Try this fun Public Speaking Game!

Summary

This video introduces the fun and effective public speaking game 'Sell Me This...', designed to help students improve their confidence and persuasive language skills. In this impromptu challenge, students must sell an imaginary product in 30 seconds with no planning time. The teacher models the activity using a watermelon as an example, demonstrating the 'Features and Benefits' technique to make the pitch smoother. The game encourages creativity, critical thinking, and fluency, while also fostering a supportive, engaging environment in the classroom. It’s an exciting way to help students develop essential speaking skills!

Takeaways

• 😀 The 'Sell Me This...' game is an impromptu public speaking activity designed to boost students' confidence and persuasive language skills.
• 😀 Students are challenged to sell a random product with only 30 seconds to prepare, promoting quick thinking and creativity.
• 😀 The teacher selects a product from a pre-prepared list, which may include both common and unusual items, making the activity diverse and fun.
• 😀 Products can range from electric scooters and video game consoles to mundane items like cheese graters or slippers.
• 😀 A key technique for success in the game is 'Features and Benefits,' where students highlight a product's features and explain how they benefit the audience.
• 😀 Using the 'Features and Benefits' technique allows students to structure their pitch more seamlessly and flow from one idea to the next.
• 😀 Teachers should model the game for students to demonstrate how it works and help them feel more confident in participating.
• 😀 The teacher's role is also to create a supportive, trusting environment where students feel comfortable trying out new skills.
• 😀 The game helps students develop public speaking abilities, encouraging both verbal and non-verbal communication skills.
• 😀 Teachers should ensure the environment is fun and light-hearted, making it easier for students to step outside their comfort zones.
• 😀 The game is a great way for students to practice persuasive language and gain confidence in speaking on the spot.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of the 'Sell Me This...' game?

The main purpose of the 'Sell Me This...' game is to help students build confidence in public speaking, improve their persuasive language skills, and think on their feet by selling an imaginary product to an audience in just 30 seconds.

How much time do students have to prepare for their presentation in the game?

Students are given 30 seconds to prepare their presentation, and they are not allowed any planning time beforehand.

What types of items are students asked to sell during the game?

Students are asked to sell a variety of items, including random and imaginary products like an electric scooter, basketball, video game console, or even mundane objects like a cheese grater, beach umbrella, or slippers.

What is the challenge involved in the 'Sell Me This...' game?

The challenge is that students have to come up with their entire sales pitch on the spot, using no prior planning. This often results in stopping, starting, and filling their speech with 'ums' and 'ahs'.

What technique can help students improve their sales pitch during the game?

The 'Features and Benefits' technique can help students improve their pitch. This involves highlighting key features of the product and explaining how those features benefit the audience.

Can you give an example of the 'Features and Benefits' technique applied to a product?

For example, if selling an electric scooter, a student could mention that it has a rechargeable battery (feature) that lasts twice as long as current models (benefit), and that the plastic frame is made from recycled water bottles (feature), which makes it rust-resistant and environmentally friendly (benefit).

Why is it important for the teacher to model the game for students?

It’s important for the teacher to model the game to show students how it works, set an example, and make them feel more comfortable and confident when it’s their turn to participate.

What is one of the key challenges students face when they first try the game?

One of the key challenges is that 30 seconds feels much longer than expected, and students often struggle to switch off their overthinking and enter a smooth flow of speech, leading to pauses and hesitation.

How can teachers create a supportive environment for this game?

Teachers can create a supportive environment by encouraging participation, offering positive reinforcement, and ensuring that students feel comfortable and confident, knowing that making mistakes is part of the learning process.

How did the teacher model the game in the video?

In the video, the teacher modeled the game by selling a watermelon, using the 'Features and Benefits' technique. They highlighted the watermelon’s sweetness and versatility, suggesting ways to use it, like freezing it for ice blocks or making smoothies, to demonstrate how a product can be pitched effectively.