Giving
​Presentations
Oral Language Features
Beginning a presentation
  • Brief jiko-shoukai and opening sentence.
Even a relatively informal presentation requires a proper self-introduction and a formulaic opening sentence stating the topic of the presentation or speech.
  • Formal self-introduction.
​​みなさん、こんにちは。私は、<NAME> と  もうします。
  • ​​​Hello everybody. My name is ...

​どうぞ  よろしく  おねがい  します。
  • This is a formulaic expression that doesn't exist in English. The purpose is to invite good will from the listener.
  • Stating the topic of the presentation or speech.
​きょうは　＜TOPIC＞ について　おはなし　したい　と おもいます。
  • ​​​Today, I would like to talk about ...​
きょうは日本の きゅうしょくについて  おはなし　したい  とおもいます。
  • Today, I'd like to talk about Japanese school lunches.
きょうは日本の まつりについて  おはなし　したい  とおもいます。
  • Today, I'd like to talk about Japanese festivals.
Signalling that you're coming to the end of your speech.
So that your talk doesn't end abruptly, it's important to signal to your listeners that you're nearly done. Here is a sentence starter:
では、さいご　に . . .
  • Finally, . . .
    This comes at the start of your concluding statement - which could be a summary of your most important point; a recommendation; a call to action, or a conclusion you have reached. ​​
    では (de wa) is a signal in Japanese that is universally understood to mean that the speaker is ready to wrap thing up and finish the conversation. 😊
Ending the presentation
  • Closing remarks
Memorise these formulaic closing remarks.
きょうは  <TOPIC> について　おはなし　しました。
  • Today, I talked about <TOPIC> .​
みなさん、わたしの　はなしを　きいて  いただいて  ありがとうございました。
  • Thank you for listening to my speech.​
Culturally appropriate body language
At the beginning of your presentation, bow as you say どうぞよろしくおねがいします.
At the end of your presentation, bow as you say ありがとうございました.
Having your arms folded or hands in pockets while you speak (or listen!) creates a bad impression.
Once you've finished, congratulate yourself! You will have just given a speech in a foreign language!