Unit 14

Theme: Presentation skills. Preparing for conference presentation

Objectives: learn about general presentation skills (strategy and techniques); learn to outline and organize your presentation (strategy and techniques)

Methodical instructions: This theme must be worked out during two lessons a week according to timetable and its result can be achieved through extension the use of academic language in speech activity: speaking, reading, writing and listening:

• The formation of listening skills can be developed when using a class video;

• The development of writing skills must be exercised through self-work tasks;

- Reading skills should be improved in course of working on training materials the content

of which is intended to be understood in full;

• Speaking skills can be developed through active communication on the Unit’s topics.

Listening: Watch a video Great openings and closings on

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyE1Kz0e--0

After watching this video do the following task: TRUE, FALSE or NOT GIVEN

1. The speaker is talking about her experience in instructing speakers.

2. Typical opening remarks that most speakers make are interesting.

3. A good opening establishes your believability.

4. Your opening shouldn’t speak to the audiences.

5. It is recommended to give examples from your own life.

6. Asking the audience a question forces them to start thinking.

7. A good conclusion can not bring the topic to a satisfying close.

Warm up

Are these statements true or false? Put a T (true) or an F (false) in the blank next to each statement.

• It’s ok to stand with one hand in your pocket while presenting.

• You should memorize your presentation.

• You should look at people’s eyes most of the time you are speaking.

• You apologize for your English skills before or during your presentation.

• The more Power Point slides you use, the more impressed the audience will be.

• Find out as much as possible about the audience before you present.

• Use your Power Point slides to help you remember your main points.

• Focus your eye contact on the most important audience members.

• It’s not necessary to prepare for the Q&A session that usually follows a presentation.

• Holding your hands together in front of you or behind your back shows the audience that you feel relaxed.

• Do not speak while your back is to the audience.

• The more body language you use, the more effective your presentation will be.

• Use small cards for notes, rather than large pieces of paper.

• It’s okay to repeat information during a presentation.

• Separate your presentation into a clear introduction, body, and conclusion.

What makes a good presenter?

Successful presentation requires both sensitivity and a number of specific skills.

Sensitivity is important because the style of communication has to be adapted to the specific context: to the people involved, to the subject being discussed and to the objective of the presentation. A presentation that gives information about the status of a project to colleagues will be very different from a speech at a major conference. The way we present to colleagues will be very different from the way we present to people we do not know well. So, there are very few general rules that which we can apply wherever we are, whoever we are talking to. The only real rules are to be sensitive to the context, and to adapt. Which specific skills are essential to be an effective presenter? Clearly, language skills are very important, as it’s important to express what you want to say in English more clearly and accurately. However, English language competence is not everything. As your English gets better, this begins to take second place to other skills: selecting the best content; choosing the right objective; getting the process right; adapting the language to the listener. Having these skills will enable you to be a truly effective presenter.

Successful presenters do two things: they communicate clearly and they achieve the right impact.

Communicating clearly means working hard to make sure that the audience understands both what is said, and why it is said. To make surethe what is understood, the message needs to be short, simple and digestible. To make sure the why is understood, the message needs to be explicit and transparent to avoid misinterpretation. International presenters face a challenge to be clear because they are often communicating in a second language, across cultures and about very complex business processes. This book offers advice on how to be clear to international audiences.

Creating the right impact is about presenters knowing themselves well and knowing the expectations of their audience. They must have the flexibility to be able to achieve organizational goals at the same time as managing relationships effectively. They have to be able to engage, influence, entertain and persuade, according to the needs of the specific business situation. Again, this book gives advice on how to achieve the right impact.

General skills: Strategy and Techniques

1. Think: What’s my subject?

2. Why am I giving this presentation? What’s my purpose?

3. Who is my audience? Find out as much as you can about them: for example, how many people will attend, what they do, who they represent and why they’re interested in the subject.

Task 1

You’ll be given two situations to present. Choose one of them and try to analyze subject, audience, and purpose.

Situation 1

You have been selected to take part in a six - month faculty exchange program with New York University in the USA. The Department Head in your field of studies at NYU, Dr.Wilson, has asked you to prepare and give a five - minute presentation the day after you arrive in NY.

Dr. Wilson would like you to introduce yourself, describe your research interests, what you hope to learn, and what you hope to contribute to the NYC community. In addition to Dr. Wilson, 12 faculty members of the department will be attendance. Also attending will be representatives from Human Resources, the Office of International Affairs, the Public Relations Department and the student newspaper.

Situation 2

Your university has hired 20 Visiting Faculty members for the upcoming year. The University Rector has asked you to conduct a special orientation presentation for the group to acquaint them with life in Astana.

The visiting professors represent several different academic disciplines and are from France, Europe, the United States, and Asia. They range from 27 to 65. Nine of them are women. Half of the group are married and will send for their spouses and children as soon as they have settled in. Only a few speak enough Kazakh or Russian to communicate effectively, but they are all fluent English speakers.

The rector considers it very important that the visiting faculty adjust quickly and smoothly to life in Kazakhstan. Naturally, he wishes them to begin their stay with a favorable impression. He, along with several Department Heads, will attend the presentation.

Prepare a five minute talk to give to the international visitors.

Task 2

Prepare a five minute presentation on any topic you wish to speak. Choose a topic that you are enthusiastic and you are familiar with and you think you will entertain or educate your audience. Before you prepare your presentation give this information your classmates so they can better evaluate your talk.

(Ss fill in the following information and prepare for their small presentations)

Student Name
Subject
Audience
Purpose

Outline and organization: Strategy and Techniques

1. Introduction

2. Body

3. Conclusion

Presentation Skills: Language Worksheet