PechaKucha Prep: A 10‑Minute AI Talk
CEFR: B2
Read/Listen first
Next week I must give a short presentation on AI at a collaboration day. To make it manageable, I will use a PechaKucha style: many simple slides, each with one clear point. I will signpost the talk, show one work use case, and finish with a practical takeaway. The goal is not to say everything about AI, but to speak clearly and confidently for ten minutes.⚡ Learning goals
- Describe key details from the scene using precise nouns and adjectives.
- Compare two places using clear contrasts and simple reasons.
- Share a short personal reaction using natural speaking phrases.
✨ Key language
- It feels/looks … “It feels very quiet and open.”
- You can see … “You can see fields for miles.”
- Compared to … “Compared to home, it’s flatter.”
⚙️ Rules & Grammar — 4 Structures
1️⃣ Descriptive noun + prepositional phrase
Rule: Use a concrete noun followed by a precise place phrase to anchor the image.Examples: a meadow by the sea; quiet towns in the south; card payments at small shops
Common pitfall + fix: Using vague fillers like ‘things there’. — Name the thing and add a preposition of place..
Choose the most descriptive phrase.
Tip: Prefer concrete nouns plus place phrases.
Fill with the best answer: ________________
Tip: Use the target structure from the rule.
2️⃣ Contrast with ‘but/while/whereas’
Rule: Link two facts to show difference.Examples: It’s flat, but the coast is beautiful.; Payments are easy, whereas cash is rare.; I was nervous, while the talk was short.
Common pitfall + fix: Listing facts without cohesion. — Add a contrast linker once per sentence..
Choose the most descriptive phrase.
Tip: Prefer concrete nouns plus place phrases.
Fill with the best answer: ________________
Tip: Use the target structure from the rule.
3️⃣ Past simple for travel experiences
Rule: Use past simple to recount what you saw and did.Examples: We saw pheasants near the house.; We paid by card everywhere.; I gave a short AI talk.
Common pitfall + fix: Overusing present for finished trips. — Switch to past simple for completed events..
Choose the most descriptive phrase.
Tip: Prefer concrete nouns plus place phrases.
Fill with the best answer: ________________
Tip: Use the target structure from the rule.
4️⃣ Hedging with ‘seems/feels/looks’
Rule: Use softeners to express impressions.Examples: It seems quieter than Berlin.; The landscape feels endless.; The rules look strict.
Common pitfall + fix: Stating opinions as facts. — Add a hedging verb to moderate claims..
Choose the most descriptive phrase.
Tip: Prefer concrete nouns plus place phrases.
Fill with the best answer: ________________
Tip: Use the target structure from the rule.
✍️ Vocabulary
PechaKucha
Meaning: a rapid presentation format with many quick slides.Synonyms: lightning talk, 20×20.
Chunk/Idiom: PechaKucha format.
Example: Use the PechaKucha format..
Morphology: noun (proper).
Self-practice: Name two pros of PechaKucha..
slide
Meaning: a single page in a presentation.Synonyms: visual, screen.
Chunk/Idiom: one idea per slide.
Example: Keep one idea per slide..
Morphology: noun.
Self-practice: Write two slide rules you follow..
signpost
Meaning: to guide the audience through your talk.Synonyms: cue, guide.
Chunk/Idiom: signpost the agenda.
Example: First, I’ll define our goal..
Morphology: verb.
Self-practice: Add two signposts to a talk..
anxiety
Meaning: nervous worry before an event.Synonyms: nerves, stress.
Chunk/Idiom: manage anxiety.
Example: Breathe to manage anxiety..
Morphology: noun.
Self-practice: Share one tip to reduce anxiety..
use case
Meaning: a practical example of how something works.Synonyms: application, example.
Chunk/Idiom: AI use case.
Example: Show one AI use case..
Morphology: noun.
Self-practice: Describe one AI use case at work..
takeaway
Meaning: the main point you want people to remember.Synonyms: lesson, key point.
Chunk/Idiom: clear takeaway.
Example: End with a clear takeaway..
Morphology: noun.
Self-practice: Write your talk’s takeaway..
☁️ Examples (+ audio)
Next week I must give a short presentation on AI at a collaboration day.
It felt quiet and open, with long views.
We spoke about costs, travel, and daily routines.
Small details brought the scene to life.
✏️ Exercises
Grammar
Choose the best contrast sentence.
Tip: Use a linker like but to contrast.
Pick the correct past simple sentence.
Tip: For a finished trip, use past simple.
Fill with the best answer:
It ______ quieter than Berlin.Tip: Hedge opinions with seems/feels/looks.
Fill with the best answer:
We ____ pheasants near the house.Tip: Use a past simple verb.
Vocabulary & Comprehension
Which word best describes the towns?
Tip: Scan the mini text for adjectives.
How did they usually pay?
Tip: Look for payment methods in the story.
Fill with the best answer:
They saw ________ near the house.Tip: Two kinds of animals are named.
Fill with the best answer:
Denmark looked like ________.Tip: Use an adjective + noun from the text.
✅ Guided practice
Mini-dialogue:
A: It feels so quiet here, doesn’t it?B: Yes. You can see fields for miles.
Why this matters:
Noticing concrete details builds clear descriptions. It helps your audience imagine the scene and follow your story.Verb & Adjective Pack:
notice — Notice the long, open views.compare — Compare Denmark with the Netherlands.
seem — It seems quieter than Berlin.
quiet — a quiet town
flat — a flat coastline
Try & compare:
Fill with the best answer: It ______ open and very quiet.
Tip: Use a hedging verb.
Self-correction: Fix the sentence: We see pheasants near house.
Tip: Use past simple and the article.
Practice aloud: Listen, repeat, then type the sentence.
You can pay by card everywhere.
Tip: Keep the sentence short and clear.