Using Gestures in Presentations

One way to improve your presentations is to use hand gestures. However, many students aren't sure how to use hand gestures. Here are some useful videos on using hand gestures and some basic rules.

VIDEO 1 - This video shows many examples of speakers using gestures. Don't worry about understanding the English. Instead, watch how the gestures match the intonation or feeling of the speakers.

VIDEO 2: This man advises you to practice your presentation sitting down as if you are having a conversation with a friend. If you do this, he says that gestures will come naturally. He also advises you to change the words in your presentation if they are not conversational enough. The English subtitles are correct in this video, so be sure to turn them on if you want to know more!

VIDEO 3: This speaker advises you to move and walk during your presentation. This also has correct English subtitles you can play. 

VIDEO 4: Advanced gestures! This speaker speaks quickly, and the subtitles are not correct. However, he is an expert on giving speeches, and his advice is really good if you can understand it. 

Some basic rules:

1. Practice your presentation many times, but don't try to memorize a script. Instead, imagine that  you are talking to friends about your topic. This will help you develop gestures naturally. 

2. Here are some places you can use gestures: Introducing a new idea. Giving an example: "For example.." Describing something (your hand gestures can help make a picture of that thing). Emphasizing something ("She was very beautiful." "His life changed completely.")

3. Don't force it. If it doesn't feel natural to use a gesture, don't use it. Instead, just be careful not to fidget with your hands. "Fidget" means nervously moving your hands, not using them purposefully to help your communication. 

Have you seen any other videos or websites that gave good advice about using gestures in presentations? If so, please share the link to that website in the comments!

Les Miserables Supplemental Materials

Hey, students! I'm posting a couple videos and links here that might be interesting to you if you would like more information on "Les Miserables."

First, here is a link about the uprising depicted in "Les Miserables"(the June Rebellion). The beginning of the article is about the French Revolution, so if you want to know what happened to the students in this smaller uprising in 1832, scroll down to the section called "The End of the Uprising." http://plays.about.com/od/musicals/a/Les-Miserables-Historical-Background.htm

Next, here is a video from the 2012 film version of "Les Miserables" which shows the students confronting the government. The video includes English subtitles of a popular song from the musical:

Finally, here is a video that gives some general information about the story, movies and book "Les Miserables."

I hope you have enjoyed reading this book and that it has helped you to improve your English and get some practice in thinking and talking about characters and their actions. You have all done a great job speaking with each other and sharing your ideas this semester!

If you have any comments or questions about any of these videos, please feel free to ask/share in the comments!

Final Presentation Example Video

Dear students,

I'm sorry it has been so long since I have posted! I will reply to your comments soon! In the meantime, here is a video that some teachers in Level B have made which gives an example of how to do your presentation.

Watch the video and take notes on some of these things:
Speaking feedback (What did they do well? What can they improve?)
Posture, gestures, eye contact (What kinds of gestures did they use? How did they use their pictures and videos?)
How did the speakers change sections? What phrases did they use to introduce each other?

If you have any questions about this video example, please also ask!

I hope this video is helpful to you as you prepare your presentation! Remember, you can always schedule an appointment with me, or you can attend the Lounge Writing class and ask the teacher if you can give your presentation or section.

Take care and enjoy the school festival this week!

Sincerely,
Jennifer