Good Speeches from TED for ESL Speaking classes
These are sites that I'd like to integrate into my Speaking 5 class next fall
Author erosenfield
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internet page
1Steve Jobs commencement speech at Stanford 2005 "How to live before you die"
a great example of a 15 minute speech with a clear beginning, middle (with three examples) and inspirational end. students can use a speech like this as a model. also lots of interesting colloquial expressions.
http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/steve_jobs_how_to_live_before_you_die.html
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internet page
2This is a very funny look at the origins of Chinese food in American by cooking columnist Jennifer Lee
This page would be great to use if I have a lot of Chinese-speaking students. The only drawback is that the presenter speaks too fast.
http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/jennifer_8_lee_looks_for_general_tso.html
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internet page
3The noted biologist E. O. Wilson makes a plea for biodiversity
E. O. Wilson speaks very slowly, so students can easily mark thought groups and word stress. It's a good model of SLOW speech. (Students usually speak too quickly when presenting in front of the class.)
http://blog.ted.com/2007/04/04/2007_ted_prize_2/
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internet page
4Karen Armstrong talks about what religions have in common
British author Karen Armstrong has written a number of books on religion. Although this can be a touchy subject, her discussion of "the golden rule" as central to all religions shouldn't be too controversial. She has a very crisp delivery and uses emphasis very well to make her points. Students can watch this one before makiing a "persuasive speech."
http://www.ted.com/talks/karen_armstrong_let_s_revive_the_golden_rule.html