The Danger of a Single Story

In this talk Nigerian novelist Chimamanda Adichie warns us about the risk of reducing a human being or a group of people to a single narrative.

“The single story creates stereotypes, and the problem with stereotypes is not that they are untrue, but that they are incomplete. They make one story become the only story.”

SPEAKING ASSIGNMENT

BACHILLERATO 1º E / F
For this term's speaking assignment you will have to prepare a small talk on any subject you like (an idea, an opinion...). You will be expected to speak for about 5 minutes and keep your audience interested and engaged throughout your talk.

Take your time to choose a topic, do a bit of research - the web is full of tips on how to speak in public and give presentations - and get started.  

You are probably quite familiar with Ted Talks by now and you have probably watched a few. They are a good place to start. 
Here are just a couple of examples:

Oral Presentations

Your assignment for this term speaking exam will be  a 5 to ten-10 minute oral presentation on any topic you choose. Make sure you choose a topic you know well and you think may be of interest to the class.

It is important that you use some visual aids to enhance your presentation.

Your presentation will be assessed not only by your teacher, but by your classmates as well.

Tips about giving presentations:

   

• Explain the structure of your presentation at the beginning so that your listeners know what to expect.
•  Use clear, simple language. Do not use too many technical words. If you do, write them on the board.
• Make sure you understand everything you are saying and can pronounce all the words.
• Use your own words and  DO NOT learn by heart.
• Do not read from your notes.
• Speak clearly and make sure everyone can understand you.
• Use interesting material to illustrate your presentation, but do not overload your audience.
• Be aware of your body language. Look audience in the eye. Stand up straight.
• Breathe! (It helps you relax)

Here are some more tips to help you:




 


These are some of the points your teacher will be looking at:

• Use of English: grammar / vocabulary
• Pronunciation
• Clarity and fluency
• Use of visual aids
• Is your presentation well prepared and rehearsed?
• Is it interesting? 

Watching others speak in  public is also a good idea. Ted Talks has hundreds of talks on every topic by adults and teenagers and even children. You can choose the topic, the language, whether you want to  watch it with or without subtitles... It is a great  site to practice your English.

Here are two examples:
A 12-year-old app developer

Gaming can make a better world

Do Schools Kill Creativity?

Listen to a talk by Ken Robinson and then complete the tasks



Now write down :

• two anecdotes 
• something you found funny
• three things you found interesting 
• a quote 
• a summary of the talk (brief)
• your personal opinion

Do Schools Kill Creativity

We have been talking about education in class. Now listen to education expert Ken Robinson talk about creativity and schools.  Do you agree with Ken Robinson?  

Click on the image to go to the page.

You may also read the script here.

TED: ideas worth spreading. Visit Ted for hundreds of interesting talks.