Have your class give a presentation on the keys to happiness

Asking students to give classroom presentations on a theme is an excellent way to introduce project based learning to upper intermediate to advanced level classes. For this example lesson, I've chosen the theme of happiness. However, classroom presentations can certainly be made on a wide range of other topics. Before we begin to look at the lesson plan itself, I'd like to point out that it's really important to keep classroom presentations manageable.

That means providing a clear outline of what is expected of students. The clearer the outline, the better the outcome. Sure, it's important that students let their imaginations roam when coming up with presentation materials. However, they need clear parameters in order to finish the task. I've found that open-ended projects can quickly become unwieldy as students strive to come up with the perfect presentation. Other, less motivated students also tend to drop the ball if the they don't know exactly what needs to be done.

It's also important to use the technology with the students. Generally speaking, most younger students today know how to use most office suite programs like Word and PowerPoint. Still, it's a good idea to run through creating a mock presentation to ensure that students know how to get up and running, insert images into their presentations and so on. Finally, I think it's important that students become familiar with using this technology as it will be expected of them in the future, especially if they are university bound.

Aim: Building confidence speaking in front of others in English

Activity: Classroom mini-presentations on happiness

Level: Upper intermediate to advanced

Outline:

Discuss the idea of happiness with students. What types of happiness are there? What leads to happiness? etc. You can use this vocabulary lesson on terms related to happiness as a starting point.
Ask students to choose one of the following topics, or create one of their own:
1. Three dos and don'ts for happiness at work
2. Three dos and don'ts for happiness in marriage
3. Three dos and don'ts for happiness in family life
4. Three dos and don'ts for happiness as a student
5. Three dos and don'ts for happiness while doing something you hate
Ask students to quickly jot down their three "dos and don'ts" using the form below.
Using a projector, or interactive whiteboard, launch PowerPoint or similar presentation application.
As a class, walk through the steps of creating a basic presentation including:
1. Choosing a template
2. Inserting new slides
3. Inserting an image / re sizing images
4. Using bullet points
Discuss the importance of keeping your text brief for presentations, as well as the necessity of eye candy that pops!
Optionally, you may want to show students how to include video or audio. However, I think it's a good idea to keep things simple so the focus stays on presenting in English, rather than on the technology.
As a class, choose one of the topics and create a simple presentation together. Make sure to take the time to find images to insert online. Walking through the steps of saving an image to the hard drive, and then inserting the image by finding it on the hard drive can be confusing for some.
Double-check along the way that students understand the process of making a presentation.
Go to your school's computer lab and have students begin creating their presentations using PowerPoint or similar application.
Circulate around the room helping with grammar, tech questions and so on.
Once the presentations are ready, it's time to focus on the presentation.
Go over key points of successful presentations including:
1. Making eye contact
2. Providing examples
3. Speaking to your audience using the right register
4. Not reading from a prepared text, but only using notes
Ask students to practice giving their presentations in small groups of two or three. If possible, have students change groups three or four times for practice.
Finally, have students present to the class using the presentations they have prepared. You can also use this presentation rubric to grade the presentations.