Speaking Formally and Giving Presentations
Use Standard English confidently in formal and informal spoken contexts — give short speeches and presentations expressing own ideas clearly, keeping to the point, and adapting register and vocabulary to the audience
What a learner can do afterwards
- Deliver a 2-3 minute presentation on a topic with a clear opening, organised points, and a conclusion
- Adapt language between formal and informal registers depending on the context and audience
- Maintain eye contact, appropriate pace, and clear articulation when speaking to a group
The lesson
Formal speaking means talking to a group in a planned, organised way, like giving a presentation to your class or a speech at assembly. It uses Standard English: clear grammar, full sentences, no slang. That's different from chatting with a friend.
Ade gives a 3-minute presentation on recycling. She opens with, 'Good morning, today I want to talk about why recycling matters.' She explains two clear points with examples, then finishes with, 'To sum up, small actions like recycling make a big difference.' She speaks slowly and looks at her classmates the whole time.
Match your words to your audience. Presenting to your class calls for formal language and full sentences. Chatting with a friend at lunch can be relaxed. Before you speak, ask yourself who is listening and what tone they expect.
A good presentation has a clear opening, organised points, and a conclusion, delivered in Standard English suited to your audience.
Watch it
Where it sits
Learn first
This opens up
Where this leads
Jobs that lean on this skill. Follow one to see everything it is built on.
8 questions wait behind this lesson, each with its answer explained. Every answer feeds the sky: stars light as they are learned, and dim when it is time to come back.