen more carefully.
e There is nothing more helpful than answering a question from a member of the audience.
f Using gestures or clapping your hands makes your presentation more dynamic.
g If you look at your shoes or your notes you are not connecting with your audience.
h Starting with a friendly greeting will make a good first impression.
i If they are too small, the people at the back won’t be able to read them!
j By changing your intonation you will keep the attention of your audience.
k If you smile at people they will probably smile back and you will feel more relaxed.
l Holding up a picture of your pet is great. Bringing in your pet is even more memorable!
m This gets your audience’s attention. A good way to start is to ask the audience a question.
n This involves your audience and makes them think more about what you are saying.
o You will feel more confident if you know your subject.

4 Read the feedback that a teacher gave to four students after their presentations. Which Study tips would
each student find useful? Match the Study tips (1–15) in 2 with the students (a–d). It is possible to match
more than one tip to each student and to use each tip more than once. You don’t need to use all of the
Study tips.

a b
Jane  Y our topic was interesting when I could hear you. You Danny  Y ou read out a lot of information, but
seemed to be speaking to the floor most of the time. after a while it was too much information!

Study tip           Study tip          

c d
Steve  When you were talking, you didn’t look very happy. Jenni  Y ou were very funny but I didn’t exactly
understand what your message was.
Study tip          
Study tip          

5 Read the Study tip. Use this and the Study tips Plan Achieved?
in 2 to identify areas that you want to focus on
when you next present in English. Complete the To improve my next presentation, I will …
planner with your ideas.

STUDY TIP

To make your presentation as successful as

possible it is important to practise, practise
and practise!
1 Practice under timed conditions and ask a friend
to watch you and give you feedback. They could
use the Study tips in 2 as a checklist.
2 Use cards to write down key words to help you
remember what to say. You shouldn’t read the
whole presentation – that would be boring!
3 Record your presentation and listen to your
pronunciation and intonation. Try to emphasise
the most important words and use linkers to
organise your presentation; for example, first,
another important thing, as a result, etc.

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