Portuguese Year 4: A short talk: plan, give and evaluate
Portuguese, Year 4 (Portugal): Prepare a script of key words, use varied words and complex sentences, give the talk alone or in a group and evaluate how it went.
Script, words and sentences
A short talk is prepared in three stages. Plan: choose the topic and make a script of key words in order (beginning, middle, end). Give it: use varied words (instead of repeating «coisa», “thing”) and complex sentences, which have more than one verb and join ideas with «porque» (because), «quando» (when), «que» (that) or «mas» (but). Evaluate: ask yourself, with a checklist, how it went. In a group, each person takes one part.
A good talk is not made up on the spot
Whoever prepares a script does not get lost in the middle or forget the essentials, and speaks more calmly. Varied words keep listeners alert: «pás e ancinhos» (“spades and rakes”) says more than «umas coisas» (“some things”). Complex sentences explain why things happen, not only what happens. And evaluating with a checklist shows what to improve next time.
The school vegetable garden, in a group
Three friends prepare a talk called «A nossa horta» (“Our garden”). Step 1: script: beginning: the topic; middle: Rita, what we planted; Tomás, how we care for it; Inês, what we learned; end: thanks. Step 2: complex sentence: «Regamos a horta quando chegamos à escola, porque as plantas precisam de água.» Step 3: vocabulary: «pás e ancinhos» instead of «umas coisas para cavar». Step 4: evaluate: Did I say the topic? Did I follow the order? Did I keep to the time?
Learning it by heart or reading it all out is not preparing
Many people write the whole text and try to memorise it, or read it word for word. But whoever memorises forgets one word and gets lost, and whoever reads does not look at the listeners. The script is there to remind you of the ideas, not of the words. Take only the key words in order and say each idea in your own words, after rehearsing aloud.
Class projects and explanations
You use this when you present a group project, when you explain to a friend how a game is played, when you tell the class about a study trip or when you speak at a family meeting. Planning, giving and evaluating works for any short talk, and every time you repeat it, it comes out better.
Test what you learned
What is a script of key words for, when you prepare a talk?
- a) To read it word for word
- b) To memorise it whole
- c) To say it faster
- d) To put the ideas in order and remember them without memorising everything
Correct answer: d) To put the ideas in order and remember them without memorising everything — Yes: a few key words in order remind you of each idea, and you say it in your own words.
You want to join two ideas in one complex sentence: «Regamos a horta. As plantas precisam de água.» (We water the garden. The plants need water.) Which one does it?
- a) «Regamos a horta com um regador.» (We water the garden with a watering can.)
- b) «Regamos a horta porque as plantas precisam de água.» (We water the garden because the plants need water.)
- c) «Horta, água, plantas.» (Garden, water, plants.)
Correct answer: b) «Regamos a horta porque as plantas precisam de água.» (We water the garden because the plants need water.) — Yes: two verbs joined by «porque», and the sentence now gives the reason.
Rita has written the whole text of her talk. What is best for her to do?
- a) Learn it by heart word for word
- b) Read it aloud without lifting her eyes
- c) Make a script of key words and say the ideas in her own words
- d) Not rehearse and speak on the spot
Correct answer: c) Make a script of key words and say the ideas in her own words — Yes: the key words remind her of the order, and she rehearses aloud until it flows.
Keep exploring
Other languages
Loading MyLeoNes™…