Survival Language

In modern English, Presentations tend to be much less formal than they were even twenty years ago. Most audience these days prefer a relatively informal approach. However, there is a certain structure to the opening of a Presentation that you should observe.

If you get your facts wrong.

-I am terribly sorry. What I meant to say was this.

-Sorry. What I meant is this.

If you have been going too fast and your audience is having trouble keeping up with you.

-Let me just recap on that.

-I want to recap briefly on what I have been saying.

If you have forgotten to make a point.

-Sorry, I should just mention one other thing.

-If I can just go back to the previous point, there is something else that I forgot to mention.

If you have been too complicated and want to simplify what you said.

-So, basically, what I am saying is this.

-So, basically, the point I am trying to get across is this.

If you realize that what you are saying makes no sense.

-Sorry, perhaps I did not make that quite clear.

-Let me rephrase that to make it quite clear.

If you cannot remember the term in English.

-Sorry, what is the word I am looking for?

-Sorry, my mind has gone blank. How do you say 'escargot' in English?

If you are short of time.

-So just to give you the main points.

-As we are short of time, this is just a quick summary of the main points.

Exercise 1. Match the parts to complete the sentences.

1) If you get your facts wrong.

2) If you have been going too fast say and your audience has trouble

keeping up with you.

3) If you have forgotten to make a point.

4) If you have been too complicated and want to simplify what

you said.

5) If you realize that what you are saying makes no sense.

6) If you can’t remember the term in English.

( ___ ) Sorry, what is the word I am looking for…

( ___ ) So basically what I am saying is this.

( ___ ) Let me just recap on that.

( ___ ) Sorry, perhaps I did not make it quite clear.

( ___ ) I am terribly sorry what I meant to was this.

( ___ ) Sorry,I should just mention one other thing.

Exercise 2. Complete the sentences with the words below.

Main,across,looking,basically,summary,mention,meant,rephrase,point,recap,for

1.I am terribly sorry, what I _________to say was this.

2.I want to_________ briefly on what I have been saying.

3.If I can just go back to the previous__________ ,there is something else I forgot to _____ .

4.So,______________the point I am trying to get______ is this.

5.Let me ______ that to make it quite clear.

6.Sorry, what is the word I am ___________ ___________?

7.As we are short of time this is just a quick ______ of the ________points

Read the text and answer TRUE/FALSE questions

A Friendly Face

When you stand up in front of that audience, you’re going to be really nervous. Poor speakers pay little or no attention to their audience as people. Big mistake.

If you can see your audience as a group of individuals, you’ll be much more likely to connect with those individuals.

Start looking around your audience. See that big guy with his arms folded and an ‘impress me’ look on his face? Best not to look at him too much. How about that lady with the big smile, looking encouragingly towards you? OK, that’s your mother, she doesn’t count. But that other lady with a similar smile is someone you don’t know. But from now on she’s your ‘friend’. Every time that you need any encouragement, look in her direction. Make good eye contact. Establish a form of communication between you.

And now you’ve found one ‘friend’, you’ll begin to see others in the audience. Pick out ‘friends’ all round the room. If you see an ‘impress me’ person and get discouraged, switch your view back to one of your ‘friends’.

Once you are aware that there are people in your audience who want you to succeed, you’ll be much more likely to succeed.

Exercise 1. Comprehension.

1. You will be nervous when you stand up. T/F

2. Think of your audience as individuals T/F

3. Choose the guy with his arms folded T/F

4. You must have your mother in the audience T/F

5. Choose a friendly face in the audience T/F

6. Don’t look in the eyes. T/F

7. Only choose one friend. T/F

8. Making friends in the audience will help you. T/F

Exercise 2. Complete the text.

When you __________ in front of that audience, you’re going to be really nervous. Poor speakers _________little or no attention to their audience as people. Big mistake. If you ______ see your audience as a group of individuals, you’ll be much more likely to _____________ with those individuals.

Start _________ around your audience. See that big guy with his arms folded and an ‘impress me’ look on his face? Best not to _________ him too much.

How _________ that lady with the big smile, _______ encouragingly

towards you? OK, that’s your mother, she doesn’t _________. But that

other lady with a similar smile is __________ you don’t know. But

from ________ she’s your ‘friend’. Every time that you need

any__________, look in her direction. Make good _____ contact.

Establish a form of _______________between you.

And now you’ve _________ one ‘friend’, you’ll begin to see others in

the audience. __________ out ‘friends’ all round the room. If you see

an ‘impress me’ ___________ and get discouraged, switch your

_________ back to one of your ‘friends’.Once you are ________ that

there are people in your audience who want you to __________, you’ll

be much more likely to succeed.

Microphones

Microphones can be a real problem. Very few of us use them frequently and so, when we have to talk into them in an already nervous state, we can easily make elementary mistakes.

As a general rule, try to speak more clearly when you are using a microphone. (It will probably help if you speak a bit more slowly.)

If you have a free-standing mike, step back from it a bit. This will enable you to speak louder and to vary your tone and inflection. If you are too close, your voice will sound monotonous and your audience will fall asleep.

Don’t turn your head away from the microphone while you are speaking. But do turn it away if you cough or sneeze!

Any little movement you make, such as shuffling your papers, will be amplified by the mike. Cut out the nervous gestures!

If you are wearing a clip-on mike, make sure it is not rubbing up against some clothing or jewellery. The noise this makes could ruin your presentation.

If you have a radio-mike, make sure it is switched on when you are presenting and switched off at all other times. This particularly applies when you go to the restroom!

Dealing with Nerves

Almost everybody is nervous when they stand up to speak. There’s no shame in being nervous. However, if you are too nervous, your anxiety will spread to your audience, making them nervous in turn.

So how can you stop yourself from feeling too nervous? Here are a few tips.

1. Don’t get hung up about being nervous. It’s a normal human reaction. Don’t make yourself more nervous because you’re nervous.

2. Walk off your excessive nervousness. If possible, walk outside and get some fresh air at the same time. But a walk down the corridor is better than no walk.

3. Don’t let your legs go to sleep. Keep the blood supply moving. Keep both feet on the floor and lean forward. Wiggle your toes. If you can stand up without disturbing anybody, do so.

4. Work your wrists, arms and shoulders to get the tension out of them. Gentle movements, not a major workout, will remove that tension.

5. Work your jaw. Gentle side-to-side or circular motion will help to loosen it.

6. Repeat positive affirmations quietly to yourself. “I am a good presenter.” It may seem corny but it works.

7. Above all, breathe deeply. Make sure your stomach is going out when you breathe in.

Don’t be self-conscious about these warm-up activities. Most good speakers do them. Most people won’t even notice that you are doing them. They’re here to hear you speak, they’re not interested in what you do when you are not in the limelight.

Comprehension:True False

1. Nobody is nervous. T/F

2. The audience is always nervous. T/F

3. I t is normal to be nervous. T/F

4. Walking makes you more nervous. T/F

5. You should sleep on your legs. T/F

6. Your shoulders need to tense. T/F

7. A loose jaw is a bad idea. T/F

8. Say good things to yourself. T/F

9. Breathe deeply. T/F

10. People will laugh at you when you are warming up. T/F

Stand Up When You Speak

I don’t think you’re going to like today’s point. I don’t like it very much myself but it’s got to be done. For most purposes, when you give a presentation you should stand. Not clutching the back of your chair for support, not leaning against the podium but two feet on the floor facing your audience.

There are times when sitting is right. When it’s an informal discussion, for example, where everybody is to contribute. But most of the time you need to stand.

You can move around the room. This has the simple effect that people will look at you, not shut their eyes and drift off

You can make eye contact with everybody

You can reach all your props and teaching material easily

You’re involving your whole body in the presentation. Many people think this makes it more memorable.

You’re sending out the signal to the participants that ‘this will be short’. Only a few self-obsessed people stand up in front of audiences for longer than they need to. And you’re not one of those, are you?

The worst part of standing up is the actual standing up. Most people don’t feel at ease as they get out of their chair and walk forward to their speaking position. Here are a couple of tips.

As you’re waiting, keep your feet flat on the floor. Don’t have them crossed. Trust me, getting up and walking will be so much easier.

Decide in advance where you are going to stand. Focus on that spot

Walk forward briskly and confidently.

And that’s how you become a stand up sort of person.

Stating your purpose

It is important to state your purpose clearly at the beginning of your talk. Here are some ways to do this:

talk about = to speak about a subject

Today I'd like to talk about our plans for the new site.

I'm going to be talking to you about the results of our survey.

report on = to tell you about what has been done.

I'm going to be reporting on our results last quarter.

Today I will be reporting on the progress we have made since our last meeting.

take a look at = to examine

First, let's take a look at what we have achieved so far.

Before we go on to the figures, I'd like to take a look at the changes we have made.

tell you about = to speak to someone to give them information or instructions

First, I will tell you about the present situation, then go onto what we are going to do.

When I have finished, Jack will then tell you about what is happening in Europe.

show = to explain something by doing it or by giving instructions.

The object of this morning's talk is to show you how to put the theory into practice.

Today I'm going to show you how to get the most out of the new software.

outline = to give the main facts or information about something.

I'd like to outline the new policy and give you some practical examples.

I will only give you a brief outline and explain how it affects you.

fill you in on = to give some extra or missing information

I'd like to quickly fill you in on what has happened.

When I have finished outlining the policy, Jerry will fill you in on what we want you to do.

give an overview of = to give a short description with general information but no details.

Firstly, I would like to give you a brief overview of the situation.

I'll give you an overview of our objectives and then hand over to Peter for more details.

highlight = draw attention to or emphasize the important fact or facts.

The results highlight our strengths and our weaknesses.

I'd now like to go on to highlight some of the advantages that these changes will bring.

discuss = to talk about ideas or opinions on a subject in more detail.

I'm now going to go on to discuss our options in more detail.

After a brief overview of the results, I'd like to discuss the implications in more detail.

Exercise 1. Match the parts to complete the sentences.

Today I’d like to talk at what we have achieved so far

I am going to be reporting in on what has happened

First, let’s take a look you about the present situation, then go

onto what we are going to do.

First, I will tell . our options in more detail.

The object of this morning’s

talk is to tell you and our weaknesses.

I’d like to outline the new overview of the situation.

I’d like to quickly fill you about our plans for the new site.

Firstly I’d like to give you

a brief on our results last quarter.

The results highlight our policy and give you some practical

strengths examples

I’m now going on to discuss how to put theory into practice.

Exercise 2. Complete the text with the words from below.

1. First, I will tell you __________ the present situation, then go onto what we are going to do.

2. I'd like to quickly ______ you in on what has happened.

3. First, let's _________a look ___what we have achieved so far.

4. First, I’d like to give you a brief _______of the situation.

5. I'd like to ____________the new policy and give you some practical examples

6. I'm going to be _________on our results last quarter.

7. The object of this morning's talk is to __________you how to put the theory into practice.

8. I'm now going to go on to ___________our options in more detail.

9. The results ___________our strengths and our weaknesses.

10. Today I'd like to __________about our plans for the new site.

Reporting, talk, discuss, highlight, take, at, outline, show, in, about, fill, overview.

Exercise 3. Match the parts to complete the sentences.

I am going to be talking to you the implications in more detail.

Today I will be reporting you in what we want to do.

Before we go on to the figures

I’d like to take a on the progress we have made since our

last meeting.

When we have finished, Jack

will then tell some of the advantages that these

changes will bring.

Today I am going to show you about the results of our survey.

I’ll only give you a brief outline and explain how it affects you.

When I have finished outlining

the policy, Jerry will fill of our objectives and then hand over to

Peter for more details.

I’ll give you an overview you what is happening in Europe.

I’d now like to go on to highlight how to get the most of our new

software.

After a brief overview of the

results ,I’d like to discuss look at the changes we have made.

Exercise 4. Complete the text.

1. When I have finished, Jack will then ____ you about what is happening in Europe.

2. Today I'm going to _____ you how to get the most out of the new software.

3. I'll ____ you an overview of our objectives and then hand over to Peter for more details

4. When I have finished outlining the policy, Jerry will ____ you in on what we want you to do.

5. Today I will be _______ on the progress we have made since our last meeting.

6. I'm going to be_________ to you about the results of our survey.

7. I will only give you a brief ______ and explain how it affects you.

8. Before we go on to the figures, I'd like to_____a look at the changes we have made.

9. I’d now like to go on to ________some of the advantages that these changes will bring.

10. After a brief overview of the results, I'd like to _______ the implications in more detail.

Describing change - verbs

When we are giving a presentation, we often talk about changes. Usually we illustrate these changes with visual aids to show these changes. We need, however, to explain these changes. To do this, we need special verbs.

Exercise 1. Arrange the following verbs into three groups to describe.

UP DOWN STOP RISING OR FALLING

pick up rise improve take off shoot up peak grow decline expand increase shrink fall recover slump bottom out level off

Exercise.2. Match the verbs with their definitions.

Increase to drop suddenly

Shoot up to become larger

Take off to improve

Pick up to increase in number or size very quickly

Fall to stop falling or rising

Slump to change continuously

Level off to become smaller in size or number

fluctuate to start being successful or popular

Exercise 3. Complete the sentences with the words below.

Costs have _____ slightly on the project. We will exceed the budget

The number of rejects ______________dramatically. We will have to invest in new machines.

Sales are finally beginning to __________.We should hit our target next quarter.

Work should _________in the autumn. That’s traditionally our best time.

Sales ________by ten par cent in the last quarter. We need a new

advertising campaign.

Demand _______due to the hot weather. People use a lot less electricity

in summer.

Costs are____________ after steep increases. We expect them to start

falling next quarter.

Please have _____________ a lot recently. We hope they will stabilize

soon.

Shot up, increased, slumped, fluctuated, take off, fell, pick up, leveling off

Exercise 4. Match the verbs with their definitions.

Peak, bottom out, decline, expand, grow, shrink, recover, rise

to reach the highest point before falling -

to become worse or smaller -

to get better, improve -

to increase, become higher -

to become smaller -

to reach the lowest point before improving -

to get bigger, grow -

to get bigger, expand -

Exercise 5. Complete the sentences with the correct word from Exercise. 4.

Costs have____________ steadily over the last year. This is due to higher transport costs.

The dollar has slightly _________against the Euro. We are back at last year’s rate.

We are currently____________ at the phenomenal rate. We expect to be bigger than our next competitors next year.

The popularity of our products continues to__________.They are becoming a must have among young people.

Our market share has _____________to less than twenty per cent. We need new products.

Interest has ____________.We need to regenerate interest through new advertising.

Tourist numbers _____________ in August. We are usually full for the whole month.

We think prices have ___________.We expect to see a small increase soon.

Describing change - adjectives

When talk about changes, we often need to point out how big or rapid these changes have been. To do this, we need to use adjectives.

Exercise 1. Arrange the following adjectives into four groups to describe:

a big increase a small increase a fast increase a slow increase

A spectacular increase, a considerable increase, a slight increase,

a substantial increase, a rapid increase, a sudden increase, a steady increase, an enormous increase, a gradual increase, a sharp increase,

a moderate increase, a marginal increase.

Exercise 2. Match the parts to complete the sentences.

Demand fell over 40% which

is a only a couple more than last year

sales grew up to 40% which

an every month over the last year

There was a slight increase

in days lost due to strikes, a sharp drop in demand

Losses due to breakage fell

marginally, a marginal increase in real terms

Transport costs rose by 1 per

cent, has risen over the last six months

The sudden change in weather

means we have seen since the announcement only days ago.

There has been a sudden increase

in demand, substantial drop.

We have seen a gradual

increase of 2 or 3 per cent. just a slight fall of 0.2 per cent.

There has been a steady fall

In costs as productivity enormous increase in one year.

Exercise 3. Complete the sentences with the words below.

1. The sudden change in climate means we have a sudden drop __ demand.

2. Sales grew ___one million copies which is an enormous increase __one year.

3. The costs of breakages fell marginally, just a slight fall ___only 0.2 per cent.

4. There has been a steady fall ___costs as productivity has risen ___ the last six months.

5. There has been a sudden increase ___since the announcement only days ago.

6. There was a slight increase ___staff turnover, only a couple more people than last year.

7. Absenteeism fell ___ over 40 per cent which a substantial drop.

8. Transport costs rose___1 per cent ,a marginal increase in real terms.

9. We have seen a gradual increase ____2 or 3 per cent every month __the last year.