Speaking confidently in Standard English
Whether you're giving a class presentation or chatting with friends, confident speech comes from knowing your audience and your material.
Part of your national curriculum
- Spoken English: Speak confidently and effectively, using Standard English confidently in a range of formal and informal contexts
Lesson overview
What you'll learn in this lesson
Speak confidently and effectively, using Standard English confidently in a range of formal and informal contexts
Key learning points
- • Preparing to speak formally
- • Adjusting for context
- • Effective, not just loud
This lesson at a glance
- 22 minutes
- 17 parts to scroll through
- 3 quick checks
- Marked quiz at the end
- Gentle pace: short sittings with pauses
Words to know
Scroll down — the lesson carries on below
Watch & discover
Part 1 of 17
Watch first
Speaking confidently in Standard English
Shape and rehearse an idea so its structure remains clear when spoken aloud.
In a nutshell
Speak confidently and effectively, using Standard English confidently in a range of formal and informal contexts
Learning cycle
Part 2 of 17
Learning cycle 1 of 2
Part 1 · Preparing to speak formally
A short piece of teaching, then a check to make sure it has landed.
Explore the idea
Part 3 of 17
Learn
Preparing to speak formally
Before a presentation, plan your key points and practise saying them aloud — a shaky first attempt becomes fluent with rehearsal. Standing tall, pausing between points and making eye contact all signal confidence, even if you're nervous underneath.
Reset break
Part 4 of 17
Pause
That's sitting 1 of 4 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Explore the idea
Part 5 of 17
Learn
Adjusting for context
Presenting to the whole class calls for clear, Standard English and a steady pace; explaining the same idea to a friend at break can be quicker and more casual. The skill is switching smoothly between the two.
Quick check
Part 6 of 17
Quick check
Part 7 of 17
Quick check
Why might you use different registers for a presentation and a chat with a friend?
Reset break
Part 8 of 17
Pause
That's sitting 2 of 4 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Learning cycle
Part 9 of 17
Learning cycle 2 of 2
Part 2 · Effective, not just loud
A short piece of teaching, then a check to make sure it has landed.
Explore the idea
Part 10 of 17
Learn
Effective, not just loud
Effective speaking isn't about volume — it's about clarity, structure ('firstly... then... finally...') and reading your audience. Pausing to check people are following is more effective than rushing through everything at once.
Quick check
Part 11 of 17
Reset break
Part 12 of 17
Pause
That's sitting 3 of 4 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Challenge round
Part 13 of 17
Game · Sort it
Which of these are true?
Drag each card into the right column. Tap a card first if dragging is fiddly.
True
Not true
Challenge round
Part 14 of 17
Game · Fill the gaps
Finish the sentences
Choose the word that belongs in each gap.
Presenting to the whole class calls for clear, ____ English and a steady pace; explaining the same idea to a friend at break can be quicker and more casual.
Challenge round
Part 15 of 17
Game · Recall cards
Why mark stress and pauses before rehearsing?
Card 1 of 4
Mastery quiz
Part 16 of 17
Marked quiz
End of lesson quiz: Speaking confidently in Standard English
4 questions, marked with the reasoning shown. No timer.
1. Why mark stress and pauses before rehearsing?
2. When is stillness most effective?
3. What is the main purpose of improvising a scene in your own words?
4. Which is the strongest justification of a performance choice?
Lesson round-up
Part 17 of 17
Lesson round-up
Ready when you are
Quiz score
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Games
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Points this lesson
0
Best run
0 in a row
Luna: 0 out of 3 on the practice checks. Only if you feel up to it — one more?
Ask LunaPart 1 of 17 · Watch & discover
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Speak confidently and effectively, using Standard English confidently in a range of formal and informal contexts