Intermediate120 min
How to … describe a process
When we describe a process, it is helpful
to break it down into stages. We can use
different phrases to introduce each stage. These prepare the listener to focus on the information that comes next.
To begin with, put the ingredients in a bowl.
The next step is to mix the ingredients.
The final stage is to let the dish cool for five minutes.
to break it down into stages. We can use
different phrases to introduce each stage. These prepare the listener to focus on the information that comes next.
To begin with, put the ingredients in a bowl.
The next step is to mix the ingredients.
The final stage is to let the dish cool for five minutes.
Describing stages in order
| First stage | Middle stage | Last stage |
|---|---|---|
| To begin with, you’ll want to … | The next stage/step is to … Once you’ve done … , (you) … | The final stage involves + -ing form |
Some stages in a process are more important than others. It is helpful to indicate which stages are necessary, and which are not completely necessary.
It’s essential to book early.
Choosing your seats is optional.
It’s essential to book early.
Choosing your seats is optional.
Giving instructions according to necessity
| 100% necessary | a good idea but not 100% necessary | not necessary, but maybe nice to do |
|---|---|---|
| It’s essential that you … It’s essential to … | I would recommend + -ing form | This is optional. If you want, you can … |
When describing a process, it is useful to give warnings about common problems or
mistakes.
Avoid taking selfies with your back to thelight.
Be careful not to hold the camera too close.
mistakes.
Avoid taking selfies with your back to thelight.
Be careful not to hold the camera too close.
Warning about potential problems
Be careful not to …
Avoid + -ing form
One common mistake is to …
Watch out for …
Avoid + -ing form
One common mistake is to …
Watch out for …
Quiz
Question 1 of 10
What phrase can be used to introduce the first stage in a process?
To begin with
The next step is
Firstly
Finally
How to Explain Anything Clearly: A Step-by-Step Guide
Learning how to break down complex ideas and explain them clearly is one of the most valuable skills you can pick up in both your personal and professional life. Whether you're helping a colleague figure out a new software system or showing your neighbor how to set up their garden, the ability to communicate effectively will always come in handy.
The first step is to think through what you want to explain before you even start talking. Take a moment to break down the topic into smaller, manageable pieces. If you're explaining how to bake bread, for instance, don't try to cover everything at once. Instead, break it down into stages: preparing the ingredients, mixing the dough, letting it rise, and finally baking it. This approach helps prevent your listener from getting overwhelmed and gives them clear milestones to work toward.
When you begin your explanation, always start off with the basics. Don't assume your audience already knows the background information. If you're teaching someone how to change a tire, begin by pointing out where the spare tire and tools are located. Build up your explanation gradually, adding more detail as you go along. This way, your listener can follow along without getting lost.
One of the most effective techniques is to bring up real examples whenever possible. Abstract concepts become much clearer when you can point to something concrete. If you're explaining how compound interest works, work out a simple calculation with actual numbers. When you show rather than just tell, people tend to pick up on the concept much faster.
Pay attention to your listener's reactions as you speak. If they look confused, slow down and go over the difficult parts again. Don't be afraid to come back to important points multiple times. Some people need to hear something several times before it really sinks in, and that's perfectly normal.
Visual aids can really help bring your explanation to life. Draw diagrams, use gestures, or even act out the process if it makes sense. When you're explaining how to fold origami, for example, it's much easier to show each fold rather than just describe it. These visual elements help people remember the information long after your explanation is over.
Make sure to check in with your audience regularly. Ask questions like "Does this make sense so far?" or "Would you like me to go through that part again?" This gives people a chance to speak up if they're struggling to keep up. Don't just rush through your explanation and hope for the best.
Finally, wrap up your explanation by summarizing the key points. Go back over the main steps or concepts you've covered. This reinforcement helps ensure that the most important information sticks in your listener's mind. You might also want to point out common mistakes or pitfalls to watch out for.
Remember, good explanations take practice. The more you work on breaking down complex ideas and presenting them clearly, the better you'll become at it. Don't give up if your first attempts don't go perfectly – even experienced teachers and trainers are constantly working to improve their communication skills.
The first step is to think through what you want to explain before you even start talking. Take a moment to break down the topic into smaller, manageable pieces. If you're explaining how to bake bread, for instance, don't try to cover everything at once. Instead, break it down into stages: preparing the ingredients, mixing the dough, letting it rise, and finally baking it. This approach helps prevent your listener from getting overwhelmed and gives them clear milestones to work toward.
When you begin your explanation, always start off with the basics. Don't assume your audience already knows the background information. If you're teaching someone how to change a tire, begin by pointing out where the spare tire and tools are located. Build up your explanation gradually, adding more detail as you go along. This way, your listener can follow along without getting lost.
One of the most effective techniques is to bring up real examples whenever possible. Abstract concepts become much clearer when you can point to something concrete. If you're explaining how compound interest works, work out a simple calculation with actual numbers. When you show rather than just tell, people tend to pick up on the concept much faster.
Pay attention to your listener's reactions as you speak. If they look confused, slow down and go over the difficult parts again. Don't be afraid to come back to important points multiple times. Some people need to hear something several times before it really sinks in, and that's perfectly normal.
Visual aids can really help bring your explanation to life. Draw diagrams, use gestures, or even act out the process if it makes sense. When you're explaining how to fold origami, for example, it's much easier to show each fold rather than just describe it. These visual elements help people remember the information long after your explanation is over.
Make sure to check in with your audience regularly. Ask questions like "Does this make sense so far?" or "Would you like me to go through that part again?" This gives people a chance to speak up if they're struggling to keep up. Don't just rush through your explanation and hope for the best.
Finally, wrap up your explanation by summarizing the key points. Go back over the main steps or concepts you've covered. This reinforcement helps ensure that the most important information sticks in your listener's mind. You might also want to point out common mistakes or pitfalls to watch out for.
Remember, good explanations take practice. The more you work on breaking down complex ideas and presenting them clearly, the better you'll become at it. Don't give up if your first attempts don't go perfectly – even experienced teachers and trainers are constantly working to improve their communication skills.
Break down - To separate something complex into smaller, simpler parts.
Pick up - To learn or acquire something informally.
Come in handy - To be useful or helpful at a certain time.
Think through - To consider something carefully and fully.
Start off - To begin doing something.
Build up - To develop something gradually over time.
Go along - To proceed in a continuous manner.
Bring up - To introduce or mention something.
Point out - To direct someone's attention to something.
Work out - To solve or calculate something.
Slow down - To reduce speed or pace.
Go over - To review or repeat information.
Come back (to) - To return to a previous point or topic.
Act out - To perform or demonstrate something through actions.
Check in (with) - To make sure someone is okay or following.
Speak up - To express oneself clearly and audibly.
Keep up - To stay on the same level or pace.
Rush through - To do something too quickly.
Wrap up - To finish or conclude something.
Go back over - To revisit and repeat content.
Watch out (for) - To be cautious or alert about something.
Give up - To stop trying or to quit.
Pick up - To learn or acquire something informally.
Come in handy - To be useful or helpful at a certain time.
Think through - To consider something carefully and fully.
Start off - To begin doing something.
Build up - To develop something gradually over time.
Go along - To proceed in a continuous manner.
Bring up - To introduce or mention something.
Point out - To direct someone's attention to something.
Work out - To solve or calculate something.
Slow down - To reduce speed or pace.
Go over - To review or repeat information.
Come back (to) - To return to a previous point or topic.
Act out - To perform or demonstrate something through actions.
Check in (with) - To make sure someone is okay or following.
Speak up - To express oneself clearly and audibly.
Keep up - To stay on the same level or pace.
Rush through - To do something too quickly.
Wrap up - To finish or conclude something.
Go back over - To revisit and repeat content.
Watch out (for) - To be cautious or alert about something.
Give up - To stop trying or to quit.
- Speaking Topics:
- 1. Describe a process you recently learned using phrases like 'To begin with' and 'The next step is'.
- 2. Talk about a situation where you had to explain something complicated to someone.
- 3. Discuss the importance of using phrasal verbs and stress in everyday English.
- 4. Explain a recipe or a DIY project step-by-step using phrasal verbs.
- 5. Share a time when you had to break down a complex issue at work or school.
- 6. Describe how visual aids can help in explaining difficult concepts.
- 7. Discuss strategies for making explanations clearer and more engaging.
- 8. Talk about common mistakes people make when explaining something and how to avoid them.
- 9. Explain the difference between stress in single words and phrasal verbs.
- 10. Share tips on how to practice and improve your speaking skills, especially when using phrasal verbs.
Stress in phrasal verbs
A phrasal verb is composed of a verb plus one or more particles (usually a preposition or an adverb). Many phrasal verbs have a distinct stress pattern: the particle is usually stressed rather than the verb. For example:
- ‘give UP’ (not ‘GIVE up’)
- ‘look AFTER’ (not ‘LOOK after’)
- ‘turn ON’ (not ‘TURN on’)
Stress on the particle helps to highlight the meaning of the phrasal verb as a whole. The verb by itself often has a different meaning than the phrasal verb. For example, ‘look’ means to see, but ‘look after’ means to take care of someone or something.
It’s important to note that in two-word phrasal verbs, the particle typically receives the main stress. However, when a phrasal verb is used as a noun or adjective, the stress often shifts to the verb. For example:
- Verb: They ‘set UP’ the meeting.
- Noun: The ‘SET UP’ was perfect.
Also, in some phrasal verbs, stress may change for emphasis or clarity in conversation.
Examples with stress marked in ALL CAPS:
- She told me to ‘TURN OFF’ the lights.
- I will ‘PICK UP’ the kids after school.
- Can you ‘LOOK INTO’ this problem?
- ‘give UP’ (not ‘GIVE up’)
- ‘look AFTER’ (not ‘LOOK after’)
- ‘turn ON’ (not ‘TURN on’)
Stress on the particle helps to highlight the meaning of the phrasal verb as a whole. The verb by itself often has a different meaning than the phrasal verb. For example, ‘look’ means to see, but ‘look after’ means to take care of someone or something.
It’s important to note that in two-word phrasal verbs, the particle typically receives the main stress. However, when a phrasal verb is used as a noun or adjective, the stress often shifts to the verb. For example:
- Verb: They ‘set UP’ the meeting.
- Noun: The ‘SET UP’ was perfect.
Also, in some phrasal verbs, stress may change for emphasis or clarity in conversation.
Examples with stress marked in ALL CAPS:
- She told me to ‘TURN OFF’ the lights.
- I will ‘PICK UP’ the kids after school.
- Can you ‘LOOK INTO’ this problem?
Adverbials of concession
however
We use however to introduce information which contrasts with something that has just been said. We put a comma after however.
Our house was very comfortable. However, it was too small for our growing family.
We usually put however at the beginning of a sentence, but it can also go at the end. This sounds a little more formal.
The trip was very long. However, it was fun.
The trip was very long. It was fun, however.
We cannot use however to join two clauses in the same sentence. We need to make two sentences.
She always did really well at school. However, she struggled when she went to university.
NOT She always did really well at school, however, she struggled when she went to university.
though/although
We use though or although to introduce a contrasting idea or piece of information. We often use it to introduce another side of an argument or opinion.
We can use though or although between two clauses. We
usually use a comma before them.
The film is never boring, though it’s really long.
My flat looks nice from outside, although it’s dark inside.
We can also use though or although at the beginning of a
sentence. We use a comma at the end of the first clause.
Although Jo doesn’t practise much, she’s good at the guitar.
Though I said 2 p.m. earlier, let’s meet at 3 p.m.
Unlike however, we don’t use although at the end of a sentence. Use though instead.
Although the weather was bad, we enjoyed the holiday.
We enjoyed the holiday, although the weather was bad.
We enjoyed the holiday. The weather was bad, though.
Though and although are different from however in that
they join two clauses together in one sentence.
I like swimming, though it’s not my favourite activity.
I like swimming. However, it’s not my favourite activity.
on the other hand
We use on the other hand to contrast a second piece of information with the first. We often use it to introduce another side of an argument or opinion. We put a comma after on the other hand.
It’s difficult. I do think it’s important to think about your future. On the other hand, you also need to enjoy what you’re doing now.
We can use the full phrase on the one hand … on the other hand … to give both sides of an argument or opinion.
On the one hand, we’d love to move somewhere greener.
On the other hand, we love being in the city.
We use however to introduce information which contrasts with something that has just been said. We put a comma after however.
Our house was very comfortable. However, it was too small for our growing family.
We usually put however at the beginning of a sentence, but it can also go at the end. This sounds a little more formal.
The trip was very long. However, it was fun.
The trip was very long. It was fun, however.
We cannot use however to join two clauses in the same sentence. We need to make two sentences.
She always did really well at school. However, she struggled when she went to university.
NOT She always did really well at school, however, she struggled when she went to university.
though/although
We use though or although to introduce a contrasting idea or piece of information. We often use it to introduce another side of an argument or opinion.
We can use though or although between two clauses. We
usually use a comma before them.
The film is never boring, though it’s really long.
My flat looks nice from outside, although it’s dark inside.
We can also use though or although at the beginning of a
sentence. We use a comma at the end of the first clause.
Although Jo doesn’t practise much, she’s good at the guitar.
Though I said 2 p.m. earlier, let’s meet at 3 p.m.
Unlike however, we don’t use although at the end of a sentence. Use though instead.
Although the weather was bad, we enjoyed the holiday.
We enjoyed the holiday, although the weather was bad.
We enjoyed the holiday. The weather was bad, though.
Though and although are different from however in that
they join two clauses together in one sentence.
I like swimming, though it’s not my favourite activity.
I like swimming. However, it’s not my favourite activity.
on the other hand
We use on the other hand to contrast a second piece of information with the first. We often use it to introduce another side of an argument or opinion. We put a comma after on the other hand.
It’s difficult. I do think it’s important to think about your future. On the other hand, you also need to enjoy what you’re doing now.
We can use the full phrase on the one hand … on the other hand … to give both sides of an argument or opinion.
On the one hand, we’d love to move somewhere greener.
On the other hand, we love being in the city.