Intermediate
60 mins
Teacher/Student led
+65 XP
Pupils work on their own device

Rehearse Like You Mean It

Practise timing your talk, spotting filler words and read-aloud slides with a partner or Coach, then run twice in pairs with one deliberate change and log the evidence.

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    1 - Introduction ~5 mins

    Welcome

    Illustration for IntroductionToday you rehearse for real: time the talk, catch your fillers, change one thing, then run it again. Sit with the pair your teacher set (or use the solo fallback if you have no partner). Run one is data, not a verdict.

    By the end you will:

    • Time a talk and note long slides
    • Spot fillers with Coach or a partner
    • Log two runs and one change

    Warm-up

    Silent self-check (about 30 seconds). Tick one in your head: rushing, nerves, or the screen?

    Do not start the task until {{code:02_talk_deck}} opens in {{code:Digital_Presentations}}. If it is missing, tell the teacher. No pair yet? Raise your hand or use solo mode.

    2 - Key Concepts ~5 mins

    ConceptWhy it mattersExample
    Steady pace: calm, even deliveryToo fast loses the room; too slow loses the threadPartner says rushed: ease the open and last slide
    Filler words: um, like, you knowA high count sounds unsure even when you know the topicTwelve ums in run one; five after you pause instead
    One-change rule: fix only one habit between runsChanging everything at once hides what actually helpedOnly fix ums: do not rewrite slides in the same gap
    Rehearsal log: short table of each run's factsEvidence of practice, not a vague feeling you improvedRun 1: 3:10, Slide 4, 12 fillers → pause instead of um

    3 - Step-by-step Task: Timed Rehearsal Setup ~17 mins

    Open {{code:02_talk_deck}}. Complete Run 1 only (about three minutes). Microsoft: Coach if it works, else partner or solo timer. Google: timer and tally (phone, second tab, or clock). Sounding rough on run one is normal. You need numbers and one change, not a polished talk.

    Copy the five log headers on paper and jot Run 1 plus one main-point sentence. Stop there. Run 2 and {{code:07_rehearsal_log}} are in Portfolio Build.

    Sample log (Wild Atlantic Way) and decision trail:

    RunTotal timeLongest slideFillersOne change before next run
    13:10Slide 4 (clifftop walk)12 (um, like)Pause instead of um; cue words only
    22:55Slide 65-

    Partner or Coach main point: You read every title aloud. Look up after the first line.

    Decision trail: note said titles read aloud → one change = look up after line one → Run 2 fillers or title-reading may drop.

    Longest slide (timer marks): advances 0:00, 0:40, 1:55, 2:50 → gaps 40s, 75s, 55s → longest = slide 2 (75s).

    4 - Common Issues ~3 mins

    Common Issues

    IssueSolution
    Coach will not start or hear meAllow the mic, try headphones, or switch to timer and tally
    Timer and talk do not matchStart on the first spoken word, not when Slideshow opens
    Cannot tell the longest slideMark the time on each advance; largest gap wins
    Want to change five thingsWrite one change only; save the rest for later

    5 - Portfolio Build: 07_rehearsal_log ~20 mins

    Independent Practice

    Your goal: Apply your one change in Run 2, then leave a clear rehearsal log from your paper notes.
    Time: ~20 minutes
    Task: In your pair (or solo), complete Run 2 of {{code:02_talk_deck}} only, about three minutes, with the same tool as Run 1 and only your one change. Aim to finish both Run 2 passes by halfway, then create {{code:07_rehearsal_log}} in {{code:Digital_Presentations}}. Build the 3×5 table, copy both runs from paper, and add the main-point sentence you already wrote.
    Success criteria:
    • {{code:07_rehearsal_log}} is saved inside {{code:Digital_Presentations}}
    • Two run rows are filled: total time, longest slide, fillers, and one specific change attempted
    • One sentence records the partner's or Coach's main point (from your paper note)
    • The change column is clear and past-tense; metric movement is optional talk, not a pass gate
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