Rationale
English has emerged as a global language, widely spoken and understood across the world, particularly in the context of internationalization It serves as the first language in numerous countries and plays a crucial role in various sectors, including economy, culture, politics, and finance In diplomatic relations, English is the primary means of communication, which explains why many economic and cultural organizations have English names and why companies prioritize English proficiency among their employees Consequently, the importance of teaching and learning English is undeniable, leading to its status as a core subject in schools worldwide.
In Vietnam, English has become a mandatory subject across all educational levels, from primary schools to universities It is common to encounter farmers who can greet foreigners with simple phrases like "hello" or "thank you," demonstrating the country’s commitment to actively learning and naturally absorbing the English language.
In Vietnam, an increasing number of individuals are selecting English as their major to meet the demands of internationalization They recognize the significance of English and its various applications in life, understanding that strong English skills can lead to better job opportunities in the future.
However, to master English is not easy to Vietnamese because of differences between the two cultures, the two linguistic characteristics Therefore, studying English keeps insight in a lot of difficulties
Speaking is a crucial English skill that reflects a user's proficiency in the language As the most common form of communication, speaking is utilized in our daily interactions Effective communication relies heavily on the ability to articulate thoughts and ideas verbally.
2 effectively in English if we can not speak well even we are very good at listening, writing and reading?
Effective presentation skills are crucial for showcasing a speaker's knowledge and abilities; however, many Vietnamese individuals struggle with public speaking, often succumbing to confusion or nervousness This challenge is particularly evident among English majors, who, despite their active and determined nature, face difficulties when presenting their ideas in English as a second language.
As a fourth-year English major at Haiphong Private University, I, along with my peers, face challenges in delivering effective presentations during English speaking sessions This issue becomes increasingly significant as we prepare for key events like our final internship reports and graduation papers The pressure intensifies as we approach graduation and enter the job market, where strong presentation skills are crucial Employers are unlikely to hire English graduates who struggle with speaking and presenting effectively, highlighting the importance of overcoming these difficulties.
Providing presentation techniques to students is essential, particularly for fourth-year English majors With nearly four years of studying speaking skills, these students possess a solid foundation that enables them to meet presentation requirements effectively.
I hope that the study will help me and the fourth-year English majors at HPU improve our presentation skill remarkably, meeting the reality demand.
Aims of the study
My main aim is how to make an effective presentation, giving students techniques to make better one Therefore, this study is aimed at:
- Finding out the difficulties faced by the students when they make a presentation
- Giving out solutions for difficulties and tips for an effective presentation.
Scope of the study
Due to the diverse nature of presentations and my own constraints in time, knowledge, and experience, it is challenging to address every aspect of English presentations and effective teaching methods for presentation skills Therefore, this article will focus on identifying common difficulties faced when making presentations and offering techniques to enhance presentation effectiveness, specifically for fourth-year English majors at Haiphong Private University I aim for this study to serve as a valuable resource for English majors at HPU and all students seeking to improve their presentation skills.
Methods of the study
To finish this study, I carried out some following methods:
- Collecting information from reference books and websites
- Interviewing and conducting Survey questionnaires for the fourth year English majors at HPU
- Consulting from my supervisor and other teachers in foreign language department as well as my all friends at HPU
The study consists of three main parts:
Part one is the introduction including the rationale, aim, scope, methods, objectives of the study
Part two is the development, the most important part of my study, divided into three chapters:
In this chapter, I introduce the general theory of presentation, classification of presentation especially oral presentation, then draw out some problems and give out solutions
Chapter 2: “Difficulties faced by the fourth year English majors at HPU when making a presentation”
This chapter presents an analysis of the findings from survey questionnaires, evaluations of students, interviews with teachers, and personal experiences to identify the challenges faced by fourth-year English majors at HPU It also offers potential solutions to address these difficulties.
Chapter 3: “How to make an effective presentation among the fourth year English majors at Haiphong Private University”
This chapter refers to the most important process for a presentation, tips for the HPU students to make an effective presentation
Part three is the conclusion of my study
The introduction of my graduation paper serves as an overview, providing readers with insights into my research topic, the rationale behind choosing this subject, the purpose of the paper, and the methodologies employed It outlines the framework for the main content, specifically focusing on "How to create an effective presentation for fourth-year English majors at Haiphong Private University."
Now, after this introduction I will go in detail into the literature review in which we will have a look on presentation, especially oral presentation and its importance
PART TWO: THE STUDY CHAPTER 1: LITERATURE REVIEW
To create an impactful presentation, it is essential to first grasp the true meaning of what a presentation is Therefore, a clear and concise definition should be provided to ensure that everyone can easily understand its purpose and significance.
There are a lot of definitions about presentation; however, I only figure out some of them that are, in my opinion, easy to understand
A presentation is defined as the act of demonstrating and clarifying the content of a specific topic to an audience or learners, as stated by Wikipedia.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/presentation)
According to this definition, all what we do to explain something special or detailed to others called presentations
Another definition is: “Presentation is a short talk by one person to a group of people introducing and describing a particular subject”
(Teaching Presentation Skill to ESL.Ss- www.englishclub.com)
This is a narrow definition In reality, presentations may be given by one more person and are not short talks because they may be done by videos, film, etc
A presentation is defined as a formal talk delivered to one or more individuals, aimed at clearly and systematically conveying ideas or information This definition highlights the importance of structure and clarity in effectively communicating messages in various contexts, particularly in the business realm.
(Business presentation & public speaking English- www.Englishclub.com)
In this definition, it is said that “presentation is a formal talk” because this case is in business activities, they need formality
Compared with reports, we have a definition from Big Dog:
“Presentations and reports are ways of communicating ideas and information to a group But unlike a report, a presentation carries the speaker’s personality better and allows immediate interaction between all participants”
A presentation is defined as the process of preparing and delivering essential content in a clear and concise manner, which facilitates effective communication This definition, as articulated by Morrissey & Sechrest (1987), emphasizes the importance of organization and clarity in conveying critical subject matter.
A presentation is a structured event where preplanned material is delivered to an audience for a specific purpose, often utilizing various media like computer software, slides, and printed handouts Successful presentations rely on effective body language and strong interpersonal communication skills Typically, presentations aim to introduce new concepts, persuade the audience of a particular viewpoint, or provide information They are commonly employed by sales representatives to showcase products to potential customers and are also integral in team briefings and other business settings.
(http://dictionary.bnet.com/definition/Presentation.html)
In summary, presentations encompass various meanings based on different contexts, yet they are a common aspect of daily life for everyone Whether it's a brief discussion, a formal address, or any form of public speaking, presentations primarily serve the purpose of facilitating communication among individuals.
When preparing a presentation, it's essential to consider the audience, the ideas and information you intend to convey, and the specific expectations of the assignment, as these factors significantly influence your presentation style and content choice.
The chart below lists some of the types of presentation and which audience they might work best for
(Multimedia is a combination of written, oral and visual, e.g in a computer presentation or a web site.)
The article discusses various forms of written content, including personal narratives, manuals, reports, book reviews, annotated bibliographies, and different types of articles such as newspaper and magazine pieces It also highlights the importance of documents like letters and diaries, as well as scripts, interviews, and telephone conversations Additionally, the piece mentions the use of project cubes and page-sized charts or diagrams as effective tools for organizing information.
Small group questionnaire, survey, scroll, scrapbook, pamphlet, booklet discussion group, seminar, debate cartoon or comic strip, photographs, photo essay, artifact, model, diorama, game, display
Large group questionnaire, survey, advertisement, chart advertisement, lecture, talk show, song, debate, choral speech, lesson poster, timeline, web page, map, model, mobile, large diagram, puppet show, skit, overheads
(The data is from Thames Valley District School Board, 2000 on website: http://www3.sympatico.ca/sandra.hughes/sandra.hughes/research/presentations. html)
Presentations can be classified in various ways, one of which is proposed by Randall P Whatley, President of Cypress Media Group He emphasizes that the initial step in preparing a presentation is to clearly define its purpose Understanding the different types of presentations and their objectives is crucial, as each type necessitates a specific organizational technique to ensure clarity and retention for the audience Additionally, recommended organizational structures are provided to enhance effectiveness.
Keep an informative presentation brief and to the point Stick to the facts and avoid complicated information Choose one of the following organizational structures for an informative presentation:
- Explains when things should happen
- Works best with visual people or people who can see the overall organization or sequence of events
- Use words like first, second, third, to list order
- Explains where things should happen
- Works best with people who understand the group or area you are talking about
- Use words like Region 1, 2, 3, or 4 to explain order
- Explains how things should happen
- Works best with people who understand the relationship between events
- Use phrases like “Because of , we now have to _”
- Simply list items in their order of importance
- Works best with people who are accustomed to breaking down complex data into components in order to digest the material
In an instructional presentation, your primary goal is to provide clear and specific directions or orders This type of presentation is typically more extensive, as it requires a thorough exploration of the topic Ultimately, your audience should leave with enhanced knowledge or a newly acquired skill.
- Explain why the information or skill is valuable to the audience
- Explain the learning objectives of the instructional program
- Demonstrate the process if it involves something in which the audience will later participate using the following method
- Demonstrate it first without comment
- Demonstrate it again with a brief explanation
- Demonstrate it a third time, step-by-step, with an explanation
- Have the participants practice the skill
- Provide participants the opportunity to ask questions, give, and receive feedback from you and their peers
- Connect the learning to actual use
- Have participants verbally state how they will use it
In an engaging presentation, your goal is to stimulate the audience's thoughts on a specific issue, evoking both their emotions and intellect to ensure they are open to your perspective To achieve this, employ vivid language that conveys sincerity and enthusiasm, capturing the audience's attention and fostering a deeper connection with your message.
- Gain attention with a story that illustrates (and sometimes exaggerates) the problem
- Show the need to solve the problem and illustrate it with an example that is general or commonplace
- Describe your solution for a satisfactory resolution to the problem
- Compare/contrast the two worlds with the problem solved and unsolved
- Call the audience to action to help solve the problem
- Give the audience a directive that is clear, easy, and immediate
In a persuasive presentation, your goal is to persuade your audience to embrace your proposal by effectively addressing a controversy or problem To achieve success, it's essential to combine strong logic, compelling evidence, and emotional appeal, ensuring that your arguments resonate and sway the listeners to your perspective.
A compelling introduction is essential for a persuasive presentation, as it captures the audience's attention while clearly outlining the problem or need that your product or service addresses By effectively highlighting the benefits of resolving this issue, you not only engage your audience but also create anticipation for the solutions you offer.
- Create a desire for the audience to agree with you by describing exactly how your product or service with fills their real needs
- Close your persuasive presentation with a call to action
- Ask for the decision that you want to be made
- Ask for the course of action that you want to be followed