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LISTENING & SPEAKING — ORAL PRESENTATIONS (English grammar)

Subject: English | Topic: ART 🎨 | Age: 13 (Kenyan context)

Learning goals

Use correct grammar when giving an oral presentation about art (introductions, describing, giving opinions).
Use linking words to order ideas clearly.
Practice short sentences, polite questions and reported speech for listening and responding.

1. Introductions — short, correct sentences

Start simply: present simple for facts about yourself and the artwork.

Examples:

"Good morning. My name is Amina. I am 13 years old." (present simple)
"Today I will talk about a Maasai beadwork necklace." (future with 'will' for presentation plan)

2. Describing art — main grammar points

Present simple for facts: "This painting shows a rural scene."
Present continuous for ongoing actions: "The artist is using bright colours."
Past simple to tell how/when it was made: "It was painted in 2015."
Passive voice to focus on the art: "The basket was made by Kamba artisans."
Adjectives (colour, size, feeling): "a large red mask", "a small bead bracelet"

3. Ordering ideas — sequencing words

To make your talk clear, use sequence words:

Common words: First, next, then, after that, finally. Also: however, but, therefore, because.

Example: "First, I will describe the painting. Then, I will explain its meaning. Finally, I will give my opinion."

4. Giving opinions and reasons — useful grammar

Use opinion phrases: "I think...", "In my opinion...", "I believe..."
Give reasons with because, since, as: "I like it because the colours are bright."
Use modals for suggestions and polite language: "We should preserve traditional art." / "Could you explain the materials?"

5. Asking and answering questions politely

For listening tasks you must understand question forms and reply clearly.

Examples:

Question (WH): "What materials did the artist use?" — Answer: "He used oil paint and sisal." (past simple)
Polite request: "Could you show the picture?" — Response: "Yes. Here it is."
Tag question to involve listeners: "This painting is colourful, isn't it?"

6. Reported speech — reporting what someone said

Change direct speech to reported speech when you summarise a comment you heard during listening.

Rule: Move verbs back one tense (present → past) and change pronouns/time words if needed.
Example:
Direct: The teacher said, "This beadwork is beautiful."
Reported: The teacher said that the beadwork was beautiful.

7. Articles, quantifiers and agreement

Use a/an for one (a painting, an exhibit). Use the for specific things (the painting we saw).
Many/few for countable (many paintings, a few sculptures). Much/few for uncountable (much paint, little clay).
Subject-verb agreement: singular subject → singular verb. "The artist is" vs "The artists are."

8. Short sample oral presentation (with grammar notes)

Script: 🎤🎨

"Good morning. My name is Joseph. (present simple)
"I will talk about a Kamba basket that I saw at the Nairobi National Museum." (future 'will', article 'a')
"The basket is large and colourful. (present simple + adjectives)
"It was made by Kamba women using sisal and natural dyes. (passive + past simple)
"I think the patterns show community life because they repeat daily scenes. (opinion + because)
"First, I will describe the materials. Then, I will explain the patterns. Finally, I will give my opinion." (sequencing)
"Do you have any questions?" (polite question using Do)

9. Practice exercises

Fill in the correct tense or word:
a) "This painting _____ (show) rural life."
b) "It _____ (be) painted last year."
c) "I _____ (think) the colours are beautiful because they are bright."
d) "Could you _____ (pass) the picture, please?"
Change to reported speech:
Direct: The guide said, "The Maasai necklace is made of glass beads."
Reported: _______________________________
Correct the sentence (subject-verb agreement / article):
"The artists paints a beautiful painting about Lamu." → _______________________________
Put these words in the correct order to make a sentence (use a capital letter and full stop):
"explains / then / the student / the meaning / will" → _______________________________

Answers

a) shows b) was c) think d) pass
The guide said that the Maasai necklace was made of glass beads.
The artists paint a beautiful painting about Lamu. → Correction: The artist paints a beautiful painting about Lamu. OR better: The artist paints a beautiful painting about Lamu. (use singular 'artist' with 'paints')
"Then the student will explain the meaning."

Quick tips for a good oral presentation

Use short, correct sentences — listeners (and teachers) understand better.
Use linking words to show order and cause.
Report what people said using reported speech when summarising listening parts.
Speak clearly, use polite questions, and check subject-verb agreement.

Note: These grammar points help you both when you speak and when you listen during presentations about Kenyan art (e.g., beadwork, baskets, paintings). Good grammar makes your ideas clear and helps listeners follow your talk. ✨

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