View Content #28691

by Madi Collins, CASLS Student Worker

This activity was designed to help learners to increase their comprehension of presentational speaking. It was designed for learners of all levels, but Novice and Intermediate language learners may find it more useful as they look for additional opportunities to practice interpretation of the presentational mode. Advanced learners, who have had more practice, will find the activity a useful review.

Learning outcomes:
Learners will be able to:

• Identify and summarize key points from a presentational speech
• Use technology to support comprehension when listening to presentational speech

Mode(s): Presentational

Materials: Five Tips for Understanding Presentational Speaking video, Understanding Presentational Speaking Handout, a video of presentational speaking done in the L2 (supplied by instructor)

Procedure:

1. Before meeting as a group, ask learners to find a video of presentational speech in the target language. Ask them to spend 10 minutes trying to understand the video using whatever strategies they are aware of (e.g., slowing the audio). They should note their strategies. If they don't have any they currently use, learners can also be encouraged to brainstorm new ideas.
2. As a group, show the learners the Five Tips for Understanding Presentational Speaking video. 
3. Have learners discuss the video as a class. Document their responses to the questions that follow on a an accessible, public space like a bulletin board or in a shared digital space like a Google Jamboard.
   1. Did they use similar strategies when watching their own videos? What other strategies did they use?
   2. To what extent did the strategies seem useful?
4. Next, begin practicing the strategies. Show learners a pre-selected presentational speaking video that aligns with learners' needs and goals (see note below). Direct students to take notes using the Understanding Presentational Speaking Handout during the video (questions 1-3).
5. Next, show the video two more times. The first time, include subtitles. The second time, remove the subtitles and set the audio at a slower setting. As the learners watch, they may answer questions 1-4 on the handout.
6. Discuss the questions below as a class. 
   1. What were some key terms that learners understood?
   2. What key ideas were learners able to identify?
   3. Did using technology (e.g., subtitles and slower audio speeds) help learners to understand more of the speech?
   4. Are learners able to provide a summary of the presentational speech (if necessary, in the L1)?
   5. Will learners try and use these note-taking strategies and technology when listening to presentational speech in the L2 in the future? Why or why not? Are other strategies more helpful to learners?

Notes:

• The presentational texts utilized in class should align well with the proficiency levels of learners as well as  the goals of learners. For example, teachers may want to request that Novice learners studying weather find weather reports in Step 1. Alternatively, Advanced learners may be encouraged to find TED Talks about a relevant social topic.