Clear Presentations

B1 video lesson on speaking clearly, simple language and audience understanding.

Lesson Overview

Students watch a short presentation-skills video about speaking clearly. The lesson practises B1 language for giving information, using simple language, preparing a conversational presentation and checking audience understanding.

Before you watch

What makes a presentation difficult to understand?
Do you prefer simple language or technical language in a presentation?
How can a speaker check if their presentation is clear?

Clear Presentations

Open video on YouTube

Prep

Drag the correct ending into each gap.

1. If a presentation is clear,...

2. If you repeat something,...

3. If you use simple language,...

4. If a tone is conversational,...

5. If you practise on someone,...

6. If you go back to the drawing board,...

Mixed answer options

you avoid difficult or complicated words.you try again with a new plan.it sounds natural, like normal speaking.the audience can understand it easily.you say it again.you test your presentation with that person.

Watch the Video

Watch the full video once. Focus on why clarity is important and the three ways to make a presentation easier to understand.

Focus: clear information, audience understanding, simple language, conversational tone, practice, drawing board and clarity.

Open full video

Comprehension

Click each question to reveal the answer. Each question is synced to the video time.

0:01What is very important when giving a presentation?

It is very important to be clear when giving information.

0:18What can people do if they do not understand something they read?

They can go back and read it again.

0:26Why is a presentation different from reading?

The audience cannot easily go back and repeat the whole presentation.

1:10What is the first way to speak more clearly?

Use simple language and do not overcomplicate the vocabulary.

1:28What is the second way to make information clearer?

Prepare or script the presentation in a conversational tone.

2:00What is the third way to check your presentation?

Practise on someone who does not know anything about your topic.

2:17What should you do if the person does not understand?

Go back to the drawing board, check your language and tone, and try again.

2:40What is the main topic of the video?

The importance of being very clear when giving a presentation.

Vocabulary from the Video

Be very clear when giving .

People need to understand your .

Use simple .

Do not overcomplicate the .

Use a conversational .

Do not write it like an academic .

Practise on somebody who does not know your .

Go back to the drawing .

Mixed options

languageinformationtopicpapertoneboardconceptvocabulary

Vocabulary Review

Word / phrase	Meaning	Example
presentation	a talk given to an audience	She gave a presentation at work.
clear	easy to understand	Your information must be clear.
concept	an idea or topic	The concept was difficult.
go back	return to an earlier point	In a text, you can go back and read again.
repeat	say something again	Can you repeat that?
audience	the people listening or watching	The audience needs to understand.
instructions	information telling people what to do	Give clear instructions.
simple language	words that are easy to understand	Use simple language.
overcomplicate	make something too difficult	Do not overcomplicate your language.
vocabulary	words used in a language or topic	Choose simple vocabulary.
conversational tone	a natural speaking style	Use a conversational tone.
technical	specialist and difficult for non-experts	Do not make it too technical.
academic	formal, like school or university writing	Avoid an academic style.
back to the drawing board	try again with a new plan	If it is not clear, go back to the drawing board.
clarity	the quality of being clear	Clarity is important in presentations.

Collocations

give a

use simple

conversational

academic

clear

understand the

Mixed options

papertonepresentationconceptinstructionslanguage

Phrasal Verb Questions

When should you go and explain again?

How can you make your presentation stand ?

What information should you cut to make it clearer?

Who can you try your presentation ?

What can you write before presenting?

Mixed options

out onbackoutdownout

Speaking extension: Answer the five phrasal verb questions with a partner. Then simplify one difficult sentence from a presentation.

Typical Presentation and Signposting Language

Use signposting language to guide your audience through your presentation. It helps listeners understand where you are, what comes next and why each point matters.

Function	Useful language	Example
Opening	Today, I’m going to talk about... The aim of this presentation is...	Today, I’m going to talk about how to make presentations clearer.
Introducing the structure	There are three main points. First, I’ll explain... Then, I’ll look at...	There are three main points: language, tone and practice.
Moving to a new point	Let’s move on to... Now, I’d like to talk about...	Let’s move on to conversational tone.
Giving examples	For example,... For instance,...	For example, you can practise with someone who does not know your topic.
Emphasising	The key point is... What’s important here is...	The key point is that your audience must understand the first time.
Checking understanding	Does that make sense? Is that clear so far?	Is that clear so far?
Concluding	To sum up,... In conclusion,...	To sum up, use simple language, a conversational tone and practise first.
Inviting questions	Are there any questions? I’d be happy to answer any questions.	I’d be happy to answer any questions.

Exercise 1: Complete the signposting phrases

Today, I’m going to talk clear presentations.

There are three main .

Let’s move to the second point.

For , you can use simple language.

The key is clarity.

Does that make ?

To sum , clarity helps the audience.

Are there any ?

Mixed options

sensequestionsonaboutpointsexampleuppoint

Exercise 2: Match the signpost to the function

Today, I’m going to talk about... =

Let’s move on to... =

For example,... =

The key point is... =

Does that make sense? =

To sum up,... =

Mixed options

checking understandingopeningemphasisingconcludingmoving to a new pointgiving examples

Exercise 3: Improve the mini-presentation

Click each weak sentence to reveal a better version with signposting language.

I will talk about presentations.

Today, I’m going to talk about how to make presentations clearer.

There are some things.

There are three main points: simple language, conversational tone and practice.

Now another thing.

Let’s move on to the second point: conversational tone.

This is important.

The key point is that the audience needs to understand you the first time.

That is all.

To sum up, use simple language, practise first and make sure your tone is conversational.

Exercise 4: Build your own opening

Use “Today, I’m going to talk about...”
Your topic: clear presentations.

Use “There are three main points...”
Your points: language, tone, practice.

Use “To sum up...”
Conclude the presentation.

Discussion

Why is clarity important in a presentation?
What happens if the audience does not understand?
Is it better to use simple or impressive language?
How can a conversational tone help the audience?
Who would you practise a presentation on?
What topics are difficult to explain clearly?
How can you make instructions clearer?

Useful Language

Giving advice	Explaining problems	Checking clarity
Make sure you... You should... Try to...	The problem is that... It can be confusing when...	Does that make sense? Is that clear?

Role Play: Make It Clear

Situation: One student is preparing a presentation. The other student listens and gives advice to make it clearer.

Student A: Presenter

Explain a simple topic, but include one unclear or complicated sentence.

Student B: Coach

Ask clarification questions and suggest simpler language and a more conversational tone.

Challenge

Use: make sure, simple language, conversational tone, repeat, audience, clear.