ESL CONNECT | Body Language Presentations B2

Presentation Body Language

This B2 lesson helps students understand how non-verbal communication can influence the success of a presentation.

Lead-in:

What body language makes a presenter look confident? What makes them look nervous?
Which body-language habit do you find most difficult to control when speaking in public?
Can confident body language make someone seem more convincing even when their ideas are weak?
How is body language different in an online presentation compared with an in-person presentation?

Open video on YouTube

Prep Part 1

Match the key words before watching the first part.

Questions

1

If communication is non-verbal,...

2

If you maintain eye contact,...

3

If someone is fidgeting,...

4

If eyes are averted,...

Answer options

Watch Part 1

Watch from 0:00 to about 1:10. Focus on why body language matters and the first two positions.

Watch on YouTube

Open the first part of the video.

Open video

Tapescript Gap Fill: First Minute

Listen to the first minute of the video. Complete the tapescript with the 8 missing words.

Complete the text

Research shows that sending the right kinds of non-verbal during a presentation can help you achieve more successful . Your ideas are important but so is your body . People who show positive, confident body language, such as smiling, maintaining eye contact, and persuasive tend to be more successful presenters than those who display negative signals, such as , stiff hand movements, and averted eyes. So, how can you send out the same signals and hopefully generate the same ? These 6 positions are indicators of effective, persuasive body language. The first one is the . Early in Bill Clinton’s political career he would punctuate his speeches with big, wide that made him appear untrustworthy.

Missing words

Use each word once.

Comprehension 1

Click each question to reveal the answer.

The right kinds of non-verbal communication can help presenters achieve more successful outcomes.

Smiling, maintaining eye contact and persuasive gesturing.

Fidgeting, stiff hand movements and averted eyes.

It means imagining a box in front of your chest and belly and keeping hand movements within it.

It suggests confidence and control, as if you have the facts at your fingertips.

Vocabulary from Part 1

1Body language is a form of non-verbal .

2Good body language can lead to successful .

3Fidgeting can make you look .

4The Clinton box helps keep gestures under .

Prep Part 2

Match the ideas before watching the second part.

Questions

1

If someone looks smug,...

2

If a gesture shows openness,...

3

If someone is assertive,...

4

If you review a video with the sound off,...

Answer options

Watch Part 2

Watch from about 1:10 to the end. Focus on the remaining body-language positions and practical advice.

Watch on YouTube

Open the second part of the video.

Open video

Comprehension 2

Click each question to reveal the answer.

They help control body language and keep the hands still when the speaker feels nervous.

Do not overuse them or combine them with domineering or arrogant facial expressions.

It signals that the speaker feels in control.

It indicates openness and honesty.

Record it, review it with the sound off, and watch only your body language.

Vocabulary from Part 2

1Pyramid hands can help nervous hands stay .

2A wide stance can signal .

3Palms up can suggest openness and .

4Palms down can signify strength and .

Vocabulary Review

Review key B2 presentation vocabulary from the video.

Word / phrase	Meaning	Example
non-verbal communication	communication without words	Body language is non-verbal communication.
body language	meaning shown through posture, gestures and facial expression	Your body language affects your presentation.
eye contact	looking at people while speaking	Maintaining eye contact shows confidence.
gesture	a movement of the hand or body to express meaning	Use persuasive gestures.
fidget	make small nervous movements	Try not to fidget during a speech.
averted eyes	eyes turned away	Averted eyes can send a negative signal.
smug	too pleased with yourself	The goal is to look relaxed, not smug.
stance	the way someone stands	A wide stance can show control.
assertiveness	confident and direct communication	Palms down can suggest assertiveness.
make or break	be the thing that causes success or failure	Body language won’t necessarily make or break you.

Vocabulary Gap Fill

Drag the correct vocabulary item from the word bank into each sentence.

1Maintaining can make a presenter look more confident and engaged.

2Repeatedly moving your hands or feet because you are nervous is called .

3The way a presenter stands is known as their .

4Palms-down gestures can communicate strength and .

5Facial expressions, posture and gestures are all forms of .

Grammar: Advice and Presentation Tips

Use B2 structures to give advice about presenting confidently.

Structure	Use	Example
try to + verb	practical advice	Try to maintain eye contact.
avoid + -ing	say what not to do	Avoid fidgeting during a presentation.
make sure + clause	strong advice	Make sure your gestures look natural.
might want to + verb	gentle suggestion	You might want to record yourself practising.

Grammar Exercise 1: Complete the sentences

1Try to eye contact.

2Avoid during a presentation.

3Make sure your gestures natural.

4You might want to yourself.

5Practise until the positions natural.

Grammar Exercise 2: Reveal the correction

Try to maintain eye contact.

Avoid fidgeting during a presentation.

Make sure your gestures look natural.

You might want to record yourself.

Grammar Exercise 3: Sentence Transformations

Use “try to”.
Maintain eye contact during your presentation.

Use “avoid”.
Do not fidget while presenting.

Use “make sure”.
Your gestures need to look natural.

Use “might want to”.
Record yourself before the presentation.

Discussion

Use the vocabulary and grammar from the lesson.

What body language makes a speaker look trustworthy?
Can too many gestures damage a presentation?
Which is more important: body language or voice?
Would you feel comfortable recording yourself presenting?
How can body language change in online presentations?
Which body-language tip would you try first?

Useful Language

Giving advice	Describing body language	Giving opinions
You should... Try to... Avoid... You might want to...	It signals... It suggests... It makes you look...	I’d say that... From my point of view... I’m not convinced that...

Role Play: Presentation Coach

Practise giving feedback on body language.

Situation: One student is preparing for an important presentation. The other student is a presentation coach.

Student A: Presenter

Explain what you are worried about and demonstrate your current body language.

Student B: Presentation Coach

Give advice on gestures, stance, eye contact and confidence.

Challenge

Use at least four phrases from the grammar section.

Presenter language	Coach language
I’m worried about... I don’t know how to... Does this look natural?	Try to... Avoid... Make sure... You might want to...