Review - Collins Academic Skills Series Presenting

Criterion

Grade: 5/4/3/2/1

Comments (5 being the highest grade and 1 the lowest)

Originality

         5

This self-study book not only provides a comprehensive overview of the practicalities of, preparing for and giving presentations but also provides insightful information with regard to presenting at university. Furthermore, it identifies and differentiates between the different scenarios where a student could be expected to provide a presentation.

In addition, acknowledgement is given to the concerns and problems experienced by students and their difficulties are addressed in a supportive manner. Students are encouraged to consider their concerns related to presenting and possible solutions are proposed through the means of exercises.

The different chapters both acknowledge and address pre-, undergraduate and post graduate students all of whom will benefit from the information presented here.

Practicality

         4

As a self-study resource, this book is very user-friendly. The information is accessible, being written in a clear and concise way.

• The Introduction provides useful information regarding the structure, content and use of the book, with some very practical study tips.
• This book could be worked through sequentially or units could be used in isolation, as required/preferred.

Presentation

         4

• Following on from the Contents page and Introduction, this book contains twelve chapters. Each chapter begins with outlining its aims and is followed by a self-evaluation quiz of 3-4 questions.
• Sub-headings are used throughout the Units.
• There is a glossary outlining key terminology adjacent to where it is being presented on the page. 
• At the end of each Unit there is a summary of important points to remember.
• An answer key and full glossary of the terminology used throughout the Units are provided at the back of the book.
• There are 5 Appendices: 1) Useful phrases 2) Talking about numbers and figures 3) Citations and References 4) A completed presentation outline and template 5) A post-presentation self-assessment form

Overall rating

     4

What outstanding strengths/ weaknesses do you feel this title possesses?

This is not just another book about how to deliver a presentation! This book provides a comprehensive yet simplistic overview of pragmatic considerations within an academic context.

Strengths

Attention is given to presenting at seminars and other university contexts.

Students are instructed as to how to design and give a Poster Presentation. This will be of value to students at whatever stage they are at on their academic journey. In particular, this will be most beneficial to those presenting at conferences for the first time.

An extensive number of useful phrases relating to different functions are provided within the Appendices. These would include: Expressing ideas, explaining reasons, hedging and disagreeing indirectly. The range of functions provided here also serves to draw the students´ attention to the communicative complexities involved in presenting.

Exercises are used to provide helpful information. This is in addition to the requirements and nature of the exercise, ie grammar or vocabulary.

Websites are provided for further information and examples.

Weaknesses

The exercises lack complexity, particularly in terms of language usage. This could result in students disengaging without recognizing and therefore, not benefiting from, the information that the exercises also contain.

All of the illustrations given are in black and white. A minor point, but as varying shades of grey are used to demonstrate example slides, the use of colour might have been more stimulating!

On which courses do you envisage being able to use this material? 

This book could be used as an additional self-study resource on any of the following programmes:

Pre-sessional, Foundation, First year Undergraduate students on degree or comparative programmes,

Preparatory Academic English programmes. Please note that this self-study book has not been mapped against the CEFR (Common European Framework). It is text-heavy and does require a lot of reading. However, it is written in a very accessible way, and a glossary is provided.

For students at IELTS 4.5 and above, it is likely that the information in this book would be accessed and applied, without difficulty.

Other comments

The author states that “This book gives you the skills you need to feel prepared, relaxed and confident when giving academic presentations.” Any international, undergraduate or postgraduate student, who is inexperienced in giving presentations, in English and for academic purposes, would benefit from using this book!

This would also be a very useful addition to any ELT/EAP Teacher’s book shelf!