Speaking: Public Speaking & Presentations B1
Lesson 1: Preparing & Delivering a Short Talk ("My Favorite Place")
Listen to key concepts and the example talk.
Why is Structure Important?
A good talk is like a good journey. You need a clear beginning, a middle, and an end. This structure helps you stay organized, and more importantly, it helps your audience follow your ideas without getting lost.
The 3-Part Talk Structure 🏛️
Every good presentation, from a 2-minute talk to a 1-hour lecture, follows this simple 3-part structure. (Click 🔊)
Your goal: Get the audience's attention and tell them your topic.
- Good morning, everyone.
- Today, I'd like to talk about...
- My topic is...
Your goal: Give your main ideas. Use "signposting" words to guide your listener.
- First, the food is amazing.
- Second, it's very beautiful.
- Also, it's a great place to relax.
Your goal: Summarize your main points and give a final, memorable thought.
- In conclusion...
- To sum up...
- Thank you for listening.
Example Talk: "My Favorite Place: Kampot"
[Introduction] "Good morning, everyone. Today, I'd like to talk about my favorite place in Cambodia, which is the town of Kampot. I love it for three main reasons."
[Body - Point 1] "First, the atmosphere is incredibly relaxing. It's much quieter than Phnom Penh, and you can just sit by the river and watch the boats go by."
[Body - Point 2] "The second reason is the beautiful nature. You can ride a moto up Bokor Mountain to see the clouds, or you can visit a pepper farm."
[Body - Point 3] "Finally, the town itself is just beautiful. It has a lot of old French buildings, and the market is a great place to walk around."
[Conclusion] "In conclusion, Kampot is my favorite place because of its relaxing atmosphere, beautiful nature, and lovely town. If you haven't been, I highly recommend you visit. Thank you for listening."
How to Prepare (A B1 Secret)
💡 Tip: Use Cue Cards, Not a Full Script
Many learners try to write their *entire* speech and read it. This sounds robotic and unnatural. A B1 speaker learns to use cue cards (small note cards) with only keywords.
BAD 👎 (Full Script)
"Good morning everyone. Today I would like to talk about my favorite place. My favorite place is Kampot. I love it for three main reasons. First, the atmosphere is incredibly relaxing. It's much quieter than Phnom Penh..."
GOOD 👍 (Cue Card)
Card 1: Intro
- Greet audience
- Topic: Kampot (my fav place)
- 3 reasons
Card 2: Body
1. Relaxing (quiet, river)
2. Nature (Bokor, pepper)
3. Town (old buildings, market)
Card 3: Conclusion
- Sum up: (relaxing, nature, town)
- Recommend visit
- Thank you
Writing cue cards forces you to speak naturally, not read. This is the most important step to sounding fluent.
Practice What You Learned 🎯
Quiz: Identify the Structure
Read the sentences and choose the correct part of the presentation. Click "Check Answers" when done.
1. Which phrase is best for an INTRODUCTION?
2. What is a "signposting" word for the BODY?
3. Which phrase is best for a CONCLUSION?
Key Vocabulary Reference (Click 🔊)
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Introduction
The beginning of your talk.
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Body
The middle part of your talk, containing your main ideas (usually 2-3 points).
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Conclusion
The end of your talk, where you summarize your points.
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Signposting
Using words to guide your listener (e.g., "First," "Second," "In conclusion").
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Cue Card
A small card with notes to help you remember your speech.
Your Speaking Mission ⭐
Prepare Your 2-Minute Talk
Your mission is to prepare your own 2-minute presentation about "My Favorite Place in Cambodia." (It could be a province, a city, a specific café, or even your own bedroom!)
- Brainstorm: Why do you like it? Choose your 3 main reasons.
- Structure: Organize your ideas into the 3-Part Structure (Introduction, Body, Conclusion).
- Write Cue Cards: Write keywords only on small pieces of paper. (DO NOT write the full sentences).
- Practice: Practice your speech 3-5 times using only your cue cards. Time yourself to make sure it is around 2 minutes.
Challenge: Try to record yourself on your phone and listen back!