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Public Speaking for ESL Students | ESL Presentations

If you’re looking for public speaking lesson plans, you’re in the right place! Keep on reading for everything you need to know about public speaking activities for students.

Public Speaking for ESL Students

I LOVE teaching public speaking to my university student in Korea. My presentation classes have probably been some of the best ones I’ve taught in all my years in Korea. Here are some more details about why I like it so much.

First Things First, Buy Speaking of Speech

If you teach public speaking or presentations to middle school, high school, or university students, the first thing you should do is get yourself this textbook: Speaking of Speech: Basic Presentation Skills for Beginners.

Speaking of Speech is an excellent public speaking book for ESL students. It has complete public speaking lesson plans for students.

Even students who are at a high beginner level of English can grasp the basic concepts from Speaking of Speech. It’s funny, engaging, and extremely practical. Speak of Speech takes students through three areas

  • The Physical message (gestures, eye contact, etc.)
  • The Visual message (PowerPoint)
  • The Story message (how to write an interesting speech)

Even if you don’t use the entire Speaking of Speech book, it’ll give you a good framework on which to base your classes, particularly if you’ve never taught public speaking before.  Even in English classes that are not dedicated entirely to public speaking or presentations, but which fall under the general umbrella of “conversation” or “whatever you want to teach,” I’ll often slip in some public speaking and presentations using Speaking of Speech.

Where can I Buy Speaking of Speech?

Speaking of Speech isn’t easy to find in bookstores, particularly outside of Asia. The best place to check is if you have a contract with Macmillan. My university bookstore was able to order in books through them for my students. The next best place to check is on Amazon:

Speaking of Speech on Amazon

Speaking of Speech Example Video

Here’s one speech from the textbook:

Public Speaking for ESL Students: 4 Reasons Why

There are a number of reasons why I like to teach public speaking to my ESL/EFL students. Here are just a few of them:

#1: A Solid Skill

Public Speaking is a concrete set of skills that students can hold onto and use at a later date. Think job interviews, in other courses, or on the job.

#2: Increase Confidence in English

Presentations help increase confidence when speaking English. Things like eye contact and speaking loud enough are important, even in general conversation.

I like dedicating some time to this in class.

#3: Practice for Job Interviews

Presentations at job interviews are big these days in Korea. Many of the big corporations require English presentations or interviews as a way to test English ability.

#4: Mix Things Up in Class

Teacher sanity! I’d far rather listen to some (well done!) presentations for the speaking portion of a midterm or final exam than actually engage in 1-1 conversations with over a hundred students, which leaves me exhausted for weeks. Call me lazy if you must.

Apart from exams, it’s an interesting class or two during the semester when I get to sit back and listen, instead of just talking. Plus, I think the students like it too! It’s not me at the front of the class blathering away about random things.

Teaching Public Speaking: Join the Conversation

Do you teach presentations and public speaking at a Korean university, or around the world? Any tips or tricks for doing it well? Leave a comment below and let us know about it.

Also be sure to give this article a share on Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest.

About Jackie

Jackie Bolen has been teaching English for more than 15 years to students in South Korea and Canada. She's taught all ages, levels and kinds of TEFL classes. She holds an MA degree, along with the Celta and Delta English teaching certifications.

Jackie is the author of more than 30 books for English teachers and English learners, including Advanced English Conversation Dialogues and 39 No-Prep/Low-Prep ESL Speaking Activities for Teenagers and Adults. She loves to share her ESL games, activities, teaching tips, and more with other teachers throughout the world.

You can find her on social media at:
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Jackie Bolen has been talking ESL South Korea since 2014. The goal is to bring you the best tips, ideas, and news for everything teaching English in Korea, including university jobs.

Contact Jackie Bolen and My Life! Teaching in a Korean University here.

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Address: 2436 Kelly Ave, Port Coquitlam, Canada

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