1. Source: Learner Independence Worksheets (adapted) IATEFL, 1997
Gabriela Ferraro
CLASS TALKS
Making a speech or giving a presentation can be a terrifying experience. But don’t panic! These
suggestions are here to help you. Below you have some topics for the class talks. Don’t forget that you
can use your school library to help you prepare for this activity.
1. THE WORLD AROUND US
- biodiversity
- endangered species
- deforestation
- global warming/ global dimming
- reducing, re-using and recycling
- cloning
- renewable and non-renewable energies
- pollution
2. YOUNG PEOPLE AS CONSUMERS
- food
- fashion
- entertainment
- brands and logos
- advertising
3. THE WORLD OF WORK
- career choices
- dream job
- job diversity
- technology in the work place
4. A WORLD OF MANY CULTURES
- English speaking countries
- different habits and cultures
- multicultural world
- equal opportunities
- racism/ intolerance
► Keep your talk short, 2-3 minutes, maximum 5 minutes.
► Read about your subject and make a page or two of notes. Next reduce these notes to headings or keywords
which you may refer to during your talk.
► Speak to your audience directly. Don’t read aloud from a prepared text. Look at your audience, not only at
the teacher.
► Write the title of your subject on the blackboard at the beginning. You may want to write keywords and
phrases if they are new to your audience. If you have any pictures, transparencies, maps or diagrams they will
add to the interest of the talk.
► Don’t confuse your audience with too many details – facts and figures that don’t mean anything to them,
names that they have never heard of.
► Try to sound interested in your talk. Say why you chose it and why it interests you.
► If you can make your audience laugh or smile near the beginning of your talk, it will relax them and more
importantly, it will relax you.
► Take particular care over the beginning and ending of your talk.Don’t let your talk just ‘fizzle out'
► Remember this good advice on public speaking: “First tell them what you are going to say, then
say it, and then tell them what you have said”.
► Why not practice for this activity with your friends?
esas
English - 11 th form 2007/08