Presentations in English - How to Give a Presentation - Business English

Summary

This video script from Oxford Online English is a comprehensive guide on crafting effective presentations in English. It begins by addressing common concerns about presenting in a non-native language and then dives into practical strategies for self-introduction, topic explanation, and audience engagement. Key techniques include establishing a problem and solution, sharing interesting facts or statistics, and telling relatable stories to captivate the audience. The script emphasizes the importance of structure and signposting to keep the presentation organized and the audience informed. Additionally, it offers advice for handling unexpected issues, such as forgetting points or dealing with difficult questions, by using filler phrases, rephrasing, and strategic deflection. The lesson concludes with an invitation for viewers to share their own presentation tips, fostering a community of learners.

Takeaways

• 😀 Start with a proper self-introduction, especially in formal settings, by stating your name and position.
• 📝 Clearly introduce your presentation topic, breaking it down into stages if it's complex.
• 🔍 Practice both informal and formal introductions to cater to different audience settings.
• 🎯 Use engaging techniques to grab attention, such as establishing a problem and offering a solution, mentioning an interesting fact, or telling a relatable story.
• 🗣️ Understand that good speakers work to earn and maintain the audience's attention, unlike bad speakers who assume it.
• 📈 Signposting language is crucial for organizing your presentation and guiding the audience through your points.
• 🔄 Use phrases like 'Next,' 'Now that,' and 'To wrap up,' to transition smoothly between sections of your presentation.
• 🤔 Prepare for potential problems during your presentation with cue cards and by learning filler phrases to buy time.
• 💡 Correct mistakes gracefully without admitting them directly by using phrases like 'Let me rephrase that' or 'To clarify,'
• 🙏 Handle difficult questions by delaying, deflecting, or dismissing them politely, ensuring you maintain control of the presentation.
• ✍️ Leave a comment with your own advice for giving good presentations to continue the learning and sharing process.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of the lesson in the transcript?

The main purpose of the lesson is to teach English language learners how to make a presentation in English, including useful phrases and techniques for introduction, organization, problem-solving, and responding to questions.

How does the lesson suggest one should introduce themselves in a formal presentation setting?

In a formal setting, one should greet the audience politely, mention their name, and state their position in the company, for example: 'Good morning everyone. For those who don’t know me, my name’s Simon, and I work in the marketing department.'

What is an informal way to introduce oneself in a presentation?

In an informal setting, one could use a casual greeting and mention their name and department, such as: 'Hi guys; if you don’t know me, I’m Sylvia and I work in digital marketing.'

How should one introduce a simple presentation topic according to the lesson?

For a simple topic, one could use a single sentence to introduce it, like: 'Today, I’m going to be talking about our new HR policies and how they affect you.'

What is the suggested approach for introducing a more complex presentation topic?

For a complex topic, it's recommended to break down the idea into stages, outlining the policies, highlighting their implications, and discussing their necessity and benefits, as demonstrated in the examples provided.

What are some techniques to grab the audience's attention during a presentation?

Three techniques mentioned are: establishing a problem and offering a solution, mentioning an interesting fact or surprising statistic, and telling a short story that connects to the topic.

What does Dale Carnegie's quote about presentations suggest?

Dale Carnegie's quote suggests that a presentation should not only provide information but also clearly show how the information is organized, using signposting language to guide the audience through the presentation.

What is signposting language and why is it important in presentations?

Signposting language consists of words and phrases that indicate the beginning and end of points, what's coming next, and reminders of previous topics. It's important because it helps structure and organize information, making it easier for the audience to follow and understand the presentation.

What should one do if they forget where they were in their presentation?

If one forgets where they were, they can use filler phrases like 'Where was I?' or 'So, what was I saying?' and refer back to their cue card with main points to continue the presentation smoothly.

How can one handle making a mistake or not explaining something clearly during a presentation?

To handle mistakes, one can use phrases like 'Let me rephrase that.' or 'Actually, what I meant to say is…' to correct themselves without explicitly admitting to an error.

What strategies can be used to deal with difficult questions during a presentation?

Strategies for dealing with difficult questions include delaying the answer, deflecting by asking the question back or seeking other audience members' opinions, and dismissing the question if it's irrelevant to the presentation.

What does the lesson suggest for practicing presentation skills?

The lesson suggests practicing both informal and formal self-introductions and topic explanations, using the provided language and structures to become more comfortable and effective in presenting.