How to understand presentations and lectures in English – 8 tips

• Don’t be a snob.

Don’t expect perfect English from the presenter. If you notice their pronunciation or grammar are not perfect, don’t assume they lack expertise. This is a common prejudice, and as soon as you catch yourself thinking this way, stop. It is in your best interest to understand the lecture and learn something. Do not waste the chance by focusing on the negatives.

• Don’t resent a native speaker if they speak too fast.

People often complain that the British and Americans speak too fast and use language other people do not understand. Maybe it will help if you give these presenters a chance, and if you accept that they have no ill intentions, but rather they lack experience as presenters. They are not trying to intimidate you with their language; instead they are using the skills they have in order to make an impression on you. Isn’t that what we all do when we are presenting something? Give them a chance and follow the next few tips on how to understand their presentation.

• Prepare well.

Read or listen to something about the topic of the lecture. The lecturer has probably already written something, published or posted on the topic, and that can all be found on the internet or in the documents which are already available to you. Learn some of the key words before the presentation. Use what is written on the slides. If nothing else, take some time before the presentation to think – in English – about what you already know on the topic, and which questions you would like to hear answers to in the presentation.

• Be truly eager to listen.

Come to the presentation determined to learn at least three (or four, or five) things. Ideally, these would be things related to the topic, but you can also pick up some phrases, definitions, stories, speaking skills or techniques.

• Separate personal preferences from the content of the presentation.

Perhaps you don’t like the tone of the presenter’s voice, or something about their appearance. It is important to find the source of your discomfort, acknowledge it, and then focus on the presentation. It is acceptable, even desirable, for you to think critically about the content – you may even disagree with the presenter. But try not to have an imaginary argument with the presenter during the presentation – you might miss something important. You can learn something even from disagreeable or arrogant presenters; the experience itself of listening to someone you disagree with is something you can benefit from in the future.

• Wonder.

Before and during the presentation, think about the questions you would like to ask related to the topic. How can you ask them in English? Try and guess what the presenter will say; it will help you listen more carefully in order to check if your predictions were correct.

• Pay attention to signposts.

• Retrospect.

After the presentation, think about this experience so that next time you can do even better. Ask yourself these questions:

What was good? For example, you understood the essence of the presentation, you managed to stay focused the entire time, you wrote down several key points and words.

What could have been better? For example, you did not understand one part of the presentation because you focused on one word you did not understand, so you didn’t listen carefully for the rest of the sentence. Remember to ignore a new word next time and focus on everything else you do understand.

What was the best? For example, you listened to an entire presentation in English, you learnt something new, you made useful contacts.