Speech-Related Activity: 1-Minute Speeches
Speech-Related Activity: 1-minute Speeches
Aims: Practice quick analytical thinking, expression of opinions Level: This works best with more advanced students, and in smaller groups. Materials: Pre-made topic slips, a clock or watch for keeping time. Roles: Each speech requires a speaker and a timekeeper. Procedure:
The student to perform the speech randomly selects a faced-down strip of paper containing a topic. The student has a short period of time (3 – 5 seconds) to turn the strip over and read it. The time-keeper shouts: “Start” The speaker must begin speaking about the subject. The speaker can say anything he or she wants to about the subject, so long as it is related to the subject. The speaker must attempt to continually speak without long pauses until: After 1-minute, the time-keeper shouts: “STOP!” Variations:
A: The speaker may begin the speech by saying what the topic is: e.g. “My subject is ‘Supermarkets’” B: The speaker does not specify the topic he or she is speaking about. (However he or she can still say the word during the speech). At the end of the speech, the audience must guess what the subject was C: The speaker may choose which variation (A or B) will be used. D: In terms of running the activity, there are a variety of options. For one, you can break the class into groups of 5 or 6, and they can perform the activity in small groups. Or, you can make this an ongoing activity: At the start of each class, you can have 3 or 4 students perform their speech in front of the entire class. You can run this activity this way for several days until everyone has performed.
Sample Topic Slips:
The topics can be absolutely anything. Preferably 1 or 2 words only. They can range from very specific to very general: SUV’s (Sports Utility Vehicles), Supermarkets, Pollution, Convenience Stores, Sports, Vacations, Traveling, Holidays, Newspapers, Cars, Pets, Restaurants, Dating,
Aims: Practice quick analytical thinking, expression of opinions Level: This works best with more advanced students, and in smaller groups. Materials: Pre-made topic slips, a clock or watch for keeping time. Roles: Each speech requires a speaker and a timekeeper. Procedure:
The student to perform the speech randomly selects a faced-down strip of paper containing a topic. The student has a short period of time (3 – 5 seconds) to turn the strip over and read it. The time-keeper shouts: “Start” The speaker must begin speaking about the subject. The speaker can say anything he or she wants to about the subject, so long as it is related to the subject. The speaker must attempt to continually speak without long pauses until: After 1-minute, the time-keeper shouts: “STOP!” Variations:
A: The speaker may begin the speech by saying what the topic is: e.g. “My subject is ‘Supermarkets’” B: The speaker does not specify the topic he or she is speaking about. (However he or she can still say the word during the speech). At the end of the speech, the audience must guess what the subject was C: The speaker may choose which variation (A or B) will be used. D: In terms of running the activity, there are a variety of options. For one, you can break the class into groups of 5 or 6, and they can perform the activity in small groups. Or, you can make this an ongoing activity: At the start of each class, you can have 3 or 4 students perform their speech in front of the entire class. You can run this activity this way for several days until everyone has performed.
Sample Topic Slips:
The topics can be absolutely anything. Preferably 1 or 2 words only. They can range from very specific to very general: SUV’s (Sports Utility Vehicles), Supermarkets, Pollution, Convenience Stores, Sports, Vacations, Traveling, Holidays, Newspapers, Cars, Pets, Restaurants, Dating,