This is a lesson plan designed for higher levels (B2+) to help students develop their presentation skills. Download the phrase sheet and topic cards below:
Preparation
Prepare a 2-minute example presentation on a topic close to your heart using as much of the language from the handout as you can.
Procedure
Tell students that you’re going to give a presentation, tell them that they need to make notes on: the main idea, supporting ideas and impressive language.
Give your presentation and then give students a minute to compare their notes and share in open class.
Give out the handout and have students look for the expressions that they heard, clear up any doubts students may have about the language.
Students then choose presentation topics for each other. Give them 2-3 minutes to prepare their presentations. Pairs then join together to make groups of 4. Each member gives their presentation, teacher monitors and takes notes for feedback. Other members of the group note how many expressions their classmates use in their presentations and give them constructive feedback.
Homework: Students prep another micro-presentation for the next class. Topics could include: a hobby, a product sales pitch, a persuasive argument.
Handout
Language
| Starting
The thing about… is… What I find most interesting about… is… |
Abbreviating
In a nutshell, To cut a long story short… |
| Sequencers
First of all, To begin with, First and foremost, Secondly, Finally, Last but not least, And to top it all off, |
Addition
What’s more, On top of that, Besides that, Apart from that, Another thing to consider is… We shouldn’t forget that… It’s also worth bearing in mind that… |
| Adding Emphasis
(I don’t agree with him) at all. Without a shadow of a doubt. By far the best/worst/biggest etc. is… The park near my house is especially/particularly beautiful |
Fillers
You know? So, I mean, In other words How can I put this? |
| Contrast/Comparison
On the one hand, on the other hand, But actually… But in actual fact… However Whereas/while |
Conclusion
So to sum up, So in summary, So to wrap up, So as I was saying, All in all, |
Topics
Choose a topic for your partner from the list below, you have two minutes to make notes before giving a two minute micro-presentation.
| Tourism in your city | How we can save the planet | Modern cinema | The worst thing about being a teenager | The best thing about being a teenager |
| The most important invention ever | Ways to live a healthier life | Consumerism | The effect the internet is having on society | The world in 20 years’ time |
| The importance of fashion nowadays | Sexism in the media | Differences between your life and your parents | The ideal holiday | The most useful subjects at school |
| Modern music | Different pressures that girls and boys face | Dating nowadays | The most useful thing you own | The best way to study for exams |
| The best place to go on a first date | The perfect weekend | Smartphone addiction | Zoos and pets | The best thing to study at uni
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