Jon Naunton is co-author of Business Result and Oil and Gas 2 in the Oxford English for Careers series. In the first of three posts, he offers advice for helping students to overcome challenges in presenting in English.
Many schools and universities require students to give presentations. It is difficult enough to present successfully in one’s own language, let alone a foreign language. A shy and timid learner in his or her own language will not miraculously become a fantastic presenter in English!
This article will examine how we can help students become better presenters by developing their confidence and improving their preparation. Good presenters say something interesting, which they communicate in a lively and memorable way – it is a true performance art. Nevertheless, I sincerely believe that good presenters are made, not born, and that even those learners who lack self-confidence can be transformed into acceptably confident, albeit not brilliant presenters.
Download my helpful hints on Presentations – Expressions and introductory phrases (PDF).
Confidence building
Use sub-groups
The stress presenters feel tends to grow with the size of the audience they address. In most cases, during the training process, the audience will be other class members. Recently, I have taught larger groups of up to thirty, so breaking them up into sub-groups can be useful. Speaking in front of six people is usually less intimidating than speaking in front of thirty. Arranging the classroom into different zones means three or four students can present simultaneously. Not only is this a more efficient use of classroom time, but it shifts the focus away from a sole individual. I generally play background music to reduce distraction between groups.
Continue reading ‘Helping Students Give More Effective and Memorable Presentations – Part 1′
Continuing the 
Continuing 
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