Going blank in an L2 presentation is often driven by a default belief (“my English is bad so I’ll forget”). Reflect on how you cope in your L1, then rehearse concrete fallbacks.
Six strategies
- Keywords on cards within reach.
- Paraphrase with an example.
- A mind map of main ideas to glance at.
- Ask the audience for the word.
- Admit it and pause.
- Anticipate questions and prepare answers.
- Pick one or two, use them in the next presentation, record what happened.
Theory (Claude)
These are Dörnyei & Scott’s communication (compensation) strategies: circumlocution, appeal for help, use of fillers and pause. Teaching them explicitly is supported (Dörnyei 1995).
Apply in my context (Claude)
- IELTS Part 2 and PET/FCE long turns: practise a “blank” drill where the teacher removes one key word mid-turn and the student must paraphrase or use a filler.
Connections
Twelve conversation strategies worth teaching · Fluency rests on memorised word-groups · Stop apologising for your English - listener-focused communication