【Article by EMI Resource Center】

On Thursday, November 21, 2024, the lecture "Delivering Compelling Presentations: Tips and Lessons From Top Public Speakers," presented by Professor Yeu-Ting, Liu, Distinguished Professor and Associate Vice President of National Taiwan Normal University, concluded successfully at the Luo Chia-Luen Hall, the Dah Hsian Seetoo Library, NCCU. The event attracted many professionals, students and teachers from various areas who gathered to explore how to enhance their presentation skills and engage audiences. This lecture was hosted by Professor Siaw-Fong Chung, the director of the NCCU EMI Resource Center and featured Associate Professor Hsin-Chung Liao Associate Vice President of the Bilingual Education and Multicultural Promotion Office as the opening guest.

Professor Yeu-Ting Liu began the lecture by sharing essential presentation techniques drawn from his own experiences. He emphasized that a presentation is not merely about conveying information but building a profound connection with the audience. He highlighted the importance of maintaining eye contact and pointed out a common mistake: "You cannot pretend the audience doesn't exist because this is to isolate yourself." Instead, he suggested that establishing a relationship with the audience is a good way to keep the presentation engaging and lively. Professor Liu also discussed the importance of incorporating "Aha moments" into a presentation—moments that provide the audience with sudden insights or realizations about innovative concepts or overlooked perspectives. Additionally, he explained the significance of the "takeaway message," which is the core idea or lesson the speaker wants the audience to remember and reflect upon after the presentation, such as the key insights from a lecture, meeting, or class.

Body language was another critical topic Professor Liu addressed. He explained the differences between "low power gestures" and "high power gestures." Many students unfamiliar with public speaking tend to display low power gestures, such as crossing their arms, shrinking their body space, or hiding their hands behind their back or under a desk. These actions convey defensiveness, insecurity, or a lack of confidence, often leaving an impression of low energy. In contrast, Professor Liu recommended adopting high power gestures to exude confidence, authority, and control. Examples include open hand movements, placing hands on the table, large gestures, or straight up, which occupy more space and give the impression of being poised and capable, thereby making the audience more willing to engage with the speaker.

Professor Liu also stressed the importance of self-awareness, explaining that understanding oneself is the key to deliver effective and impactful presentations. He shared a personal job interview experience where he was asked to explain, in a single sentence, why he wanted the job. While he felt constrained by the restriction, his competitor answered confidently, "I came here to make a difference." This response made Professor Liu realize that it was important to showcase one’s personality and strengths, rather than merely present facts. This became a central idea of his lecture: being authentic is the key to captivating the audience.

Throughout the event, Professor Liu incorporated interactive activities to help participants practice their skills. One exercise, called the "Walk-Stop-Talk Technique," involved dividing the audience into three sections. The student who acted as the speaker was instructed to make eye contact with three audiences from three separated sections. When she was making a transition point in her speech, she had to move her eye contact with the selected audience in a different section. This technique helps beginners learn to face the audience confidently and reduce stage fright. In another exercise, Professor Liu asked a participant to step outside for a moment. Meanwhile, he placed yellow and pink stickers on some of the audience. When the student returned, they were tasked with introducing themselves while simultaneously counting the number of stickers of each color. This activity encouraged the student to shift their gaze around the room, improving eye contact and audience engagement.

This lecture not only equipped participants with valuable presentation skills and insights but also underscored that public speaking is an art—a process of expressing oneself, inspiring the audience, and delivering impactful messages. We extend our gratitude to Professor Liu for his enlightening talk and practical teaching, which left every participant with newfound knowledge and confidence to tackle future public speaking challenges. Stay tuned for our upcoming events, as we continue to learn and grow together!

【More Information】
Website: https://www.eminccu.com/
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/nccu.emi
IG: https://www.instagram.com/nccu.emi