Speaking and Listening Skills · Term 2

The Art of Presentation

Learning to speak clearly and use eye contact when sharing ideas with a group.

About This Topic

The Art of Presentation teaches Year 1 students to speak clearly, maintain eye contact, and prepare ideas before sharing with a group. Clear speech involves distinct pronunciation, appropriate volume, and steady pace, while eye contact signals attention and connection. Preparation means thinking through main points first, which reduces hesitation and builds confidence during activities like show-and-tell or class discussions.

This topic aligns with Australian Curriculum standards AC9E1LY01, which covers expressing ideas and information orally, and AC9E1LY08, which emphasizes listening skills including body language cues. It strengthens oral language foundations, vital for reading, writing, and social competence in early primary years. Students learn that effective presentation involves both speaker and listener roles, promoting reciprocal communication.

Active learning benefits this topic greatly because skills like eye contact and clarity develop best through repeated, low-stakes practice. Role-plays, peer mirrors, and group feedback circles allow immediate application and reflection, turning nervous speakers into poised ones while fostering empathy through active listening roles.

Learning Objectives

• Demonstrate clear articulation and appropriate volume when speaking to a small group.
• Identify and explain two non-verbal cues that indicate attentive listening.
• Compare the effectiveness of prepared versus unprepared responses during a short presentation.
• Design a simple visual aid to support a spoken idea.
• Evaluate their own presentation delivery based on a simple checklist.

Before You Start

Basic Oral Communication

Why: Students need foundational experience speaking in short sentences and engaging in simple question-and-answer exchanges before focusing on presentation skills.

Understanding Social Cues

Why: Prior exposure to recognizing basic facial expressions and body language in peers helps students understand the concept of non-verbal communication.

Key Vocabulary

articulation	The clear and distinct pronunciation of words so that others can understand you easily.
eye contact	Looking at the faces of the people you are speaking to, which shows you are engaged and confident.
pace	The speed at which you speak; speaking too fast or too slow can make it hard for listeners to follow.
non-verbal cues	Signals given by your body, such as nodding or leaning in, that show you are listening and paying attention.

Active Learning Ideas

Pair Practice: Mirror Talks

Partners face each other and take turns sharing a favorite toy or animal for 1 minute, practicing eye contact and clear words. Switch roles and give one star (good thing) and one wish (improvement). Repeat twice for fluency.

⏱ 20 min·Pairs

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Small Group: Idea Web Shares

In groups of 4, students draw a quick web of 3 ideas about their weekend, then present one by one with eye contact and clear speech. Group members signal understanding with thumbs up. Discuss what helped clarity.

⏱ 30 min·Small Groups

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Whole Class: Confidence Circle

Students sit in a circle; each shares a sentence about their name or family while making eye contact around the group. Class echoes key words to reinforce clarity. Teacher models first.

⏱ 25 min·Whole Class

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Individual Prep: Puppet Pals

Students plan a 30-second puppet show script on a daily routine, practice alone with a mirror for eye contact, then share with a partner. Note preparation differences.

⏱ 15 min·Individual

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Real-World Connections

News reporters on television use clear articulation and consistent eye contact with the camera to deliver information effectively to a wide audience.

Librarians or museum guides often use prepared notes and practice their delivery to share stories or exhibit details engagingly with groups of visitors.

Young athletes on a sports team learn to use specific verbal cues and non-verbal signals, like hand gestures, to communicate plays and strategies during a game.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Speaking louder always makes you clearer.

What to Teach Instead

Clarity comes from pace, enunciation, and pauses, not just volume. Active pair mirrors let students hear and see differences immediately, adjusting through trial and feedback to find the right balance.

Common Misconception

Eye contact means staring without blinking.

What to Teach Instead

Eye contact builds connection through brief, friendly glances. Role-play games with peer signals help students practice natural looks, reducing shyness and building comfort via positive reinforcement.

Common Misconception

You can present well without planning.

What to Teach Instead

Quick planning organizes thoughts and cuts filler words. Group web activities show students how preparation leads to smoother delivery, with peers noting confident differences in real time.

Assessment Ideas

Quick Check

During a 'Show and Tell' activity, observe students and use a simple checklist with three items: 'Spoke clearly?', 'Made eye contact?', 'Held attention?'. Give a thumbs up or down for each.

Discussion Prompt

After a student presents, ask the class: 'What did [student's name] do that made them easy to understand?' and 'What was one way [student's name] showed they were listening to others?'

Exit Ticket

Provide students with a card asking them to draw one way to show they are listening and write one word that describes speaking clearly.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you teach eye contact in Year 1 English presentations?

Start with pair mirror exercises where students practice short shares while holding gentle eye contact, using fun prompts like favorite colors. Add class circles for broader practice, with thumbs-up signals from listeners. Consistent low-pressure reps build habit, linking to AC9E1LY08 body language cues over 4-6 lessons.

What activities improve clear speaking for beginners?

Use puppet talks and idea webs for planning, then pair shares with star-and-wish feedback. These scaffold enunciation and pace through modeling and repetition. Track progress with simple rubrics, aligning to AC9E1LY01 oral expression standards for measurable gains.

How can active learning help with presentation skills?

Active approaches like role-plays, peer feedback, and mirror practices provide hands-on reps in safe settings. Students self-correct eye contact and clarity via immediate peer input, boosting confidence faster than observation alone. Group rotations ensure all participate, embedding skills through play and reflection.

Why plan before speaking in Year 1?

Planning organizes ideas, reduces ums, and increases fluency per AC9E1LY01. Simple webs or drawings help young learners sequence thoughts. Practice shows peers value prepared talks, motivating effort while connecting to listening skills in AC9E1LY08.