Presentations as a Presentations as a way to motivate way to motivate studentsstudents

How did it all start?How did it all start?

►► As a result of trying to figure As a result of trying to figure out a way to rivet their attention out a way to rivet their attention and make more practical sense and make more practical sense of their English classes!of their English classes!

Power pointPower point

The equipment the students The equipment the students found most desirable and found most desirable and appealing!appealing!

Age and level of students Age and level of students

one should apply it with one should apply it with The presentations one sets should The presentations one sets should

depend on the level, experience and depend on the level, experience and interests of the class. interests of the class.

► ► 15 to 18- year olds;15 to 18- year olds;

► ► Upper-Intermediate and aboveUpper-Intermediate and above

How do I go about it?How do I go about it?

First I prepare the soil:

• I sow the seed by explaining and rationalizing.

• I ask them to think of a topic.

A more thorough A more thorough preparationpreparation

►► Choosing the time.Choosing the time.

►► Giving them a well-structured plan Giving them a well-structured plan highlighting the major points in a highlighting the major points in a presentation.presentation.

►► Making a list of the order in which they Making a list of the order in which they will present and their topics.will present and their topics.

Presentations and what Presentations and what we should bear in mind we should bear in mind while preparingwhile preparing

1. Principal purpose1. Principal purpose

to informto inform

to entertainto entertain to convinceto convince to encourageto encourage

2. The importance of the 2. The importance of the audienceaudience

who will be therewho will be there;; audience reaction ( to be audience reaction ( to be

anticipatedanticipated).).

3. 3. Plan your presentationPlan your presentation

divide it into digestible, divide it into digestible, clear-cut parts: clear-cut parts:

╚ ╚ one general statement or one general statement or introduction; introduction;

╚╚ the body of the presentation;the body of the presentation;

╚╚ closing statement.closing statement.

give special attention to give special attention to the power point the power point technicalities technicalities

╚╚ the number of slides the number of slides

╚╚ the font, the font,

╚╚ the background.the background.

4. 4. Prepare/ rehearsePrepare/ rehearse

There are three important There are three important ingredients of each presentation:ingredients of each presentation:

preparation, preparation, preparation, preparation, preparation! preparation! Be fluent!Be fluent!

5. 5. Delivery and what one should Delivery and what one should bear in mind:bear in mind:

body language:body language: ╚╚ dress, dress, ╚╚ posture, posture, ╚ ╚ gestures, gestures, ╚╚ eye contact, eye contact, ╚╚ facial expression.facial expression.

be relaxed – be relaxed – avoid avoid nervous habits;nervous habits;

voice: voice: vary volume, vary volume, tempo, pitch, rhythmtempo, pitch, rhythm..

First stage - going from First stage - going from easy to more difficult easy to more difficult

Level: 9Level: 9thth grade – Upper-intermediate grade – Upper-intermediate

- students’ topics reflect their hobbies - students’ topics reflect their hobbies and interests - favorite actor, singer; and interests - favorite actor, singer; music, sport etc.music, sport etc.

- 4 to 8 minutes- 4 to 8 minutes

Second stage – a level Second stage – a level more challengingmore challenging

Level: 10 graders – advanced Level: 10 graders – advanced ↔ ↔ content content and length change correspondinglyand length change correspondingly::

a more serious topic, if possible a more serious topic, if possible connected with their school subjects: connected with their school subjects: history, geography etc.history, geography etc.

about 15 to 20 minutesabout 15 to 20 minutes

The many-sided effect The many-sided effect of students’ of students’ presentationspresentations

Broaden students’ Broaden students’ interests, boost their self-interests, boost their self-esteemesteem

They get a sense of achievement;They get a sense of achievement; They find out more about each They find out more about each

other’s interests;other’s interests; Everybody is given the due credit for Everybody is given the due credit for

his/her success.his/her success.

Heighten their confidence Heighten their confidence in the usage of English in the usage of English

broaden their knowledge of English broaden their knowledge of English in a certain field;in a certain field;

whole phrases and structures whole phrases and structures remain fixed in the active stock of remain fixed in the active stock of their vocabulary.their vocabulary.

Through presentations they Through presentations they acquire a number of acquire a number of practical skillspractical skills

Communication skillsCommunication skills::

►►learn how to behave in front learn how to behave in front of an audience;of an audience;

►► become aware of the become aware of the importance of body language;importance of body language;

Computer skills:Computer skills:

►► intensify the process of intensify the process of mastering computer skills, like mastering computer skills, like working with power point;working with power point;

Interpersonal skills

Learn to assess their Learn to assess their peers while presentingpeers while presenting

About fair and About fair and constructive criticismconstructive criticism

Criticism versus praise!Criticism versus praise! ‘‘One compliment is more effective One compliment is more effective

than a thousand critical comments, no than a thousand critical comments, no matter how well meaning’matter how well meaning’..

Chris Sion in “Talking business Chris Sion in “Talking business in class”in class”

Benefits gained from assessingBenefits gained from assessing::

makes them much more makes them much more observant;observant;

makes them much more critical makes them much more critical and self-critical;and self-critical;

teaches them the skill of peer teaches them the skill of peer assessment;assessment;

A spin-offA spin-off: : presentations in presentations in the classroom diversify the the classroom diversify the syllabussyllabus

They bring variety;They bring variety; They make teaching and learning They make teaching and learning

easier and more pleasant!easier and more pleasant!

Presented by Margarita Papazova -Presented by Margarita Papazova -

Teacher of English at the Private Teacher of English at the Private Business Language School of Business Language School of “Eurostandard”“Eurostandard”