INTERMEDIATE

SPEAKING
MODULE
SEF Grammar and Speaking Class
Organized by SEF Education Department

sefunsoed.org

@sef.unsoed
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CHAPTER 1
EXPERIENCE

You are asked to talk about any event which you still remember. This event does not
have to be a big event, like a project’s success or a visit to a famous place. You can talk about
virtually anything that you think was interesting and you can describe comfortably.
You should say :
a. Who was with you
b. Where it took place
c. What you did
d. Why it is a memorable experience
Example :

My Grandpa’s Funeral in Toraja

Last month my family and I went to Toraja to attend Grandpa’s funeral. It was my first
time to go to such a ceremony. We gathered there with our kin in the ceremony.

Overall, the ceremony was quite elaborate. It took about a week. Several days before the
ceremony was done, grandpa’s body was kept in a series of houses arranged in a circular row
around an open field called tongkonan. His corpse was dressed in a fi ne wearing.

The funeral was performed in two phases. First, we slaughtered the pigs and buffaloes,
and then moved the corpse to face north. In this ceremony we wore black clothes. After that, the
corpse was placed in a sandal wood coffin. Then, it was brought out of the house and placed on
an open platform beneath the granary. Meanwhile, my uncle, my brother, and I prepared the
wooden puppet and a funeral tower called lakian. The next phase of the ceremony was held in
this place. The coffin is borne from the house and placed in the lakian. During the day, there
were also buffalo matches. They were great matches. In the night, we were feasting, chanting,
and dancing.

On the last day, the grandpa’s coffin were lowered from the funeral tower and brought
up to the mountain side family graveyard. It was followed by great shouting and excitement
from the relatives and the guests. Finally, we installed the wooden puppet on a high balcony
where other puppets representing the members of a whole family were already there. The
funeral ceremonies made my family and me tired. However, we were grateful because it ran
smoothly.
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Activity:

A. Answer these following questions:

1. What is the purpose of the text above?

2. What is the meaning of funeral?

3. How long did the ceremony hold?

4. The third paragraph focuses on?

5. What animals are mentioned in the text?

B. After you read and answer the example above, please practice and find your own
experience story!
C. Tell your friend about an important event in your life!
D. Ask your classmates about important events in their lives!
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CHAPTER 2
SPEECH

Speech is an activity of speaking in public or giving speeches to express their opinions,

or to give an idea about something. Speech is usually performed by a person who gives
speeches and statements about things / events that are important and should be discussed. A
good speech can give a positive impression to the people who heard the speech. Ability to
speak a good speech or in public can help you to achieve a good career.

There are four method to deliver speech :

a. Speaking from manuscript

Is a mode of delivery in which the speaker reads from a manuscript. Manuscript
speeches are most common in situations where careful wording is required.
b. Speaking from memory
Consists of reciting a scripted speech from memory and allows the speaker to be free
of notes.
c. Speaking impromptu
This type of presentation may be defined as one for which no immediate preparation
has been made. Self-introduction in group settings are examples of impromptu
speaking.
d. Speaking extemporaneously
This type of speech is appropriate for most speaking situations. You are given time to
prepare, and you refer to brief notes when delivering the speech.

Speech structure

a. Opening
The first thirty seconds of your speech are probably the most important. In that period
of time you must grab the attention of the audience, and engage their interest in what
you have to say in your speech. This can be achieved in several ways.
For example you could raise a thought-provoking question, make an interesting or
controversial statement, recite a relevant quotation or even recount a joke. Once you
have won the attention of the audience, your speech should move seamlessly to the
middle of your speech.
b. Body
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The body of your speech will always be the largest part of your speech. At this point
your audience will have been introduced to you to the subject of your speech (as set out
in your opening) and will hopefully be ready to hear your arguments, your thought or
even your ramblings on the subject of your speech.
The best way to set out the body of your speech is by formulating a series of points that
you would like to raise. In the context of your speech, a “point” could be a statement
about a product, a joke about the bridegroom or a fond memory of the subject of a
eulogy.
The points should be organized so that related points follow one another so that each
point builds upon the previous one. This will also give your speech a more logical
progression, and make the job of the listener a far easier one.
c. Closing
Like your opening, the closing of your speech must contain some of your strongest
material. You should view the closing of your speech as an opportunity. It is an
opportunity to :
● Summarize the main points of your speech
● Provide some further food for thought for your listeners
● Leave your audience with positive memories of your speech
● End with final thought/emotion (e.g. with well wishes to the bride and groom, with
the fond memories of a departed friend, with administration for winners and losers
at an awards ceremony).

Prepare to speak

1. Determining the purpose.

2. Gathering information
3. Deciding on the main idea
4. Understanding the audience
5. Selecting a pattern

Techniques how to deliver your speech.

1. Transcendence
2. Gestures and voice
3. Repetition

How to control your nervousness?

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1. Be familiar with your topic

2. Practice your speech until you are comfortable with it.
3. Practice your speech in front of others.

Activity :

1. Please make a speech based on your chosen topic.

a. Global warming.
b. Mental health.
c. Government
2. Don’t forget to make it structurally, there are opening, body and closing.
3. Record your video when delivering a speech. Then submit it to your instructor!
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CHAPTER 3
PRESENTATION

A presentation is a formal talk to one or more persons that “presents” ideas or

information in a clear, structured way. All presentations have a common objective : they are
given in order to inform, train, persuade or sell. The key factors of any successful presentation
are :

1. The audience.
2. The contents of the presentation itself.
3. The presenter.

The starting point should always be the audience. If you consider their needs and
interests you can get off to a bad start. A presentation is created in the same manner as a report ;
however, it adds one additional element (The Human Element).

A Good Presentation Contains At Least For Elements :

Content : It contains information that people need. But unlike reports, which are read at the
reader’s own pace, presentations must account for how much information the audience can
absorb in one sitting.

Structure : It has a logical beginning, middle, and end. It must be sequenced and paced so that
the audience can understand it.

Packaging : It must be well prepared. A report can be reread and portions skipped over, but
with a presentation, the audience is at the mercy of a presenter.

Human Element : A good presentation will be remembered much more than a good report
because it has a person attached to it. However, you must still analyze the audience’s needs to
determine if they would be better met if a report was sent instead.

Part of A Presentation

1. The Introduction
The introduction is the most important part of your presentation as it sets the
tone for the entire presentation. Its primary purpose is to capture the attention of the
audience, usually within the first 15 seconds.
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There are many styles you can use to get the audience’s attention. Here are just
a few :
a. Ask a question. (This is probably the easiest but least creative choice)
b. Share a fascinating fact or startling statistic.
c. Quote someone.
d. Share a personal story. (This is often good for speeches)
e. Show a completed product.
f. Show an unusual object.
g. State a problem.
h. Wear a mask or costume.
i. Sing, dance, or do a skit. (Be sure it doesn’t last too long and don’t be silly)
j. Enter in an unusual way such as popping up from behind the table.
k. Demonstrate an action without speaking.

After this attention-getter, you need to introduce yourself, usually just with your
name and your group. You may introduce each other or each of you can each introduce
yourself.

Finally, you need to state what your presentation will be about including the
major point you will cover. In the same case you might want to include why you
selected this topic or what you hope the audience will learn. And it’s always nice if
something in your introduction relates to your title. When your introduction is finished,
you need to make a smooth transition into the body of your talk.

2. The body
The body is the main part of your presentation. This is where you explain your
topic and where all your information is presented. The organization of the body is
critical because the audience needs to be able to follow what you are saying and/or
doing.
A demonstration is the easiest to organize because you can simply go through
the steps in order. The audience must know what is being done, how it’s being done,
and why it’s being done.
Arrange your points in a logical order and then give information to support each
point. Examples of ways to organize points are to number them (1,2,3….); put them in
a time frame (past, present, future); use narration (tell a story from beginning to end);
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or present them as a problem, describe its effect, then suggest ways to solve the
problem).
All information you present in the body of your presentation must be accurate
and understandable. You need to offer enough information to cover your topic
thoroughly while eliminating any unnecessary information.
3. The conclusion
Your conclusion should be short and concise. It should summarize or highlight
the main points you made or emphasize what the audience should have learned. Do not
restate everything you said in the body and never introduce new information at this
time.
After your conclusion, you need to state your sources of information. They
could include books, magazine articles, or interviews with people. If you’ve used
material from the internet, don’t state entire websites. Just give key search words.
Last, you need to ask for questions. Be sure that you repeat each question before
you give an answer. Not only does this ensure everyone hears the question, but it gives
you the chance to make sure you understood the question.
If you get a question you can’t answer, simply say you don’t know. Never make
up an answer or bluff. If possible, provide a resource from which the answer could be
found. It isn’t practical to offer to look it up and get back to the person. When there are
no more questions a simple “thank you” to finish is enough.

Activity

Please make a group (one group consists about 3-4 persons) to discuss something (the topic is
up to you) and then present it for no more than 10 minutes.
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CHAPTER 4
DISCUSSION

Asking questions and joining in discussions are important skills for university study. In many
subjects, you will receive marks for tutorial participation and part of this mark reflects how
active you have been in tutorial discussions.

Strategies for improving discussion skills for tutorials and seminars

If you find it difficult to speak or ask questions in tutorials and seminars, try the following
strategies.

a. Observe
Attend as many seminars and tutorials as possible and notice what other students do. Ask
yourself:

● How do other students enter into the discussion?

● How do they ask questions?
● How do they disagree with or support the topic?
● How do other students make critical comments?
● What special phrases do they use to show politeness even when they are voicing
disagreement?
● How do they signal to ask a question or make a point?

b. Learn to listen
Listening is an essential skill and an important element of any discussion. Effective
listeners don't just hear what is being said, they think about it and actively process it.

● Be an active listener and don't let your attention drift. Stay attentive and focus on what
is being said.
● Identify the main ideas being discussed.
● Evaluate what is being said. Think about how it relates to the main idea/ theme of the
tutorial discussion.
● Listen with an open mind and be receptive to new ideas and points of view. Think about
how they fit in with what you have already learnt.
● Test your understanding. Mentally paraphrase what other speakers say.
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● Ask yourself questions as you listen. Take notes during class about things to which you
could respond.

c. Prepare
You can't contribute to a discussion unless you are well-prepared. Attend lectures and
make sure you complete any assigned readings or tutorial assignments. If you don't
understand the material or don't feel confident about your ideas, speak to your tutor or
lecturer outside of class.
d. Practise
Practise discussing course topics and materials outside class. Start in an informal setting
with another student or with a small group.
Begin by asking questions of fellow students. Ask them about:

● the course material

● their opinions
● information or advice about the course

Practice listening and responding to what they say. Try out any discipline-specific
vocabulary or concepts.

Becoming accustomed to expressing your views outside class will help you develop skills
you can take into the more formal environment of a tutorial group.

e. Participate
If you find it difficult to participate in tutorial discussion, set yourself goals and aim to
increase your contribution each week. An easy way to participate is to add to the existing
discussion. Start by making small contributions:

● Agree with what someone has said or;

● Ask them to expand on their point (ask for an example or for more information)
● Prepare a question to ask beforehand.

You can then work up to:

● Answering a question put to the group

● Providing an example for a point under discussion
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● Disagreeing with a point.

Tutorial participation: Voicing an opinion and arguing a point effectively

What is an argument?

To 'argue' in an academic context is to put forward an opinion through the process of reasoning,
supported by evidence. An argument attempts to persuade through rational and critical
judgement. In academic writing an argument is sometimes called a claim or a thesis statement,
which is also supported with evidence.

How do we argue ?

The everyday meaning of the term argument suggests a fight: an aggressive conflict or
confrontation between adversaries, where one tries to dominate the other in order to 'win'. At
university this kind of arguing is not appropriate. The aim of academic argument is to explore
a question, a proposition or an area of knowledge and achieve reasoned mutual understanding.
It is not important who 'wins'—what matters most is the quality of the argument itself. When
you engage in academic argument in your tutorial discussions, you are developing your ideas,
advancing and clarifying your knowledge and learning to think critically.

Leading a discussion

You may be in a seminar group that requires you to lead a group discussion, or lead a discussion
after an oral presentation. You can lead a discussion by:

● introducing yourself and stating the purpose of the discussion

● asking questions to stimulate the discussion
● making sure no one dominates the discussion by inviting and encouraging contributions
from all students
● ensuring only one member of the group speaks at a time
● ensuring the discussion remains relevant and doesn't drift off topic
● summarising or rephrasing a speaker's point
● summarising the discussion

Group discussions
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Chairing a group discussion

When chairing a discussion group you must communicate in a positive way to assist the
speakers in accomplishing their objective. There are at least four leadership skills you can use
to influence other people positively and help your group achieve its purpose. These skills
include:

● introducing the topic and purpose of the discussion

● introducing yourself and the other speakers
● making sure all members have approximately the same time to speak
● thanking group members for their contribution
● being objective in summarizing the group’s discussion and achievements.

Activity :
Please make a group (one group consist about 3-4 persons) to make a discussion about
something (the topic is up to you) and then present the result along with the arguments from
your discussion.
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CHAPTER 5

JOB INTERVIEW

A job interview is a meeting organized by a recruiter used to evaluate a potential employee

for prospective employment at a company. Most job interviews will feature questions about
a candidate’s work history, personality, work style, and other factors relevant to the job. The
following some common things in job interview are:

A. The Essential Part & Pieces to Impressing Your Future Employer

1. Know the Employer

 Research the company thoroughy.

 Know their market, products, and goals.

 Memorize useful facts.

 Understand how they see themselves.

2. Your Resume

 Type your resume (never hand-write it).

 Check to make sure your spelling and grammar are free of errors.

 Tailor your resume to the needs of the organization to which you are applying.

 Keep it concise and to the point. It’s a resume, not a biography.

3. The Job Description

If a job decription is available for the position you are interviewing for, think about
how your experience and skills fit with each line. Consider examples and evidence to
support your ability to excel at this job.

4. Practice Perfection

 Consider the most often asked interview questions. Be prepared to answer them.

 Give concise, complete answers.

 Maintain eye contact.

 Don’t speak too slow or too fast. Think about how you will answer questions
about salary expectations.
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5. Look sharp, Be sharp!

 Suit up! A prefessional appearance is very important.

 Avoid wearing perfume, after-shave, or scented lotion. Don’t let scents distract
from what you have to say (Do remember your deodorant).

 Go to bed early the night before interview. Showing up groggy leaves a bad
impression.

 Arrive at least 15-20 minutes before your scheduled interview time.

6. Before you Walk

 Prepare 3 thought provoking questions.

 Ask questions that reflect interest in the company’s future.

 Ask questions that project enthusiasm.

 Avoid asking anything that could be answered with a simple internet search.

B. Common Questions and How to Answer it

1. Can you tell me about yourself?

Often a summary of your personality, skills, experience, and work history. Don’t
mention your knitting hobby or your pet iguana. This are the following phrases to
answer that question:

 My name is...

 I was born and raised in...

 I live in...

 I attended the University of...

 I’ve just graduated from...

 I’ve worked for 5 years as...

 I have worked for various firms including...

2. Can you tell me about your profile

This question seems the same as the previous one, but in this question you can tell
about your job experience and how you deal with it. Make the interviewer interested
in your explanation. This are the following phrases to answer that question:
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 I perform well under pressure.

 I developed some important skills.

 I’m used to working in busy environment.

 I have very good people skills.

 I’m very organized person.

 I manage my time well by planning out...

 I’m working at dealing with change.

3. What are your strength?

Tell the interviewer about your strengths, it will be better if your strengths are
connected to the field of work you want to take. This are the following phrases to
answer that question:

 I’ve always been a great team player.

 I am an excellent communicator.

 I am a trouble shooter.

 I’m good at multitasking.

 I’m good at resolving problem situations.

 I’m self motivated.

 I have very good organizational and time management skills.

4. Why do you want to work here?

Don’t answer with: Because I really need a job and you were hiring. Utilize what you
know about the company, or make a connection between the job description and your
abilities. This are the following phrases to answer that question:

 I want to take one more responsibility.

 Because it is in line with my qualifications.

 I want to further my career in accounting.

 I am impressed by the quality of your product/services.

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5. Why should we hire you?

This is one of the most important questions that you will be asked, and you need to
make sure that you have a very good answer. For example, you can say “I’m a hard
worker with a proven track record.” Tell the interviewer about your achievement.

6. Why did you leave your last job?

This is actually more of a test than a question. The interviewer wants to see what
pushes your buttons. For this question you can answer with:

 I leave my previous job in order to enhance my skill set.

 I leave my previous job because I am looking for better opportunities.

7. What are your goals for the future?

Instead of telling the interviewer that you would like to be on a beach in Bali, try
offering information about your professional goals. For example:

“My long term goals involve growing with this company. Where I can continue to
learn, take on additional responsibilities, and contribute as much value as I can.”

C. Common Interview Strategies

1. Be positive. Avoid any negative answers.

2. Show your commitment.

3. Answer directly. Prepare yourself before go for an interview to ensure your answers
are straight and to the point.

Activity:

1. Please answer the question about “Common question and How to answer it.” Answer and
write it by yourself.

2. After you have answered the questions about you, please interview a partner. When you
have finished the oral practice, write a short paragraph about his/her answers on the
interview.