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Vera
English

Presenting in a second language, with questions after.

The talk is the easy part. The Q&A is unscripted.

What Vera actually is

A phone call with someone who is not there. You say the thing out loud, they answer the way a real person would, and you get to do it again — as many times as it takes, with nobody listening.

1She calls youA real phone call, about ten seconds after you tap. Lock screen, headphones, car — wherever you take calls.
2She plays the other personNot a coach reading tips. Meetings & Presentations, with someone on the other end who answers back.
3She pushes when you are vagueFollow-up questions, interruptions when you ramble, and a straight read at the end on what landed.
Start Practising

15 minutes free · no card needed

Start Practising

15 minutes free · no card needed

“What if I am bad at it?”Everyone is, on the first one. That is the entire reason it happens here and not there.
“What if I do not know what to say?”She asks first and follows up on whatever you answer. You never start from a blank page.
“What if it is awkward?”It is, for about twenty seconds. Then it is a conversation, and nobody heard the twenty seconds.

Not practising doesn’t save you anything.

The ticket, the evening, the weeks of applying — all of it is spent before anyone says a word. The practice is the only cheap part, and the only part that changes how the rest goes.

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What she'll actually ask

She asks these the way a real person would, then follows up on whatever you say.

  1. Give me your presentation opening.
  2. I have a question, and I am going to ask it quickly.
  3. You did not understand my question. What do you say?
  4. Summarise your main point in one sentence.
  5. Someone disagrees with your conclusion. Respond.
More about this one

Presenting in a second language is manageable because you can prepare every word. The questions afterwards are the difficult part — unscripted, fast, and often from people who are not being careful with their English. Most non-native speakers rehearse the presentation thoroughly and improvise the Q&A, which is the wrong way round given where the difficulty sits.

What she listens for

Q&A recoveryNot understanding a question is normal — having a phrase ready for it is the skill.
Buying timeA stock phrase that gives you two seconds to compose is worth more than better vocabulary.
SummarisingCompressing your point on demand is harder in a second language and frequently required.

Other English practice

English Job InterviewsInterview-specific English, not general conversation.Business EnglishMeetings, updates, disagreement, and the small talk before the call starts.IELTS SpeakingAll three parts, in format, with the long turn timed.TOEFL SpeakingA timing exercise disguised as a language test.

Common questions

What do I say when I do not understand a question?

Ask them to rephrase rather than repeat. Repetition of the same words rarely helps; different words usually do.

Should I memorise my presentation?

Learn the structure rather than the words. Memorised text collapses badly once you are interrupted.

How do I handle fast speakers?

Practise asking people to slow down. It is a normal request and most speakers do it happily.

Ready to try it?

Your first 15 minutes are free. No card required.

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