Managing Presentation Anxiety Through Structure | Learn Japanese in English

Japanese lesson set in a contemporary Tokyo everyday setting: During an academic tutoring session, a student and tutor discuss using notes, rehearsal, and flexible signposts to manage presentation anxiety..

EN → JA / Level: B2

About This Lesson

Use Managing Presentation Anxiety Through Structure to practice Japanese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

内容は分かっていますが、発表すると考えが散らかってしまいます。

nyee-YOH wah wah-KAHT-teh ee-MAHS gah, hah-PYOH soo-ROO toh kahn-GAH-eh gah chee-rah-KAHT-teh shee-MY-MAHS. I know the material, but presenting makes my thinking scattered.
B

不安があると、十分に準備していても、発表の構成が乱れることがあります。

foo-AHN gah ah-ROO-toh, joo-BOON nee joon-BEE shee-TEH-ee-teh-moh, hah-PYOH noh KOH-say gah mee-dah-REH-roo koh-toh gah ah-ree-MAHS. Anxiety can disrupt the structure of a presentation, even when you are well prepared.
A

複雑な話のつなぎを急いでしまいがちです。

foo-KOO-zah-tsu nah hah-NAH-shee noh tsoo-NAH-gee oh ee-SOH-ee-deh shee-MY gah-chee dess. I tend to rush through complex transitions.
B

ノートの中で話のつなぎを目立たせると、役に立つかもしれません。

NOH-toh noh nah-KAH deh hah-NAH-shee noh tsoo-NAH-gee oh may-dah-TAH-seh-roo-toh, yah-KEE nee TAH-tsoo kah-moh shee-REH-mah-SEN. Highlighting transitions in your notes may help.
A

難しい部分だけをリハーサルすることもできます。

nahn-SHEE-ee boo-BOON dah-keh oh ree-hah-SAH-roo soo-ROO koh-toh moh deh-KEE-MAHS. I could also rehearse only the difficult sections.
B

そのほうが効率的です。すべての部分を同じように練習する必要はないからです。

soh-noh hoh-GAH gah koh-REE-tsoo-TEH-kee dess. soo-BEH-teh noh boo-BOON oh oh-NAH-jee YOH-oo nee ren-SHOO soo-ROO nee-SHOO gah nah-EE kah-RAH dess. That is efficient, since not every part needs equal practice.
A

暗記しているように見えずに、準備してきたように話したいです。

ahn-KEE shee-TEH-ee-roo YOH-oo nee mee-EH-zoo nee, joon-BEE shee-TEH-kee-tah YOH-oo nee hah-NAH-shee-TAH-ee dess. I want to sound prepared without seeming memorized.
B

決まった文ではなく、柔軟に使える目印を目指してください。

kee-MAH-tah boon deh-wah nah-koo, joo-NAHN nee tsoo-KAH-eh-roo may-JEE-roo oh may-ZAH-shee-teh koo-DAH-sigh. Aim for flexible signposts rather than fixed sentences.

Word by Word

内容 内容 means the content or material being discussed. Here, 内容 refers to the material the speaker knows in 内容は分かっています. A common reuse pattern is 内容を確認する, meaning to check the content.
は は marks 内容 as the topic in 内容は分かっています. It sets up the topic before the speaker contrasts it with the difficulty of presenting. A common pattern is Xは分かる, meaning “I understand X.”
分かって 分かって means understanding or knowing in the ongoing state 分かっています. It links the understanding of 内容 to います. A common reuse pattern is Xが分かっている, meaning that X is understood or known.
います います completes the polite ongoing-state expression 分かっています, meaning “know” or “understand” here. It presents the understanding as a current state rather than a single completed action. The same pattern can describe a continuing state, such as 準備しています.
が が connects the two parts of 内容は分かっていますが、発表すると..., creating a contrast: the speaker knows the material, but presenting causes a problem. It commonly links a statement with a contrasting or qualifying statement.
発表 発表 means a presentation or the act of presenting in 発表する. Here it refers to giving the academic presentation. A common reuse pattern is 発表をする or 発表する, meaning to give a presentation.
する する means to do or carry out in 発表する, so 発表する means to give a presentation. It combines with many nouns to describe carrying out the activity named by the noun. A common pattern is Nをする or Nする, depending on the expression.
と と marks the condition or time relationship in 発表すると, meaning “when presenting” or “if I present.” It shows that the following result occurs when the action takes place. A common reuse pattern is Vると、..., for a result that follows an action or condition.
考え 考え means a thought or the speaker’s thinking in 考えが散らかってしまいます. Here it refers to the organization of the speaker’s thoughts during the presentation. A common reuse pattern is 考えを整理する, meaning to organize one’s thoughts.
散らかって 散らかって means becoming disorganized or scattered in 考えが散らかってしまいます. Its te-form links this result to しまいます, which adds the sense of ending up that way. A common pattern is Xが散らかる, for something becoming disorganized.
しまいます しまいます in 散らかってしまいます means that the speaker ends up with scattered thoughts, with an unwanted or regrettable nuance. It is the polite form used after 散らかって. A common reuse pattern is Vてしまう, meaning to end up doing something or to do something completely.
不安 不安 means anxiety or uneasiness in 不安があると. Here it refers to presentation anxiety that can disturb the presentation structure. A common reuse pattern is 不安がある, meaning to feel anxious or for anxiety to be present.
ある ある means to exist or be present in 不安があると, so the phrase describes anxiety being present. It is used here with the condition marker と to introduce a possible result. A common pattern is Xがある, meaning that X exists or is present.
十分 十分 means sufficiently or adequately in 十分に準備していても. Here it indicates that the preparation is adequate. It commonly appears before に when it modifies an action, as in 十分に準備する.
に に turns 十分 into the adverbial expression 十分に, meaning “sufficiently” or “adequately.” It connects the degree of preparation to 準備している. A common pattern is adjective or noun + に before an action when describing how it is done.
準備 準備 means preparation in 準備していても. Here it refers to preparing for the presentation. A common reuse pattern is 発表の準備, meaning preparation for a presentation.
して して means doing or preparing in 準備していても. It is the te-form of する and links 準備する to いて, forming a continuing state. A common reuse pattern is Nをしている, meaning to be doing or engaged in N.
いて いて links 準備している to も in 準備していても. Together, the expression means “even while being well prepared” or “even though you are well prepared.” A common pattern is Vていても, meaning “even if or even though someone is doing or is in a state.”
も も adds the meaning “even” in 準備していても. It emphasizes that the result can occur despite adequate preparation. A common reuse pattern is Vても, meaning “even if” or “even though.”
の の links 発表 and 構成 in 発表の構成, meaning “the structure of a presentation.” It shows the relationship between the presentation and its structure. A common pattern is AのB, where A describes or identifies B.
構成 構成 means the structure or organization in 発表の構成. Here it refers to how the presentation is arranged. A common reuse pattern is 構成を考える, meaning to think about the structure.
乱れる 乱れる means to become disorganized or disrupted in 発表の構成が乱れる. Here the presentation structure loses its orderly organization. A common pattern is Xが乱れる, meaning that X becomes disordered.
こと こと turns 乱れる into an event or fact in 乱れることがあります. The phrase says that the event of the structure becoming disrupted can occur. A common pattern is Vることがある, meaning that something sometimes happens.
あります あります in 乱れることがあります means that such an event can happen or that there are cases of it happening. It completes the polite expression ことがあります. A common pattern is Vることがあります, meaning “it sometimes happens that...”
複雑 複雑 means complex in 複雑な話のつなぎ. Here it describes transitions involving complicated parts of the talk. A common reuse pattern is 複雑な問題, meaning a complex problem.
な な links the descriptive word 複雑 to the noun 話 in 複雑な話. It allows 複雑 to describe the talk before 話. A common pattern is な-adjective + な + noun.
話 話 means the talk or spoken explanation in 話のつなぎ. Here it refers to the presentation speech rather than a single written sentence. A common reuse pattern is 話を続ける, meaning to continue speaking or continue the talk.
つなぎ つなぎ means a transition or connection in 話のつなぎ. Here it refers to the spoken links between parts of the presentation. A common pattern is 話のつなぎ, for transitions within a talk.
を を marks 話のつなぎ as the object of 急いでしまいがちです. It shows what the speaker tends to rush through. A common pattern is nounをverb, where the noun receives the action.
急いで 急いで means rushing in 急いでしまいがちです, specifically rushing through the transitions. Its te-form connects the action to しまいがち. A common reuse pattern is 急いで話す, meaning to speak quickly or in a hurry.
しまいがち しまいがち in 急いでしまいがち means tending to end up doing something, often unintentionally or undesirably. しまい contributes the end-up nuance, while がち indicates a tendency. A common pattern is Vてしまいがち, meaning “tend to end up doing V.”
です です gives しまいがちです a polite sentence ending. It presents the tendency as a polite statement about the speaker. A common pattern is a descriptive expression + です in polite speech.
ノート ノート means notes in ノートの中で. Here it refers to the speaker’s presentation notes. A common reuse pattern is ノートに書く, meaning to write in one’s notes.
中 中 means inside or within in ノートの中で. It identifies the notes as the place where the highlighting is done. A common pattern is Nの中, meaning inside or among N.
目立たせる 目立たせる means to make something noticeable or to highlight it in 話のつなぎを目立たせる. Here it means making the transitions stand out in the notes. A common reuse pattern is Xを目立たせる, meaning to make X noticeable.
役に立つ 役に立つ means to be useful or helpful in 目立たせると、役に立つかもしれません. 役 contributes the idea of usefulness, に links it to the state, and 立つ completes the expression meaning “serve a useful purpose.” A common pattern is Xの役に立つ, meaning to be useful for X.
かもしれません かもしれません means may or might in 役に立つかもしれません, so the tutor presents the suggestion as possible rather than certain. かも marks possibility, しれ completes the expression, and ませ and ん form its polite ending here. A common pattern is plain form + かもしれません.
難しい 難しい means difficult in 難しい部分. Here it identifies the sections of the presentation that require more attention. A common reuse pattern is 難しい部分を練習する, meaning to practice the difficult parts.
部分 部分 means a part or section in 難しい部分だけ. Here it refers to sections of the presentation. A common reuse pattern is Nの部分, meaning a part or section of N.
だけ だけ means only in 難しい部分だけをリハーサルする. It limits the rehearsal to the difficult sections. A common pattern is noun + だけ, meaning only that noun.
リハーサル リハーサル means rehearsal in リハーサルする. Here it refers to practicing the presentation before giving it. A common reuse pattern is 発表をリハーサルする, meaning to rehearse a presentation.
できます できます means can do in リハーサルすることもできます. Here it expresses the speaker’s ability or option to rehearse the difficult sections as well. A common pattern is Vることができる, meaning can do V.
その その means that in そのほうが効率的です. It points back to the option of rehearsing only the difficult sections. A common pattern is その + noun, referring to something already mentioned.
ほう ほう means the option or way in そのほうが効率的です. Together, そのほうが compares that approach favorably as more efficient. A common pattern is Xのほうが..., meaning “X is the more...”
効率的 効率的 means efficient in そのほうが効率的です. Here it evaluates focused rehearsal as an efficient use of practice time. A common reuse pattern is 効率的な方法, meaning an efficient method.
すべて すべて means all or every in すべての部分. Here it refers to all sections of the presentation. A common pattern is すべての + noun, meaning all of the noun.
同じ 同じ means the same or equal in 同じように. Here it indicates giving every section the same level of practice. A common pattern is 同じように, meaning in the same way or equally.
よう よう means way or manner in 同じように. Together, 同じように means “in the same way” or “equally.” A common pattern is adjective or noun + ように, describing the manner of an action.
練習 練習 means practice in 同じように練習する. Here it refers to practicing the presentation sections. A common reuse pattern is Nを練習する, meaning to practice N.
必要 必要 means necessity or need in 練習する必要はない. With はない, it says that there is no need to practice every part equally. A common pattern is Vる必要がある, meaning there is a need to do V.
ない ない makes 練習する必要はない negative, meaning “there is no need to practice.” Here it denies the necessity of giving every part equal practice. A common pattern is Vる必要はない, meaning “it is not necessary to do V.”
から から means because or since in すべての部分を同じように練習する必要はないからです. It gives the reason why focused rehearsal is efficient. A common pattern is a reason + からです, meaning “it is because...”
暗記 暗記 means memorization in 暗記しているように見えずに. Here it refers to memorizing the presentation so completely that the speaker appears to be reciting it. A common reuse pattern is 文を暗記する, meaning to memorize a sentence.
いる いる in 暗記しているように見えずに forms the ongoing state of having memorized or being in the state of memorizing. It links 暗記して to ように見えずに. A common pattern is Vているように見える, meaning to appear to be doing or to be in a state.
見えず 見えず in 暗記しているように見えずに means without appearing or seeming that way. It is followed by に, forming a way to say “without seeming to...” A common reuse pattern is Vずに, meaning without doing V.
きた きた in 準備してきたように話したい expresses preparation carried out before arriving at the current situation. Here the speaker wants to sound as though they came prepared, not as though they memorized everything. A common pattern is Vてきた, describing an action or state continued up to the present.
話し 話し is the verb stem used before たい in 話したい, meaning speak or talk. Here it introduces the speaker’s wish to speak in a prepared-sounding way. A common pattern is verb stem + たい, expressing a desire to do the action.
たい たい expresses the desire to do the action in 話したい, meaning “want to speak.” It follows the verb stem 話し. A common pattern is verb stem + たいです, meaning “want to...”
決まった 決まった means fixed or predetermined in 決まった文. Here it describes sentences that have been set in advance and are followed exactly. A common reuse pattern is 決まった方法, meaning a fixed or predetermined method.
文 文 means a sentence in 決まった文. Here it refers to fixed sentences prepared for the presentation. A common reuse pattern is 文を作る, meaning to make or write a sentence.
で で links 文 to the negative contrast construction ではなく in 決まった文ではなく. It helps present fixed sentences as the option being rejected. A common pattern is nounではなく、..., meaning “not noun, but rather...”
なく なく in 決まった文ではなく means not being or rather than being, as part of ではなく. The full construction contrasts fixed sentences with flexible signposts. A common pattern is nounではなく、..., meaning “not noun, but rather...”
柔軟 柔軟 means flexible in 柔軟に使える目印. Here it describes cues that can adapt to the presentation instead of fixed sentences. A common reuse pattern is 柔軟な対応, meaning a flexible response.
使える 使える means usable or able to be used in 柔軟に使える目印. Here it describes signposts that can be adapted for use in different points of the presentation. A common pattern is Xが使える, meaning X can be used.
目印 目印 means a signpost, marker, or cue in 柔軟に使える目印. Here it refers to flexible verbal cues that help guide the presentation structure. A common reuse pattern is 目印にする, meaning to use something as a marker.
目指して 目指して means aim for in 柔軟に使える目印を目指してください. Its te-form links the aim to the polite request ください. A common pattern is Xを目指す, meaning to aim for or work toward X.
ください ください makes 目指して a polite request: “please aim for...” It follows the te-form and asks the student to adopt flexible signposts. A common pattern is Vてください, meaning “please do V.”

Grammar Points

〜てしまう

考えが散らかってしまいます。

kahn-GAH-eh gah chee-rah-KAHT-teh shee-MY-MAHS.

My thoughts end up becoming disorganized.

「〜てしまう」は、意図せず起きたことや、残念な結果を表します。

Japanese Vocabulary

構成 noun
KOH-say structure; composition
考え noun
kahn-GAH-eh thought; thinking
散らかる verb
chee-rah-KAH-roo to become disorganized; to get scattered 散らかってしまいます
十分 adv
joo-BOON sufficiently; adequately 十分に
準備する verb
joon-BEE soo-ROO to prepare 準備していて
内容 noun
nyee-YOH content; material
発表する verb
hah-PYOH soo-ROO to present; to give a presentation 発表すると
不安 noun
foo-AHN anxiety; uneasiness
複雑 adj
foo-KOO-zah-tsu complex; complicated 複雑な
分かる verb
wah-KAH-roo to understand; to know 分かっています
乱れる verb
mee-dah-REH-roo to become disorganized; to be disrupted
話 noun
hah-NAH-shee talk; speech; story

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

to prepare

Show Answer準備していて

to present; to give a presentation

Show Answer発表すると

to become disorganized; to get scattered

Show Answer散らかってしまいます

to understand; to know

Show Answer分かっています