L'usage de la langue pour présenter un projet architectural
Présenter une solution de design
Faire une présentation dans sa langue maternelle sur un projet spécialisé peut être un vrai défi. Le fond, la forme, le timing de la présentation doivent être planifiés soigneusement à l'avance. Dans une langue seconde, il est évident que cette tâche sera beaucoup plus difficile. Le contrôle et l'élocution de la langue seconde ajoutent encore à la difficulté de l'exercice.
Dans ces activités, vous allez vous entrainer à pratiquer l'écoute. Il s'agit d'une présentation d'étudiant, en anglais, pour proposer une solution de design architectural. Vous réfléchirez également à la façon d'éviter de faire trop de fautes de langue en vous présentant et vous rechercherez des moyens efficaces pour structurer efficacement une présentation pour votre auditoire.
Activité 1: Ecouter pour comprendre une proposition de projet
Dans cette activité, vous allez écouter une partie de la présentation d'un étudiant qui expose brièvement une solution de design. L'étudiant parle en anglais, langue qui n'est pas sa langue maternelle.
Instruction
Ecoutez cet extrait de présentation et regardez le visuel qui l'accompagne. Prenez des notes en anglais sur le projet présenté en utilisant l'espace réservé. Complétez les espaces laissés blancs dans le résumé de la présentation en vous aidant de vos notes. Puis lisez le feedback.
The problem for which the student is proposing a designconcerns the lack of a physicalbetween two communities located on opposite sides of the river Seine and its social. One community is based in andistrict of Villeneuve-Le-Roi and the other in Villeneuve Triage. There is also the problem of adivision between the twowhich the presenter would like to address. A proposedwould link the two communities and could help develop Villeneuve Triage. By drawing across visitors from Villeneuve-Le-Roi to a new development on the naturalbank on the Triage side of the, the social differences could be redressed. The bridge proposal also includesfor pedestrians, bikes andaiming to help reduce the use ofand bring theof the two communities closer together. Designing theof the bridge is the next stage in the project.
Here is the completed summary of the problem and student's proposed design solution. There is more than one possible answer for some gaps: The problem for which the student is proposing a design solution concerns the lack of a physical link/connection between two communities located on opposite sides of the river Seine near Paris and its social impact. One community is based in an urban/city district of Villeneuve-Le-Roi and the other in Villeneuve Triage. There is also the problem of a socio-economic division between the two communities which the presenter would like to address. A proposed bridge would link the two communities and could help develop Villeneuve Triage economically. By drawing across visitors from Villeneuve-Le-Roi to a new development on the natural landscaped bank on the Triage side of the river/Seine, the social differences could be redressed. The bridge proposal also includes lanes for pedestrians, bikes and buses aiming to help reduce the use of private cars and bring the inhabitants of the two communities closer together. Designing the shape of the bridge is the next stage in the project.
During the extract, did you notice how the student outlined different aspects of the problem and how their proposed solution would address these? The combination of images and graphics in the accompanying slides to which she referred also helped support the points she made.
Voici une retranscription de l'extrait pour vous permettre de vérifier vos connaissances et votre travail de manière plus approfondie: Transcript (pdf, 53KB). Vous pouvez, si vous le souhaitez, imprimer ce document.
Activité 2: L'usage des langues dans les présentations de projet
Réaliser une bonne présentation nécessite de trouver l'équilibre entre un contenu informatif et une forme appropriée. Une bonne vitesse d'élocution, une prononciation claire, une bonne structure et un langage contrôlé sont tous des éléments clés pour obtenir ce résultat. Avec cette activité, vous allez devoir réfléchir au langage utilisé ainsi qu'aux erreurs que peuvent commettre les personnes dont l'anglais n'est pas la langue maternelle lorsqu'ils présentent un projet dans cette langue. Vous allez aussi explorer les éléments qui peuvent vous aider à structurer votre présentation de manière efficace pour votre auditoire.
Instruction
Lisez les extraits suivants d'après des présentations de personnes dont l'anglais n'est pas la langue maternelle. Pouvez-vous identifier les erreurs commises par chacun d'entre eux? Corrigez les erreurs dans les espaces réservés. En même temps, réfléchissez à la fonction de chaque phrase dans la présentation. Puis lisez le feedback.
1. "I'm going to present you some of my design work"
I'm going to present some of my design work (to you)
Notice that word order in English may not correspond to that of your first language. The structure used with the verb 'to present' is present + something (+ to someone).
In the introduction to a presentation it is always good practice to tell you audience what you intend to do or speak about. This helps them to know what to expect. Some typical structures to use for this purpose are: In this presentation I'm going to... I shall talk about... First, I'll explain...
2. "Remark on this city plan... we can clearly identify different phase of development."
Notice this city plan...(In it) we can clearly identify different phases of development.
There are two language mistakes in the original extract. The verb 'remark' does not have the same meaning or use in English as it does in the speaker's first language and so is not the right word choice for this context. Another common mistake is to use the wrong form of a noun. Here a plural form is needed ( 'different phases') or alternatively, a singular noun with an article ('a different phase'). When using a noun as a plural, you also need to make sure that you pronounce it as a plural form in your presentation.
Speakers often need to draw their audience's attention to the content of their slides, as in this case. Some useful language for doing this is: Notice here the... You can see in the slide how...
3."Primary,the 'living bridge' will be a place where the people meet together to..."
Primarily, the 'living bridge' will be a place where the people meet together to...
The speaker wishes to draw attention to the main function of the bridge they are designing and so wants to place an adverb (primarily) at the beginning of the sentence to do this but ' primary' is the adjectival form and not the adverb.
Speakers frequently need to draw attention to points that they make during a presentation to highlight their significnace or the speaker's attitude towards them. Some useful adverbs for doing this are: Importantly... Interestingly... Primarily... Surprisingly... Signficantly...
4. "This sector is composed by only individual houses."
This sector is composed of only individual houses.
The correct expression is 'to be composed of'. when learning new vocabulary items it us useful to make a note of any other language elements ( prepositions, particles etc) that may need to be added when using in the word or expression in a sentence.
Speakers often need to expand on the content of their slides. In the context of architectural design this often involves description or further explanation of an image or plan. Some typical language used for describing whole to part relationships is: consists of... comprises... / is comprised of... is composed of...
5. "Thank you for listening. When you have any questions I'll be glad to answer them."
Thank you for listening. If you have any questions I'll be glad to answer them.
Here the speaker clearly indicates the conclusion to their presentation but should use 'if' instead of 'when' to invite possible questions from their audience. It is always good practice to indicate to your audience that your presentation is over otherwise your ending may be too abrupt. Some typical ways to end a presentation effectively are: Thank you for your attention. I'd be happy to take any questions. Thank you for listening. Does anyone have any questions?
6. "...(this) is one of the questions that I'm planning to treat for my P5 (assignment)."
...(this) is one of the questions that I'm planning to deal with/cover/discuss in my P5 (assignment).
Speakers often wish to refer to the sub topics or individual questions that make up their presentation or assignment and their relationship to them. The verbs that reflect this relationship vary between languages and sometimes do not translate directly into a similar sounding verb in a second language as in this case. In English there is a range of possible verbs to use for expressing this idea. They include' deal with', 'cover' and, more formally, 'discuss'.
