Help for your Annual Projects

Here are some general guidelines and a list of common problems. We hope they will help you prepare your annual project presentations in English.

You should start by asking yourself two questions:

• 1. Will the subject and aim of our project be clear to someone who has never heard about it before?

  2. Would someone who is not a French speaker be able to follow my presentation easily?

The following list of common problems and points to work on is meant to help you answer "yes" to these to questions.

A note on "first language interference"

Many of the difficulties that students encounter when they give presentations in English are related to a phenomenon called "first language interference". First language interference means incorrectly using elements borrowed from your first language (French) in the language you are learning (English). First language interference is extremely common. We do not expect you to completely eliminate all first language interference. We just want you to work on the elements

• • • • • that are predictable

        • that interfere with communication

Style

Do not try to use the same style that you use in French. You level in English is not the same as your level in French. Therefore, you cannot expect to master the same style in English. We just want to understand you easily; we do not expect you to be elegant.

This means that we want you to

• • • • Try too use language that is simple, clear & engaging.

      • Avoid complex structures or a style that is too "rédigé"

      • Use the SVO (subject-verb-object) structure whenever possible.

      • Use direct voice whenever possible (we, I...).

      • Avoid literal translations of French formulas.

      • Use simple link words (and, but, also, because, since, so that, if, when, until, before, after that, as soon as, next).

Vocabulary

Vocabulary problems can make communication extremely difficult. Avoid using words and expressions taken directly from French, unless you are certain they have the same meaning in English. Do not hesitate to check the meanings of the words that you use in your presentation. Avoid using online translators. 

• • • • Examples of errors : autonomy project, realize (a project), licence (university diploma), approbation, planning, questionary, meet (problems), experience (specific scientific study), pratical works, science of alive, doors open day, sympathic

      • Presentation vocabulary to help you structure your talk:

        • • Introductions

            • • Hello. We're going to describe...

          • Sequencers

            • • First/ firstly (in a first time)

              • Then/ next/ second, after that...

              • Finally (at last)/ I'll finish with...

          • Slides

            • • This slide shows...

              • As you can see here...

              • What you see here is...

              • Now, I'll show you...

          • Conclusions

            • • To conclude, I'd like to...

              • Thank you for your attention.

              • Do you have any questions?

Grammar

The following are common sources of problems:

• • • • Tenses: Avoid using the present tense for everything. When you speak English, use a past tense to talk about the past, a present tense to talk about the present and a future form to talk about the future. When you are describing the past, if you are not sure wheter to use the present perfect or the preterit, use the preterit .

      • Syntax (the order of words in your sentences)

      • Negative forms

      • Adjectives & compound nouns (order)

      • Pronouns

      • Modals : obligation, conditionals

Ex: Must, have to, need to, 'if you had to do the project over again, what would you do differently?'

• • • • Reported interactions, or suggestions

      • Comparison

      • Collocations (what words are used together)

Ex: to be responsible for (You can check using Google.)

Pronunciation

We do not expect perfect pronunciation. We just want to be able to understand you easily. You can check the pronunciation of words by using the Internet (http://www.merriam-webster.com/, http://www.howjsay.com/ ). You can have someone else listen to you, or you can record yourself using "Audacity" and listen to yourself. (You can also check to see if your cell phone has a recording option.) Here is a list of elements you should work on:

• • • • Speed & articulation

      • Varied intonation

      • Word stress

      • Pronunciation of word endings: -s, -ed

      • Pronunciation of vowels. Pay particular attention to the difference between lon and short vowels

Ex: sit/site

• • • • Pronunciation of some consonants: ch, h, qu, th, r

Extra-linguistic skills

• • • • Eye contact with the audience: do not read your notes and/or stare at the screen. Use note cards if you need to.

      • Dynamic, professional presence.

      • Create simple slides with minimal text. (Your slides should not give your presentation for you.)

      • Interact with your slides.

Spelling

Spelling errors are particularly noticeable on PPoint slides and they suggest lack of preparation. Most word processors have integrated spellcheckers. You can also find online versions.