SESSON 4: GETTING PRONUNCIATIONS RIGHT - PART II

1. Getting Pronunciations /æ/ and /ei/ Right:

For example:

/æ/: BACK, BALANCE, CASH, FAX, FACT, LAND, HAND, HAT, NATURAL, NATIONAL, etc.

/ei/: DATA, NATION, NATURE, PRESENTATION, etc.

2. Getting Pronunciations /i/ and /i:/ Right:

For example:

/i/ # /i:/

IT # EAT
ITCH # EACH
BIT # BEAT
BITCH # BEACH
LIVE # LEAVE
HIT # HEAT
RID # READ
RICH # REACH
RID # READ
SPIT # SPEAK
...
Etc.


3. How To Make Good Presentations:

Video 1:



Many people have always struggled with presentations, especially when they don't have experience or lack confidence.

And many live with fear of the day when they must make that speech.
Essentially, a presentation is a form of communication between the speaker and the audience.

That is to say (that) a presentation can be a small introduction or large-scale conference.

Making a good presentation requires audience to learn more about you and the topic in discussion.

Usually, people tend to think that possessing professional presentation skills require a long and tedious learning process.

Actually, as long as you master the key points you can be a good presenter.

First of all, before you do an oral presentation you should be well-prepared.

You should ask yourself several key questions:

Who are you talking to?
Why are you talking to them?
How long have you got?
What story are you going to tell?

Meanwhile, you can make some visual aids to make presentation more clear and vivid such as slide shows.

If you do powerpoint presentation, you should avoid reading exactly what's on the screen.

You should use note cards and the information on the screen shoud be summarized on what you're trying to say.

Don't count on audience to remember any details from one slide to another.

If you need to emphasize the points, restep the information second time.

If you have to present different aspects or ideas, try to build unified threads.

The talk should be in sequential in nature.

When you have general idea about your presentation outline, you can make use some skills joining your presentation.

The five basic elements:

Number one is eye contact that builds rapport with your audience.

Two should be voice projection so that people can clearly hear you and portray you that you believe what you're talking about.

Number three is voice intonation or inflection to keep people interested, so it's not really a monotone voice.

Number four is clarity of message: how clearly you're getting across your the points.

Number five is enthusiasm: the passion you have of how much you enjoy what you're talking about.

The most important thing in your presentation is to allow your audience to receive information in a simple and easy to understand manner.

This'll allow you to make a good presentation that will be remembered for your audience.

If you want to further improve presentation skills, pay attention to being a pointer.

First one is this every person carries an atmosphere and the atmosphere they carry come from the thought they think and the attitude in life and the positive or negative view of life.

So if you're someone who does a lot of presentations and you want to have impact on your audience,then live a good life.

You can't be a liar everyday and get up there and expect people to believe you. It just doesn't come across.

The second really important thing is learn how to read your audience.
Sometimes, the audience is very cold.

Sometimes, they are very warm.

If they're cold, there's usually reason why.

Maybe the struggle's going on.

Maybe someone drops something.

Maybe the speaker before you is incredibly boring.
Whatever it is.

If you understand what it feels like sitting in the audience and you give them a certain kind of respect and empathy, then you understand what's going through you can win them back and you can get them to follow you.

So reading your audience is a great thing.

Before you make a presentation, take a deep breath, don't be nervous and relax.

Only when you're with confidence, can your audience concentrate on your presentation.

Making an effective presentation is a piece of cake as long as you keep practicing.

After all, practice makes perfect.




Video 2:


Hello and welcome to ESLLEARNINGPOD.COM.

My name is Paul Marks. And this podcast is about effective presentation openings.

Now, before you ever go into presentation, you should always make sure you've planned and prepared well.

Never leave anything to chance.

If you have not planned well and you don't know how to start off your presentation,you'll find you're setting yourself out for failure.

However, if you plan and you know how you're going to start, there's a good chance your presentation will be successful.

So the first lession is make sure you have prepared.

Now, there are 5 steps we can follow in order to make a formal opening to our presentation:

The first step, step 1: Greet the Audience

Here I've made an example for you (that) you can follow:

"Good morning everyone.

As you know, my name's Paul Marks and I'm speaking to you today as a trainer from ESLLEARNINGPOD.COM.

Thank you very much for giving me the opportunity to present to you today, I hope that you find this presentation interesting / helpful / useful.

Okay. Let's get started".

Now, before we move on to step 2, I just want you to know that three words at the bottom "interesting / helpful / useful" should only be used once or only one of them should be used.

You can choose interesting or helpful or useful but do not use all three.

Okay. Let's move on step number 2.

Step number 2: State the Topic

Tell your audience what you're going to be presenting about.

Okay. I have an example here to help you with that.

Example number 1:

"Today I'd like to present a sales figure to you".

Numver 2:

"What I'd like to do this morning is talk to you about the survey we conducted".

And example number 3:

"The subject of my presentation is effective openings".

Okay. You can use any one of these...ah..phrases to state your topic.

All you have to do is change the end part to suit you. Let's move on step number 3.

Step number 3: Give the Outline to Your Audience

Make sure they know what'll be happening during your presentation.

Okay. I've made an example for you.

"There are three main parts to my presentation.

To begin with, I shall introduce the sales figures.

Following that, I shall analyze the figures.

But last but not least, I'll look at the action plan for improving the figures for next year".

The second example:

"The subject will be looked at under the following headings: firstly, introduction of the sales figures.

Secondly, analysis of the sales figures. And finally, an action plan for next year."

Step number 4: Always Make Sure You Tell Your Audience How Long Your Presentation Will Last

Example number 1: "This will be brief. It only lasts 50 minutes".

Example number 2: "I will only take 30 minutes of your time."

And example number 3: "The presentation will take about two hours but there'll be a 20 minute break in the middle".

And step 5, the last step in this podcast: Tell Your Audience When You'll Take Questions or When You Can Answer Questions.

My advice is to leave the question time to the end of the presentation so that you know you have enough time to finish your presentation.

However, here are four different ways that you can tell your audience when they can expect answering their questions.

There will time at the end for questions and comments.

"Please save any questions for the end of the talk".

"If you have any questions, please feel free to interrupt".

"Please feel free to ask questions as we go along".

Okay. So there are five steps for a formal openings to a presentation.I hope you enjoy this podcast.

The next podcast will be about Advanced Opening Techniques.

Please look at our website for all the podcasts and presentation series.

Thanks for listening and I hope I'll be helpul.

And please don't forget to visit ESLLEARNINGPOD.COM.

Bye bye.



4. Video's for Entertainment:

SESSION 3: GETTING PRONUNCIATION RIGHT - PART I

Tonight, we're going to learn how to pronounce the "L" sound in English properly. This is one of the most confusing pronunciations for "English as Second Language (ESL)" people.

There are two types of "L" sound:

1. Tongue-UP "L" Sound:

For example:

TELL, BELL, SHELL, WELL, CALL, FALL, TALL, BALL, WILL, STILL, etc.


2. Tongue-DOWN "L" Sound:

Example:

LIGHT, LOW, LIKE, LAND, LISTEN, LEND, LAPTOP, LEADER, etc.

SONGS FOR ENTERTAINING AND REFRESHMENT:



Lyrics: YOU'RE THE VOICE by John Farnham

We have the chance, to turn the pages over
We can write what we want to write
We gotta make ends meet, before we get much older

We're all someone's daughter
We're all someone's son
How long can we look at each other
Down the barrel of a gun?

You're the voice, try and understand it
Make a noise and make it clear

Oh-wo-wo-wo, oh-wo-wo-wo
We're not gonna sit in silence
We're not gonna live with fear
Oh-wo-wo-wo, oh-wo-wo-wo

This time, we know we all can stand together
With the power to be powerful
Believing, we can make it better

We're all someone's daughter
We're all someone's son
How long can we look at each other
Down the barrel of a gun?

Lana Krost (half-Viet half-Australian): Australian Idol 2007's Top 12

Funny Australian Idol 2008:


Funny American Idol 2008:

LIST OF PARTICIPANT NAMES

Nhat: Norman
Tu: Johnny
Thien: Tommy
Hai: Hai
Binh: Kelly
Mai: Sarah
Diep: Jasmine
T.Anh: Andy

SESSION 2: IMPORTANCE OF GETTING PRONUNCIATION RIGHT IN SPOKEN ENGLISH

Prior to introducing you techniques and tools in helping you get pronunciation right in spoken English, I'd like each of you to listen and write down all the words said in the speeches and conversations in the following videos:

1. Video 1: How To Give Good Oral Presentations



Making presentations to your company whether to your team, department or a larger group is an important way to get known in the business... (each of you is required to fill in the rest)

I used to get increditably nervous when I was asked to present.
The more I practiced the easier I got.
I plan everything and know my facts inside and out.
Now I want my boss to come through when we need a great presentation.
Hi Everybody.
I'm pleased to report that my team has completed all of the new product focus group throughout our region...(applauded)
So putting together summary of presentation for today, for more detailed report of my team's samples, I sent it out to everyone last week.
Hopefully, I've got it or had a chance to review it. Is there anyone who needs a copy or who didn't get the materials?
That's great. Then I can start it.
Based on the agenda that's sent in (and) sent out, I'll spend 30 minutes giving you an update on some of the key information that we'd learnt, then I'll provide you an overview of our next steps and our timeline.
Is that work(ing) for everyone?
OK. The information is divided into 3 parts:
First, we'll discuss the key results that set the firm's products and goals. You'll be able to see every summary points and data charts in this presentation. As I mentioned before, the more detailed information is in the report I sent last week.
Before I wrap up the last section of the focus group's results, what questions or comments about what've covered so far do you have?
Uhm...I have a question.
Yes, Chris.
Yes, thanks. That answers my question.
It certainly makes it clear why we need a focus group...(laugh)
At this point, I wrap up with our next steps.

2. Video 2: Human Resources Managers




Human resource managers are in the business of making positive connections... (each of you is required to fill in the rest)

Human resource managers are in the business of making positive connections.

They are employed by companies or government agencies to match people to jobs.

"Hi Vianna, how are you? Good to see you. Come on in and take a seat, please."

That means these managers work both to attract qualified job candidates and to keep them satisfied once they're hired.

So they develope recruiting and training programs, personnel policies; and in larger companies, they might oversee hiring and firing in several departments.
A career in human resources begins with college with the emphasis on business, behavioral sciences such as psychology, communications or liberal arts.

"Lee, Hi. How are you?. Thanks, Jim. Good to see you."

To become a manager, you might work your way up through human resources department. There could be a fair amount of travel involved, especially if you're involved in recruiting on campuses or going to conferences.

Ultimately though, this is a comfortable office space career with fairly predictable 9-to-5 hours and possibilities with good benefits.

You must be able to speak and write effectively, and be sensitive to other people's respectives and needs.

A good human resources manager plays a vital role in a morale and success of a large organization.

3. Video 3: Software Engineer / Developer




Now that so many of us have computers, we tend to take them for granted... (each of you is required to fill in the rest)

We turn them on and expect them to do work perfectly.But without computer softwar engineers, we'll be staring at empty screens.

Most of these engineers are driven by an eager desire in what makes the box come to life, and ideas of expanding the machine rich.

Basically, software is to computer what programs are to television.

Software is the content that you look at and interact with on the computer.

With training at career school, college or manufacture group,these engineers analyze and solve programming problems; and create a framework for code writers who write the tiny steps that make up the program.

They may have to work in evenings or weekends to meet deadlines or solve unexpected technical problems.

One of the challenges for computer software engineers is to constantly update their awareness and skills.

It's essential to have a strong grasp of mathematics and an ability to follow very detailed instructions.

Software engineers also need old fashioned communication skills so that they can analyze and meet the need of today's computer users as well as the users of tommorrow.


KEY LEARNING:

PRONUNCIATION OF "R" SOUND:

For example:

Review, Report, Read, etc.
Advertisement, External, Internal, etc
Developer, Learner, Writer, Coder, Visitor, Vendor, etc.


PRONUNCIATION OF "TH" SOUND:

For example:

Thanks, The, Think, Thunder, etc.

Strength, With, etc.

PRONUNCIATION OF "SH" SOUND:

For example:

She, Shall, Should, Show, etc.

Establishment, Accomplishment, etc.

English, Finish, British, etc.


SONG:

A MISTAKE IN THE PLACEMENT TEST!

Hi Participants,

Regarding the placement test, Nhat (Mr. Norman) raised the incorrect answer to question (f) in section I last Monday as follows:

(a) He's used to getting up early and (b) He's used to get up early

Which answer is correct? Nhat is right to pick up answer (a). I made a mistake in picking up the answer (b). The explanation is that:

He's used to getting up early = He is accustomed to get up early.
He used to get up early = He did get up early in the past on regular basis.

Thanks Nhat for active participation in the learning process. I really appreciate for that.

Cheers,
Timothy Truong

SESSION 1: INTRODUCTION

1. Getting to know better: Trainer's and trainees' self-introductions.

2. What you expect to achieve upon completion of this workshop:

• Proper pronunication in English.
• How to write effective emails.
• How to write effective memorandums (Memo).

3. Training Program:

4. Resources:

• http://vdict.com/
• http://tratu.baamboo.com/dict/en_vn/Accent
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ag4qoNzEH4w
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tna_ggVrTiY
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOrnifRtWxI&feature=related
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClZmEFqMgWk&feature=related
• http://www.sozoexchange.com/

5. Assigning popular English given names:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Most_popular_given_names

6. Song: Take A Chance On Me - by ABBA

Song's lyrics:

http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/abba/takeachanceonme.html

BUSINESS ENGLISH TRAINING PROGRAM FOR PERSONNEL AT B2BE GSS VIETNAM

Hi Participants,

Thank you for your time and participation in the placement test on last Friday.

I have a good news for all of you. Based on the written and oral tests, I think that you all have a good foundation of English skills, with which you can build on to the next level for corporate English communication skills.

English skills both in spoken and written are extremely important for success in today's globalized workplaces. The fact is that some of you've already been communicating with your clients in Malaysia, Australia and Europe and possibly, other regions of the world in the future.

I already designed the training program below for your group with an emphasis on speaking proper English as well as understanding basic communications at workplace. Through my experience of training English for companies here in Ho Chi Minh City, I realized that most participants had difficulty of speaking English with PROPER PRONUNICATION. For this very reason, the training program will put more hours to get you in the right direction of speaking English with PROPER PRONUNCIATION, even better you will be able to check your pronunciation by looking into the free resources on the internet.

Session 1: Introduction
Session 2: Importance of Proper Pronunciation in Spoken English
Session 3: Practice of Speaking English with Proper Pronunciation - Part I
Session 4: Practice of Speaking English with Proper Pronunciation - Part II
Session 5: Practice of Speaking English with Proper Pronunciation - Part III
Session 6: Practice of Speaking English with Proper Pronunciation - Part IV
Session 7: Practice of Speaking English with Proper Pronunciation - Part V
Session 8: Practice of Speaking English with Proper Pronunciation - Part VI
Session 9: Practice of Speaking English with Proper Pronunciation - Part VII
Session 10: Practice of Speaking English with Proper Pronunciation - Part VIII
Session 11: Importance of Listening and Comprehension Skills at Worplace
Session 12: Practice of Listening and Comprehension Skills at Workplace - Part I
Session 13: Practice of Listening and Comprehension Skills at Workplace - Part II
Session 14: Practice of Listening and Comprehension Skills at Workplace - Part III
Session 15: Practice of Listening and Comprehension Skills at Workplace - Part IV
Session 16: Practice of Listening and Comprehension Skills at Workplace - Part V
Session 17: Practice of Listening and Comprehension Skills at Workplace - Part VI
Session 18: Practice of Listening and Comprehension Skills at Workplace - Part VII
Session 19: Practice of Listening and Comprehension Skills at Workplace - Part VIII
Session 20: Emails: One of Essential Tools for Today's Business Communications
Session 21: Practice of Writing Emails - Part I: Formal Emails
Session 22: Practice of Writing Emails - Part II: Formal Emails
Session 23: Practice of Writing Emails - Part III: Informal Emails
Session 24: Practice of Writing Emails - Part IV: Informal Emails
Session 25: Mememorandum (Memo): Internal Communications
Session 26: Practice of Writing Memo - Part I
Session 27: Practice of Writing Memo - Part II
Session 28: Practice of Writing Memo - Part III
Session 29: Practice of Writing Memo - Part IV
Session 30: Course-End Test

I'll do my best to help you achieve your next level of English skills for business environment and I look forward to seeing you all shortly.

Warm Regards,
Truong Vinh Tin (Timothy)