Page 28 - ELG1807 July Issue 459

RESOURCES .

No

more

rabbits

in the

headlights

W henever your students speak, it’s evident that they’ve understood the front of an audience, however small this

their intention is to inform,
audience may be, will remain terrifying for
concept and that they’re perfectly capable
your students as long as they’re unfamiliar
of applying it.
persuade or inspire.
It might just be about
Yet, when you ask them a question out of
trivial matters, such as telling a shop the blue – particularly if this is outside of with doing so.
The best way to eliminate any fear is
assistant what they’re looking for, wanting the normal classroom setting – panic sets in by integrating presentations into regular
to persuade their classmate to help them and they go blank. lesson routines. Start with short mini-
with their homework or inspiring their presentations, where they are expected
friend to do something new. WHY THE PANIC? to make two or three statements, initially
But one thing is certain, presenting in a Expecting a spontaneous response from allowing them to remain seated.
foreign language can be daunting and takes a beginner or intermediate student is quite As their confidence grows, they can be
time and preparation, as well as a certain a tall order, particularly as students are asked to present for longer, standing up and
amount of confidence. projecting their voice.
Although the subject Presenting Creating a ‘roadmap’ might prove to be
matter itself may seem spontaneous responses another very useful tool for your students.
trivial, the chances are This roadmap should include some best-
the intent is not. in front of an audience, practice structure for specific tasks (e.g.
So, the more composed for sharing an opinion at a team meeting,
a student can be, the more however small this providing their line manager with a progress
effective their message audience may be, will report, answering an interview question,
will be. etc.).
remain terrifying Also, equipping your students with some
PUT ON THE stock phrases on how to open, what to say
SPOT not expected to express themselves fully in the middle and how to conclude will give
I’m sure you’re spontaneously until they reach C1. them a clear structure, helping them keep
all familiar with The difficulty level of the task combined nervousness to a minimum and concentrate
this: You’ve been with the pressure of the spotlight cause the on their message.
practising a certain student to panic and freeze as if they were a A regular practice session in your lesson,
aspect of the rabbit caught in the headlights. as close to the real thing as possible, will
language with your The best way to prevent your students help your students become more confident
students in depth from panicking is to prepare them well. with their pronunciation and intonation,
and at great length. standing in front of a crowd and using those
If given some time HELP YOUR STUDENTS SUCCEED stock phrases.
to prepare a response, Presenting spontaneous responses in It will become a routine and therefore
28 July 2018

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