In this lesson we're going to be talking

about public speaking.

Public speaking is daunting for most people.

It's commonly cited as the number one fear,

above snakes, above spiders and above heights.

Now, presenting in a foreign language is even harder

and the chances are if you want to work

in a multinational company,

you'll have to present at some point.

In this lesson I'm going to give you

some key tips for presenting clearly and confidently.

I'm also going to give you some key phrases

that you can use to fill in the gaps.

Additionally, I will help you develop

your presenting technique

so that you can look and sound

like those successful people you see giving Ted Talks.

Let's get started with the lesson.

(scratches)

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Tip number one is to use set phrases to fill gaps.

Firstly, let's discuss some key phrases that you can use.

The first topic is greeting your audience.

You can say good morning,

good afternoon or good evening.

You can also say welcome to

and then the name of the event.

First, let me introduce myself.

I am Lucy from my company.

Beginning your presentation.

Let me start by giving you some background information.

Or as you're aware.

If you're bringing up a topic

that your audience already knows about

then you can use this phrase to introduce it.

For example, as you're aware

this product is available in three countries.

Transitioning to the next topic.

Before you move on to your next point,

make sure it's clear to your audience.

For example, let's move on to our next key point.

Or turning our attention now

to the results of our market research.

Providing more details.

I'd like to expand on.

For example, I'd like to expand on my point

about the fall in GDP.

You can also say, let me elaborate further.

Linking to another topic.

As I said at the beginning.

You can use this one to remind your audience

about a point you made earlier.

It can also be used for emphasis.

For example, as I said in the beginning,

we might have a crisis on the horizon.

The same goes for this relates

to what I was saying earlier.

Or this ties in with.

Emphasising a point.

The significance of this is.

Or this is important because.

Or we have to remember that.

Making reference to information.

Based on our findings.

Or our data shows.

Or according to our study.

Explaining visuals.

I'd like to illustrate this point by showing you.

Or this chart shows a breakdown of.

A breakdown is often used in a presentation

to show all of the smaller parts

of something bigger.

Repeating your point.

These phrases are useful for emphasis

and helping your audience to remember

and understand what you said.

In other words.

To put it simply.

What I mean to say is.

Concluding your presentation.

In conclusion.

Let me sum up my main points.

Thank you for your attention.

I'm happy to answer any questions you might have.

Tip number two is slow down.

The number one tip I can give you

especially if English is not your first language

is slow down.

When we get nervous we tend to speed up.

If you combine this with an accent

that the audience isn't used to,

your audience will struggle to understand you.

This is especially important

at the beginning of any speech.

You need to give them a bit of time

to get used to how you speak.

Number three is use pauses to your advantage.

Pauses are so useful.

They give us time to process what is said.

After saying something impactful

I always leave a couple of seconds

for the audience to process it.

Use these pauses to give yourself time to think

and time to have a break.

Use them instead of saying um

which can sound unprofessional.

The best speakers make the audience think

that the pause has been included for their advantage

when in reality they just needed to take a second

to consider what they're going to say next.

Number four is do not apologise for your English.

Now this is controversial and I'm not going to say

that you should never say this

but definitely reconsider saying it.

More often than not when I watch a presentation

delivered by someone who isn't a native English speaker,

they will start their presentation with

sorry for my English.

I personally don't like this.

I think they're doing themselves a disservice.

They could take so much more control over the situation.

Why not try saying something else like,

"English isn't my first language,

but I'm going to try my best here."

Instead of seeming unconfident and nervous and embarrassed

you're taking ownership,

you're dealing with your circumstances.

Number five is practise but don't learn.

You can 100% tell the difference

between somebody who's delivering a presentation naturally

and somebody who has learnt a presentation word for word.

A practise presentation is organic and trustworthy,

it flows.

A learnt presentation is rigid, memorised

and a bit stagnant.

It doesn't matter if your presentation

is ever so slightly different each time you practise it.

Number six, use your cue cards to your advantage.

If you are allowed to use cue cards or speaker's notes

you must have them.

You might not actually need to use them

in your presentation

but consider them your insurance policy.

If the worse comes to the worst and you get stuck

or get stage fright,

they will help you get right back on track.

Having them in your hand

also might make you feel more confident.

You never know when you're going to be caught off guard.

Number seven is body language.

Think about your body language.

Everyone is different but when I present

I don't like to walk around on stage.

I'm very uncoordinated

and it's likely I will trip or stumble.

I like to have my feet apart so that I'm steady.

I have my cue cards in one hand

but I use both to gesticulate and emphasise.

Practise in front of the mirror.

Think about your chest,

is it puffed out?

Think about where you look in the room.

Do you focus on one person in the audience

or do you flick around?

Think about your nervous ticks.

Mine is touching my hair and stroking my ring

or my thumbnail.

Try not to do that.

Film yourself delivering your presentation

and work out what body language needs to stay

and what needs to go.

Tip number eight is dress for the part.

If it's smart casual I lean towards the smart side.

Feeling smart makes you feel more confident.

Iron that shirt, shine those shoes

and paint those nails if you are so inclined.

Have a small mirror on you to check your teeth and face

if you know that you will have a camera on you.

Number nine is watch you who want to sound like.

My final tip is to learn from the best.

Watch a variety of Ted Talks and interesting speeches

and consider which styles of delivery you like best.

Find out more about the speaker

and try to channel their confidence and delivery

but don't mimic.

You need to develop your own style.

Being inspired is the best way to do this.

Right, that's it for this lesson.

If you have any more advice

on how to improve your public speaking

please do comment down below.

I really hope you enjoyed this lesson

and I hope you learned something.

Don't forget to connect with me

on all of my social media.

I've got my Facebook, my Instagram and my Twitter

and I shall see you soon for another lesson.

(blows a kiss)

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