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Lesson 215 of 240

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A short presentation in English

Ana is at the studio downtown. She has a few minutes to present the library project to Marcus.

He wants the plan in plain words. He sits still until she is done.

You will open the talk, name three points, and close.

First comes the problem. Second is the plan. Finally, you say what you need. Then you take questions.

I'd like is the polite start. Put the stress on like.

By the end of this lesson

Open a short talk, give three points, and close.

  • Today I'd like to share three things.I will talk about three points today.
  • First, here's the problem we're solving.Point one is the problem we want to fix.
  • Second, here's what we're proposing.Point two is our plan.
  • Finally, here's what we need from you.Point three is the help or decision we need.
  • That's my presentation.I have finished the talk.
  • I'm happy to take questions.You can ask me things now.

Scene — the studio is quiet

The studio is quiet. Rolled drawings sit on the long desk. Ana stands with a blank whiteboard behind her.

Marcus sits with his arms folded. He waits for three short points, not a long story.

The window looks out on the street. Nobody else is in the room yet.

Ana stands by a blank whiteboard while Marcus waits beside the long desk with his arms folded.

Learn — open, three points, close

Six lines open a short talk, name three points, and close it.

You start with I'd like, then First, Second, and Finally.

  1. Ana opens both hands as she begins her short presentation, while Marcus listens from his chair.

    Today I'd like to share three things.

    I will talk about three points today.

    When to use it: Say this to open a short talk with three points.

    I'd like is one piece, a polite way to start.

    Say it: Put the stress on like, not on I'd.

  2. Ana raises one hand toward the empty whiteboard as she introduces the first point.

    First, here's the problem we're solving.

    Point one is the problem we want to fix.

    When to use it: Use this for point one, the problem you want to fix.

    We're solving uses the -ing form for work still in progress.

  3. Ana gestures toward the rolled drawings on the desk while presenting the plan to Marcus.

    Second, here's what we're proposing.

    Point two is our plan.

    When to use it: Use this for point two, your plan.

    Second follows First and keeps the same here's shape.

  4. Ana turns toward Marcus with open palms as she asks for the needed help and decision.

    Finally, here's what we need from you.

    Point three is the help or decision we need.

    When to use it: Use this for the last point, the help you need.

    Finally shows this is the last of the three points.

  5. After completing her points, Ana lowers her hands while Marcus remains seated with his arms folded.

    That's my presentation.

    I have finished the talk.

    When to use it: Say this when you have finished the talk.

    That's is a contraction, so learn it as one piece.

  6. Ana warmly invites questions while Marcus remains outside the frame.

    I'm happy to take questions.

    You can ask me things now.

    When to use it: Say this after you close, so people can ask.

    I'm is a contraction, so learn it as one piece.

Story — marcus waits

Watch Ana present the library renovation. Marcus stays still until she closes.

The highlighted words are the lines you just learned.

  1. Ana stands. The whiteboard is blank. Marcus has not moved.
  2. AnaToday I'd like to share three things.I will talk about three points today.
  3. Marcus keeps his arms folded. He does not speak.
  4. AnaIt's the library renovation. I'll keep this short.She names the project and says the talk will be short.
  5. AnaFirst, here's the problem we're solving.Point one is the problem we want to fix.
  6. AnaThe reading room is too dark, and the desks are too small.The room has poor light and the desks are too small.
  7. AnaPeople wait for a seat after work, you know.After work, people cannot find a seat.
  8. AnaSecond, here's what we're proposing.Point two is our plan.
  9. AnaWider desks, better light, and a clear path to the door.The plan is bigger desks, more light, and an easy path.
  10. AnaWe can do it in three months, I mean if we start soon.The work can take three months if they begin soon.
  11. Marcus still does not move. His drawings stay rolled.
  12. AnaFinally, here's what we need from you.Point three is the help or decision we need.
  13. AnaA yes on the plan, and a date for the first site visit.She needs a yes and a day to visit the site.
  14. AnaThat's my presentation.I have finished the talk.
  15. AnaI'm happy to take questions.You can ask me things now.
  16. Marcus unfolds his arms. He has one question.
  17. MarcusCan you explain this part? The site visit.Please make the site visit clear.
  18. AnaWe'll measure the rooms and check the layout. We need an hour on site to get accurate numbers.We will measure the rooms and look at the layout. We need one hour there for true numbers.
  19. MarcusThat sounds good.You like their idea or plan.

Practice — first, second, finally

Ten short exercises wait here. You will listen, pick, build, fill a gap, and swap a word.

They stay on the talk, so you keep the three point shape.

0 of 10 done

  1. What did you hear?

  2. What does it mean?

    That's my presentation.

  3. What do you say?

    You opened the talk. Now start point one.

  4. Fill the gap

    Point two is our plan.

    ____, here's what we're proposing.

  5. Build the line

    You can ask me things now.

    .

    Tap the words in order.

  6. Swap the word

    This is your last point. Ask for the help you need.

    ____, here's what we need from you.

  7. Pick the reply

    Ana says:

    That's my presentation. I'm happy to take questions.

    She has finished the talk, and you can ask now.

    And you reply with:

  8. Match the pairs

    English

    First, here's the problem we're solving.Drop the Simple English here
    Second, here's what we're proposing.Drop the Simple English here
    Finally, here's what we need from you.Drop the Simple English here

    Simple English

    Drag a Simple English line onto its English, or tap one and then the other.

  9. Put the chat in order

    1. AnaWhat comes first?
    2. Marcus…
    3. Ana…
    4. Marcus…

    Tap the line that comes next, or drag it into the chat.

  10. True or false?

    This line means you like their idea or plan.

Say it — your three minutes

Now you're Ana in the studio. When it's your turn, tap the microphone and speak the line.

Tap play first if you want to hear the line. Your recording stays on your device.

  1. Ana (you)Name the last point. Say what you need from Marcus.

    Finally, here's what we need from you.

    Point three is the help or decision we need.

0 of 4 said

Recap — what you can say now

EnglishSimple English
Today I'd like to share three things.I will talk about three points today.
First, here's the problem we're solving.Point one is the problem we want to fix.
Second, here's what we're proposing.Point two is our plan.
Finally, here's what we need from you.Point three is the help or decision we need.
That's my presentation.I have finished the talk.
I'm happy to take questions.You can ask me things now.
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