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What if My English Isn’t Good Enough? (presenting in a second language)

  • By Carlos Acebey
  • Jun 23, 2016
  • Filed in CC 1 Explicit Instruction, Planning an OC Course, SLO 4 Organize Information, SLO 5 Engage Audience, Text, Video

Webpage addressing common fears about presenting in a second language. There are practical suggestions and links to a video where a TA puts these suggestions into practice, and delivers a clear presentation despite having a strong accent. The target audience is international TAs, but the content will generalize well to undergraduates.

Go to material

Strengths

The website highlight the following strategies that improve an audience’s understanding of an oral presentation, for example:

  • Checking for understanding by asking the listener to summarize what’s been explained.
  • Asking for clarification.
  • Effectively using visuals.

Concerns

The content is directed at Graduate Student TAs, so at first glance an undergraduate student may not find the material relevant. BUT… this resource can be a really good conversation-starter for helping non-native English speakers.

Recommendations for use

Individuals in a teaching capacity should glean from the content to help non-native English speakers prepare for presenting. Additionally, the strategies can be used as a starting point for anyone looking to become better presenters.