Performance, Reflection and Evaluation
Section: Speaking & Listening | Syllabus: Cambridge Primary English First Language (0058)
Reading Aloud and Performing in Drama
- Read aloud with accuracy, and increasing confidence and style - clear expression, appropriate pace and pausing for effect
- Convey ideas about characters in drama through deliberate choices of speech, gesture and movement in different roles and scenarios
Speech, gesture and movement can work together to show a character feels the opposite of what they say
Worked Example: Conveying a Character Through Speech, Gesture and MovementLine: "Fine. Do whatever you want. I don't care." (The character is actually hurt, but is pretending not to care.)
Question: How would you use speech, gesture and movement to convey that the character is really hurt, despite the dismissive words?
Speech: deliver the line in a flat, clipped tone rather than a genuinely casual one, with a slight crack in the voice on "don't care". Gesture: cross the arms and avoid eye contact. Movement: turn away or step back from the other character. AnswerCombining a flat, cracking tone, crossed arms and avoided eye contact, and turning away all signal to the audience that the character is hurt underneath their dismissive words.
Planning and Delivering Presentations
- Plan and deliver independent and group presentations confidently to a range of audiences, adapting the presentation appropriately to that audience
- Make choices about the most appropriate media for a particular presentation - e.g. slides, a poster, props or a short video
Evaluating Talk and Explaining Variations in Communication
- Evaluate your own and others' talk, including what went well and what could be improved next time
- Begin to explain variations in communication, including changes in register, across different contexts
Scenario: You watched a classmate's group presentation on recycling.
Question: Give an evaluation of the presentation, including what went well and one specific thing that could be improved.
What went well: "The group structured their main points clearly and used confident eye contact with the audience." What could improve: "One member read directly from notes instead of speaking naturally, which made that section harder to follow." Answer"The group structured their main points clearly and used confident eye contact. Next time, it would help if everyone spoke naturally instead of reading directly from notes, to keep the audience engaged throughout."
Common Mistakes
MistakeGiving vague feedback like "it was good" without saying what specifically went well or could improve
Fixalways be specific - name what worked and give one concrete suggestion for improvement
MistakeUsing the same style regardless of whether you're reading a formal report aloud or performing a dramatic character
Fixadapt your delivery style to the context and purpose of what you're saying
Interactive revision notes, videos and practice questions load below.