📖 Key Vocabulary — Pre-teach Before Class
Introduce or review these words with students before starting the lesson so they can use them during speaking practice.
1articulateable to express oneself clearly and effectively
2eloquencefluent and persuasive speaking or writing
3body languagenonverbal communication through gestures, posture, and expressions
4to project one's voiceto speak loudly and clearly enough to be heard
5rehearsalpractice for a performance or event
6to enunciateto pronounce words clearly and distinctly
7poisegraceful and composed behavior, especially under pressure
8anxietya feeling of worry or nervousness
9to captivateto attract and hold the interest of others
10self-doubta lack of confidence in oneself
11to freeze upto become suddenly unable to speak or act due to nervousness
12eye contactlooking directly at someone's eyes while speaking
13to improviseto speak or act without preparation
14persuasiveable to convince others
15to fumble one's wordsto speak clumsily or hesitantly
16composurethe state of being calm and in control of oneself
17to engage an audienceto hold the attention and interest of listeners
18a pep talkan encouraging speech meant to boost confidence
19self-consciousoverly aware of oneself, often anxious about others' opinions
20an icebreakeran activity or comment used to relax people at the start of an event
✍️ Vocabulary Practice — Fill in the Blank
Complete each sentence below with the correct word or phrase from the 20 vocabulary words above. Use each word only once.
▼
a pep talk
an icebreaker
anxiety
articulate
body language
composure
eloquence
eye contact
persuasive
poise
rehearsal
self-conscious
self-doubt
to captivate
to engage an audience
to enunciate
to freeze up
to fumble one's words
to improvise
to project one's voice
- Trainers remind speakers that , such as posture and gestures, can say as much as words.
- Many teenagers feel when asked to speak in front of their classmates.
- Asking questions throughout the talk is a great way to .
- The interviewer was impressed by how the candidate was when explaining her ideas.
- Before walking on stage, she felt a wave of despite weeks of preparation.
- The team held one final the night before the big presentation.
- The coach told him to slow down and each word more clearly.
- Despite the tough questions from the audience, he kept his throughout the presentation.
- Without a microphone, she had to so that people at the back of the hall could hear.
- Her closing argument was so that even the skeptics in the room nodded along.
- When his slides failed, he had no choice but to the rest of his talk.
- Public speaking triggers so much in some students that their hands start to shake.
- A skilled storyteller can an entire room within the first thirty seconds of a speech.
- The graduation speech was remembered for its rather than its length.
- Maintaining with the audience helps build trust and keeps listeners engaged.
- The workshop began with to help the participants relax and get to know one another.
- Before the final round, the coach gave the team to boost their confidence.
- It's common for beginners to the moment they see the audience staring back at them.
- Nervous speakers sometimes when they haven't practiced enough.
- Even when the microphone cut out, she handled the situation with remarkable .
1.body language
2.self-conscious
3.to engage an audience
4.articulate
5.self-doubt
6.rehearsal
7.to enunciate
8.composure
9.to project one's voice
10.persuasive
11.to improvise
12.anxiety
13.to captivate
14.eloquence
15.eye contact
16.an icebreaker
17.a pep talk
18.to freeze up
19.to fumble one's words
20.poise
🕐 0'–10': Warm-up & Opening Question
Purpose
Help everyone relax, get comfortable speaking, and activate ideas.
Teacher asks👉 "How comfortable do you feel speaking in front of a group?"
Follow-up questions- Have you ever had to give a speech or presentation?
- What makes some people better public speakers than others?
➡ Each student answers briefly (about 1 minute); the teacher asks 1–2 short follow-ups to keep it natural.
🗣️ 10'–45': IELTS Speaking – Part 2 Practice
Format: 1 minute preparation · 2 minutes seconds speaking per student. Students choose or are assigned ONE of the topics below:
Topic 1
Describe a time you had to speak in front of an audience.
You should say:
- What the occasion was
- What you talked about
- How you prepared
- And explain how you felt during and after the experience
Topic 2
Describe someone you think is a confident and skilled speaker.
You should say:
- Who this person is
- When you have seen them speak
- What makes them effective
- And explain what you have learned from watching them
Topic 3
Describe a time you overcame nervousness to do something difficult.
You should say:
- What the situation was
- Why you felt nervous
- How you overcame the nervousness
- And explain how you felt afterward
➡ Timing suggestion: 1 minute for preparation, then start speaking.
💬 45'–55': Follow-up Discussion (Part 3 style)
The teacher chooses questions related to the topics above, for example:
Public Speaking Skills
- Why do so many people fear public speaking?
- Can public speaking skills be improved through practice, or is it mostly natural talent?
- Should public speaking be taught more in schools?
Confidence & Success
- How does confidence affect a person's chances of success?
- Is there a difference between confidence and arrogance?
- Do you think social media has affected young people's confidence?
stage fright – nervousness felt before performing or speaking publicly
to command an audience's attention – to hold listeners' focus effectively
self-assured – confident in one's own abilities
to overcome nerves – to successfully manage feelings of anxiety
➡ Students discuss briefly; the teacher adds ideas, vocabulary, and useful structures.
🌟 55'–60': Wrap-up & Closing
- Quick recap of interesting or strong answers.
- One student summarizes what they learned today.
- Thank the teacher for joining.