Everyday speaking: introductions, short speeches and two languages

Most speaking is not on a stage. It is introducing yourself at an open day, saying a few words at a family celebration or speaking up in your second language. The Etiquette module covers conversation and small talk; this lesson focuses on short prepared moments and on speaking confidently in Arabic, English or any language you are still learning.

Watch the 1-minute overview

Watch the full video guide for this module

Introducing yourself in 30 seconds

• Carnegie Mellon University's careers centre suggests four parts: who I am, what I can offer, why I am here, and what I hope happens next.
• Its guidance: about 30 seconds for an initial introduction, and one to two minutes for 'Tell me about yourself' in an interview.
• Duke University's career centre advises practising often but keeping it conversational and natural rather than memorised, and preparing for follow-up questions.
• End with a question to keep the conversation going (CMU). For example: 'What do students in your programme enjoy most?'
• Example for a university open day: 'Hello, I am Mariam. I am in Year 12 in Dubai, studying maths, physics and computer science. I built a small app for our school library last year, and I am interested in software engineering. Could you tell me how much project work there is in the first year?'

Short speeches for occasions

• Toastmasters' magazine suggests two to three minutes as the right length for a toast or similar celebratory speech.
• Structure from Toastmasters: get the room's attention politely, introduce yourself and your connection to the person or event, stick to one theme, then close with a short, warm line.
• In this lesson, a 'toast' simply means a short speech of thanks or congratulations, with juice, water or no glass at all. The same structure works for thanking a teacher, welcoming guests or congratulating a graduate.
• Toastmasters' rule is 'toast, don't roast': keep it positive and inclusive, and avoid jokes that might embarrass anyone.
• Accepting an award: thank the organisation, acknowledge one or two people who really helped, and skip the long list of generic thank-yous (Toastmasters).

Speaking in a second language

• The British Council describes mistakes as 'an essential part of learning'. Start in low-pressure settings such as chatting with classmates.
• Useful phrases from the British Council: 'Help me out, how do I say...?' when you are stuck, and 'Hang on, let me finish' if someone interrupts.
• Find a practice partner. The British Council notes they do not need to be an expert, just someone willing to talk with you.
• Listen closely to how fluent speakers link words and where they put stress, and try films or programmes with subtitles off (British Council).
• If you are presenting in Arabic at school, ask your teacher whether Modern Standard Arabic or a more conversational style is expected, and practise key terms aloud.

Your accent is not a problem

• Researchers distinguish accent (how different you sound), comprehensibility (how easy you are to follow) and intelligibility (how much is actually understood).
• In a study by Munro and Derwing described by psychologist Francois Grosjean, recordings of English by native Mandarin speakers with moderate to heavy accents were transcribed by listeners, and close to two-thirds were understood at 91 to 100 percent accuracy.
• Grosjean concludes that accent and understanding are only loosely linked, and that most bilinguals have an accent in at least one of their languages.
• Listeners also adjust to a new accent with regular contact. Focus on clarity and pace, covered in the voice lesson, rather than trying to erase your accent.

Being bilingual is a strength

• Scientific American notes that estimates vary, but many sources suggest more than half of the world's people are bilingual or multilingual.
• Switching between languages in one conversation is called code-switching. A researcher quoted in the article describes it as very natural for bilingual people and not bad for the brain.
• In formal tasks, stick to the language you have been asked to use, and prepare the technical words you will need in that language.
• Practise impromptu speaking in both languages. Toastmasters suggests answering random topics for two minutes, building up to five, to train thinking on your feet.