Task 4. Match the words (1-9) with the definitions (a-h).
1.presentation goal
2. lecture
3. briefing
4. demonstration
5. seminar
6. workshop
7. press conference
8. conference presentation
9. commercial presentation
a) formal talk on a serious subject given to a group of people, especially students
b) an occasion when a teacher or expert and a group of people meet to study and discuss something
с) a meeting of people to discuss and/or perform practical work in a subject or activity
d) a talk describing a product that can be bought e a talk to people of the same field, usually about your research
f) the act of showing someone how to do something, or how something works
g) a meeting where information is given to someone just before they do something
h) a meeting at which a person or organization makes a public statement and reporters can ask questions
Task 4. Put the stages of a presentation (a-1) in a logical order. Different answers are possible.
a) present the main body of the talk
b) handle questions
с) signal the beginning of the talk presentation objectives
d) greet the audience
e) summarize the main points
f) introduce yourself
g) have a strong ending
h) introduce the presentation topic and
i) outline the structure
j) thank the audience
к) thank the organizers
1) say when you would like to take questions
Task 6. Look at the phrases below. Do they introduce a topic (T); introduce the plan of your presentation (P), set goals (G), or deal with questions (Q)?
1. What I would like to do is to discuss...
2. If you have any questions, please feel free to interrupt.
3. The aim of my presentation is...
4. I'm going to deal with three aspects of the subject.... first...
5. What I intend to do is to explain ...
6. My topic today is ...
7. Today, I am going to talk about...
8. I have divided my presentation into three sections.
9. I will be happy to answer questions at the end.
Task 7. You are going to give a short talk to the group about an event in your field. Your goal is to inform your colleagues about the coming event and encourage them to take part in it. Do the tasks below.
Task 8. Search online for an online course/webinar in your field of study.
Task 9. Choose an event that you would like to participate in. Make notes, using the questions below to help you.
a) What is the topic?
b) When is the course/webinar?
c) Who is giving the course/webinar?
d) What should you do to take part in it?
e) Why should people in your field take this course or join this webinar?
Task 10. Use your notes to plan a three-minute briefing in English. Use the necessary phrases to explain the goal of your talk and when you would like to take questions.
How should you make presentations?
Answer the following questions:
1. Write three reasons why presentations are important in your job, your area of business or your studies.
2. Write three things you like about presenting.
3. Write three reasons why presenting in English is problematic for you. Write five targets for yourself in presenting in English.
Task 1
Match these less formal phrases with the more formal phrases in the table.
What I want to do today is … I know are all very busy...
OK, shall we get started? As you know, I am …
It is good to see you all here. Hi, everyone.
Today I am going to talk about... In my talk, I will tell you
| More formal | Less formal |
| Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. | |
| Today I would like to... | |
| Let me just start by introducing myself. My name is... | |
| It’s a pleasure to welcome you today. | |
| In my presentation I would like to report on ... | |
| The topic of today’s presentation is... | |
| I suggest that we begin now. | |
| I am aware that you all have very tight schedules... |
Task 2
Now practice the opening of a presentation. Use phrases from the box and follow the WISE flowchart.
| Say what the topic is |
| Explain why the audience will be interested |
| Welcome audience |
| Introduce yourself |
OPENING A PRESENTATION
Welcoming the audience
Good morning/afternoon, ladies and gentlemen.
Hello/Hi, everyone.
First, let me thank you all for coming here today.
I am happy/delighted that so many of you could make it today.
Introducing yourself
Let me introduce myself. I am Dave Elwood from ... For those of you who do not know me, my name’s... As you probably know. I am the new HR manager. I am head of logistics here at Air Spares.
I am here in my function as the Head of Controlling.
Saying what your topic is
As you can see on the screen, our topic today is...
Today’s topic is...
What I’d like to present to you today is ...
The subject of my presentation is ...
Explaining why your topic is relevant for your audience
My talk is particularly relevant to those of you/us who...
Today’s topic is of particular interest to those of you/us who...
Му/The topic is very important for you because... By the end of this talk you will be familiar with...
Remember to use words like we, us, and our to highlight common interest.