Public speaking: giving effective advice and recommendations

B2
90 min
Premium
1

Think about these questions before reading. Share your ideas with a partner.

  1. Describe a time you had to give a presentation or speak in front of a group. What was the situation, and how did you prepare for it?
  2. Think about the most engaging speaker you've ever listened to. What specific techniques did they use to keep the audience's attention?
  3. What do you believe is the biggest challenge when presenting in a language that isn't your native one, and what strategies could help overcome it?
2

Handling Presentation Q&A

Listen to the dialogue. Notice how the vocabulary and grammar from the lesson are used.

3

Listen to the dialogue again and answer the questions in your own words.

01What part of the presentation does Marco find most nerve-wracking, and why?
Sample answerHe finds the Q&A part the most nerve-wracking because he finds it hard to think on his feet and freezes when questions start.
02What is Emma's first piece of advice for handling questions and giving yourself time to think?
Sample answerShe suggests using a simple phrase like, 'That's a great question,' which gives you a moment to think before answering.
03According to Emma, what should a presenter do if they don't know the answer to a question?
Sample answerShe advises being honest and saying something like, 'I don't have the exact figures on hand, but I can get back to you on that.' She says this shows confidence.
04What is the 'key takeaway' from Emma's advice on how to manage a Q&A session?
Sample answerThe key takeaway is to stay in control, for example by politely deferring off-topic questions and offering to discuss them afterwards.
4

Key vocabulary for presentations

Vocabulary
These expressions will help you discuss the topic of public speaking more effectively.
Examples
To think on your feet — to react to events or answer questions quickly and effectively without previous preparation.
This is a crucial skill for the Q&A part of a presentation. You often have to think on your feet when you get an unexpected question.
To get your point across — to successfully communicate an idea or message so that people understand it.
Use this to talk about the effectiveness of communication. For example: 'Using simple language and clear visuals will help you get your point across.'
Key takeaway — the main idea or most important piece of information you want your audience to remember from a talk.
This is often used in the plural: 'What were the key takeaways from her speech?' It's a common, business-focused synonym for 'main point' or 'conclusion'.
To field questions — to deal with a series of questions, especially difficult or unexpected ones, from an audience.
This phrase implies a level of skill and confidence and is more formal than 'answer questions'. For example: 'After his talk, the CEO fielded questions from the press.'
A captive audience — a group of people who are not free to leave an event and therefore have to listen to what is being said.
This can be used slightly humorously. Even if you have a captive audience, like in a mandatory meeting, you still need to work to keep them engaged.
5

Effective presentation techniques

Giving a good presentation involves more than just reading from slides. Match the sentence halves to make useful phrases about public speaking.

Match each item on the left with the correct item on the right.

Drag or click to match
Definitions
6

Grammar: Modals for advice and obligation

Grammar
When giving advice or feedback about presentations, we use modal verbs to show how strong our suggestion or recommendation is. While 'should' is common for general advice, modals like 'must', 'have to', and 'had better' express stronger necessity or obligation.
Examples
You should rehearse your presentation several times to build confidence.
'Should' is used here to give standard, polite advice. It's a strong suggestion but not an order.
You have to include the quarterly sales figures; the board requires them.
'Have to' indicates an external obligation or rule that is not optional. 'Must' would imply a strong personal feeling of necessity from the speaker.
You'd better not go over the 15-minute time limit, or they'll cut you off.
'Had better' is strong advice that warns of a specific negative consequence if it's ignored. It's often used for more urgent situations.
Key points
  • Use 'should' or 'ought to' for general advice and recommendations.
  • Use 'have to' for obligations based on rules and 'must' for strong personal obligations.
  • Use 'had better' to give a strong warning about a potential negative result.
7

Check your grammar and vocabulary

Can you spot the mistakes in these sentences about public speaking?

Each sentence contains one error. Find and correct it.

01To make a lasting impression, your conclusion must be memorable and impact.
Corrected version
To make a lasting impression, your conclusion must be memorable and impact. impactful.
02You must to anticipate potential questions from the audience before you present.
Corrected version
You must to anticipate potential questions from the audience before you present.
03It's difficult to get your point through when you only have five minutes to speak.
Corrected version
It's difficult to get your point through across when you only have five minutes to speak.
04The key takeaway from her speech about climate change were that small actions matter.
Corrected version
The key takeaway from her speech about climate change were was that small actions matter.
05A great presenter needs to be able to think on their legs when fielding tough questions.
Corrected version
A great presenter needs to be able to think on their legs feet when fielding tough questions.
06She delivered her part of the presentation very confident, which impressed the board.
Corrected version
She delivered her part of the presentation very confident, confidently, which impressed the board.
07For your next presentation, I suggest to use fewer words on each of your visual aids.
Corrected version
For your next presentation, I suggest to use using fewer words on each of your visual aids.
8

Useful phrases: managing the Q&A session

Vocabulary
The question and answer (Q&A) part of your presentation is crucial for engaging your audience. These phrases will help you manage questions confidently, from inviting them to handling tricky ones and closing the session smoothly.
Examples
That's a great question. — use this to positively acknowledge a question before you answer.
Register: neutral. This phrase buys you a few seconds to think and makes the person asking the question feel valued. It's a classic for a reason.
If I understand you correctly, you're asking about... — use this to clarify a question you're not sure about.
Register: neutral/formal. It's much better to confirm you've understood than to answer the wrong question. It shows you are listening carefully.
I don't have the exact figures on hand, but I can get back to you on that. — use this to politely defer a question you can't answer immediately.
Register: neutral/formal. This is a professional way to admit you don't know something without losing credibility. Make sure you follow up later.
That's an interesting point, but it's also worth considering... — use this to handle a challenging question or a different point of view.
Register: neutral/formal. This phrase allows you to acknowledge the other person's perspective before politely disagreeing or offering an alternative.
That's a bit outside the scope of today's talk, but I'd be happy to discuss it with you afterwards. — use this to manage off-topic questions.
Register: neutral/formal. This keeps your presentation focused without being rude to the person asking. It shows you're willing to engage but need to respect the schedule.
I think we have time for one last question. — use this to signal the end of the Q&A session.
Register: neutral. This is a clear and polite way to manage time and bring your presentation to a controlled close.
9

Complete the sentences with words from the box. One word is extra.

Word bank
01The key from her talk was that continuous learning is essential for career growth.
02After the product demo, the engineer stayed to questions from potential investors.
03Since attendance was mandatory for all staff, the CEO had a audience for his annual address.
04When the projector failed, the speaker had to think and continue her presentation without slides.
05He used a very powerful story to his main point about the importance of teamwork.
10

The art of the Q&A

Read the article excerpt below, then answer the comprehension questions.

Many presenters feel a sense of relief when their main talk concludes, but the question-and-answer session is often where the real work begins. You might have a captive audience, but their attention can easily drift if you're not prepared. To truly succeed, you must be ready to field questions on any aspect of your topic. A good strategy is to anticipate what people could ask and prepare concise answers. This preparation helps you think on your feet when an unexpected query arises. You should see the Q&A not as a test, but as a final opportunity to get your point across and reinforce the key takeaway of your presentation. It’s your chance to clarify any confusion and ensure your message truly lands with impact.

01According to the text, when does the 'real work' of a presentation often begin?
Sample answerIt often begins during the question-and-answer session, after the main talk has finished.
02What strategy does the author recommend for handling the Q&A session effectively?
Sample answerThe author recommends anticipating potential questions and preparing concise answers in advance.
03How does the author believe a presenter should view the Q&A session?
Sample answerA presenter should view it as a final opportunity to communicate their main idea and clarify points, not as a test.
04The text states that preparation helps you 'think on your feet'. What does this imply about handling unexpected questions?
Sample answerIt implies that by preparing for likely questions, a presenter becomes more mentally agile and familiar with their topic, which makes it easier to handle surprising or difficult questions.
11

Discuss these questions with a partner. Try to use vocabulary from the lesson.

  1. Some argue that with modern technology, a presenter's ability to think on their feet is less important than having polished visual aids. To what extent do you agree? Is it more crucial to have a perfect script or the skill to field unexpected questions?
  2. Reflecting on your own culture or professional background, what is the most effective way to get your point across to an audience? Is it through data and facts, storytelling, or another method?
  3. Imagine you must give a presentation to a captive audience, such as at a mandatory company meeting. What specific strategies should you use to engage them and ensure they remember the key takeaway, knowing they might not be there by choice?