<![CDATA[Comments on: Public Speaking Tips]]> 2008-10-09 18:00:00 <![CDATA[By: crosslink]]> Hi guys,

Nice lesson. One VERY good thing about it was that many of the words I've learned though Chinese Pod were repeated here. It's a wonderful feeling to hear and recognize them in a NEW context. It would be wonderful if you picked a handful of words that we are about to hear and put them into simple sentences in a 'work-up' sheet. We, your students could read/learn those phrases BEFORE the lesson and thus be more prepared for what we are about to hear. I'm an English teacher and I know the value of this. It would be a very quick exercise for you guys and EXTREMELY helpful for us. Also pedagogically sound. What do you think?

]]> Hi guys,

Nice lesson. One VERY good thing about it was that many of the words I've learned though Chinese Pod were repeated here. It's a wonderful feeling to hear and recognize them in a NEW context. It would be wonderful if you picked a handful of words that we are about to hear and put them into simple sentences in a 'work-up' sheet. We, your students could read/learn those phrases BEFORE the lesson and thus be more prepared for what we are about to hear. I'm an English teacher and I know the value of this. It would be a very quick exercise for you guys and EXTREMELY helpful for us. Also pedagogically sound. What do you think?

]]> <![CDATA[By: jennyzhu]]> Many public speeches in China are funny for all the wrong reasons, which John and I touched on briefly in the podcast. The defining feature is the lack of communication and concern for how the audience responds to the speech. Very often, public speech is the speaker burying his or her head reading a long script. Of course, there are complex reasons that resulted in this culture.

]]> Many public speeches in China are funny for all the wrong reasons, which John and I touched on briefly in the podcast. The defining feature is the lack of communication and concern for how the audience responds to the speech. Very often, public speech is the speaker burying his or her head reading a long script. Of course, there are complex reasons that resulted in this culture.

]]> <![CDATA[By: jennyzhu]]> crosslink,

Thank you for the great suggestion! It's definitely a very well designed preview. Right now, our preview is mostly highlighting keywords and phrases in the beginning of the podcast, but there is definitey room for more structured preview which could even further enhance learning. We'll certainly explore that. Thanks!

]]> crosslink,

Thank you for the great suggestion! It's definitely a very well designed preview. Right now, our preview is mostly highlighting keywords and phrases in the beginning of the podcast, but there is definitey room for more structured preview which could even further enhance learning. We'll certainly explore that. Thanks!

]]> <![CDATA[By: crosslink]]> Wow - that was a quick response. Thanks Jenny!

]]> Wow - that was a quick response. Thanks Jenny!

]]> <![CDATA[By: bill]]> Usually, before I listen to a lesson I go over the vocabulary and expansion exercises on the website. This is an excellent preview.

Bill

 

]]> Usually, before I listen to a lesson I go over the vocabulary and expansion exercises on the website. This is an excellent preview.

Bill

 

]]> <![CDATA[By: beizhantu]]> In Hong Kong I go to a Toastmasters Club to practice public speaking. In Cantonese it's called Yin Gong Wui. What is it in Putonghua?

]]> In Hong Kong I go to a Toastmasters Club to practice public speaking. In Cantonese it's called Yin Gong Wui. What is it in Putonghua?

]]> <![CDATA[By: mroby03]]> i've been to quite a few Chinese speeches...definitely not  by choice.  like you said Jenny, most of them involve lowered heads and muttered speech.  i can't really put a finger on whether the masses enjoy these or not?  if not, then why doesn't it change?!  ; )

]]> i've been to quite a few Chinese speeches...definitely not  by choice.  like you said Jenny, most of them involve lowered heads and muttered speech.  i can't really put a finger on whether the masses enjoy these or not?  if not, then why doesn't it change?!  ; )

]]> <![CDATA[By: emily424]]> beizhantu - I have only heard of Toastmasters called "Toastmasters" in Shanghai.  There are 29 clubs just in Shanghai.  Most are English - a couple are bilingual and one is Mandarian only.  I am truly amazed at how passionate most of the members are about TM!  There are hundreds of people trying their hardest to improve their presentation skills.

Here is the China Toastmasters site.

Here is the search for all clubs in Shanghai if anyone is interested in visiting one.

I am actually the president of China Advanced Toastmasters.  Anyone is welcome to come visit anytime.

 

]]> beizhantu - I have only heard of Toastmasters called "Toastmasters" in Shanghai.  There are 29 clubs just in Shanghai.  Most are English - a couple are bilingual and one is Mandarian only.  I am truly amazed at how passionate most of the members are about TM!  There are hundreds of people trying their hardest to improve their presentation skills.

Here is the China Toastmasters site.

Here is the search for all clubs in Shanghai if anyone is interested in visiting one.

I am actually the president of China Advanced Toastmasters.  Anyone is welcome to come visit anytime.

 

]]> <![CDATA[By: rastafeyd01]]> From my own experience I would say that reading from a script, with head down, while giving a presentation is anything but just Chinese.  I recall more than once having a presentation given in this style by individuals educated in the west.  At the time I remember a professor referring to it as "old school" style.

]]> From my own experience I would say that reading from a script, with head down, while giving a presentation is anything but just Chinese.  I recall more than once having a presentation given in this style by individuals educated in the west.  At the time I remember a professor referring to it as "old school" style.

]]> <![CDATA[By: eclectic]]> What's the difference between 你太严肃 and 你太认真了?

]]> What's the difference between 你太严肃 and 你太认真了?

]]> <![CDATA[By: kingbee]]> Jenny, can you touch on these reasons a bit?

I have to attend many mass meetings in school. It's utterly ridiculous as the leaders prang on for up to three hours about working hard and making a civilised school. The teachers always just seem to play on their phones (or answer them!) and read. It seems utterly rude, but almost accepted.

]]> Jenny, can you touch on these reasons a bit?

I have to attend many mass meetings in school. It's utterly ridiculous as the leaders prang on for up to three hours about working hard and making a civilised school. The teachers always just seem to play on their phones (or answer them!) and read. It seems utterly rude, but almost accepted.

]]> <![CDATA[By: jennyzhu]]> I think we have a tradition of fond of holding big meetings to make grand announcements that don't really mean anything. It's going through the motions rather than anything substantial. The meeting organizers do it because that's the protocol or job requirements. The audience just sits through it. This culture is more prevalent in state firms, government agencies and schools. Less so in the private sector.

]]> I think we have a tradition of fond of holding big meetings to make grand announcements that don't really mean anything. It's going through the motions rather than anything substantial. The meeting organizers do it because that's the protocol or job requirements. The audience just sits through it. This culture is more prevalent in state firms, government agencies and schools. Less so in the private sector.

]]>