020_Question_Control

020_Question_Control

In this second of three episodes about presentation skills, Tomomi inquires about question control statements.

Kevin:

Hello and welcome to another episode of Nichibei Kaiwa Gakuin Podcasting. A great place to review English words and phrases. My name is Kevin Jones. This episode is the second of three episodes looking at presentation skills. This episode we are talking with Nichibei student Tomomi.

Tomomi:

Hello Kevin.

Kevin:

And Nichibei instructor Mark Melichar. Hello Mark.

Mark Melichar:

Hello Kevin.

Kevin:

So Tomomi, what can we do for you?

Tomomi:

Last week I heard your podcast about presentation introductions and I wanted to ask you a question about a problem I always have when I’m giving a speech in English.

Kevin:

What’s that?

Tomomi:

Well, sometimes in the middle of my presentation, some people always interrupt me to ask questions. This really confuses me and makes it difficult for me to continue with my presentation. How can I make it clear that I don’t want people to ask me questions while I’m talking?

Kevin:

I know exactly how you feel, That can be frustrating. Mark, you have a lot of experience teaching business presentation, what can you suggest for Tomomi?

Mark Melichar:

Well Tomomi, there are some standard set phrases for exactly this situation. These are phrases for question control. These phrases let your audience know if you want to answer questions during or after your presentation. A standard phrase would be. Please hold any questions until the end of my presentation.

Tomomi:

Where in my presentation should I use this phrase?

Mark Melichar:

It’s best to place a question control phrase at the end of your introduction just before you start your first section.

Tomomi:

Do you know another phrase I can use?

Mark Melichar:

There are several but how about this one. If you have any questions, I would be happy to answer them at the end of my presentation.

Kevin:

Mark, sometimes a presenter doesn’t mind if someone wants to ask a question during the presentation. What question control phrases should we use for that situation?

Mark Melichar:

There are several, but a standard one would be …. If you have any questions during my presentation, please don’t hesitate to ask.

Tomomi:

Don’t hesitate? What does that mean?

Mark Melichar:

To hesitate means to stop or pause before saying something, usually because you are not sure about something. So don’t hesitate means, don’t stop yourself or don’t worry about asking a question.

Tomomi:

I see, Thanks.

Mark Melichar:

So Tomomi, let’s hear you give an introduction to a speech which contains a question control statement.

Tomomi:

OK. Good morning ladies and gentlemen. Today I would like to bring you up-to-date on sales of portable music payers in the Japanese market. My presentation will consist of two parts. First, the recent market trends and secondly our projections for the next year. If you have any questions, I would be happy to answer them at the end of my presentation.

Mark Melichar:

Very Good Tomomi. That should stop anyone from interrupting your presentation.

Tomomi:

Thanks for your help. I feel more confident about controlling my presentation.

Mark Melichar:

Glad I could help Tomomi.

Kevin:

Now let’s review the target vocabulary and phrases covered in this episode. If you have any questions, I would be happy to answer them at the end of my presentation…If you have any questions during my presentation, please don’t hesitate to ask.

END