Managing Presentation Anxiety Through Structure | Learn Dutch in English

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

EN → NL / Level: B2

About This Lesson

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

Dialogue

A

Ik ken de stof, maar tijdens het presenteren wordt mijn denken onsamenhangend.

ik KEN duh STAWF, mahr TAY-duns het preh-zen-TAY-run vawrt mayn DEN-kuhn on-sah-men-HANG-unt. I know the material, but presenting makes my thinking scattered.
B

Angst kan de structuur van een presentatie verstoren, zelfs als je goed voorbereid bent.

AHNGST kan duh struk-TOOR vahn uhn preh-zen-TAH-tsee fer-STOH-run, ZELFS ahls yuh khoot vawr-buh-RAYT bent. Anxiety can disrupt the structure of a presentation, even when you are well prepared.
A

Ik heb de neiging om complexe overgangen te snel af te handelen.

ik HEHP duh NAY-khung um kom-PLEK-suh OH-vur-gahng-un tuh snel ahf tuh HAN-dul-un. I tend to rush through complex transitions.
B

Het kan helpen om de overgangen in je aantekeningen te markeren.

ut kan HELP-un um duh OH-vur-gahng-un in yuh AHN-tay-ken-ing-un tuh mahr-KAY-run. Highlighting transitions in your notes may help.
A

Ik zou ook alleen de moeilijke gedeelten kunnen repeteren.

ik zow OHK ah-LAYN duh MOOY-luh-kuh khuh-DAYL-tun KUN-un ray-pay-TAY-run. I could also rehearse only the difficult sections.
B

Dat is efficiënt, want niet elk onderdeel heeft evenveel oefening nodig.

daht is eh-fee-see-ENT, vahnt neet elk ON-dur-DAYL hayft AY-vun-vayl OO-fuh-ning NOH-dikh. That is efficient, since not every part needs equal practice.
A

Ik wil voorbereid klinken zonder ingestudeerd over te komen.

ik vil vawr-buh-RAYT KLINK-un ZON-dur in-guh-stoo-DAYRT OH-vur tuh KOH-mun. I want to sound prepared without seeming memorized.
B

Streef naar flexibele signaalzinnen in plaats van vaste zinnen.

strayf nahr flex-see-BAY-luh sig-NAHL-zin-un in PLAHTS vahn VAHS-tuh ZIN-un. Aim for flexible signposts rather than fixed sentences.

Word by Word

Ik “Ik” means “I” and identifies the speaker as the person who knows the material. It commonly appears before the verb, as in “Ik ken de stof”, when someone describes their own experience.
ken “Ken” means “know” here, referring to familiarity with the subject matter. The pattern “Ik ken” is used to say that you know a person, subject, or material.
de “De” is the definite article in “de stof”, referring to the specific material being discussed. It is used directly before the noun in this expression.
stof “Stof” means the material or subject matter of the presentation. In “de stof”, it refers to academic content that the speaker has studied.
maar “Maar” means “but” and introduces a contrast between knowing the material and having scattered thinking while presenting. It connects two contrasting parts of a sentence, as in “Ik ken de stof, maar ...”.
tijdens “Tijdens” means “during” and places the problem within the activity of presenting. It is commonly followed by a noun or nominalized activity, as in “tijdens het presenteren”.
het “Het” marks “presenteren” as a nominalized activity in “het presenteren”, meaning “presenting”. The combination “tijdens het presenteren” describes what happens during that activity.
presenteren “Presenteren” means “presenting” in “het presenteren”, referring to giving a presentation. With “het”, the infinitive names the activity itself rather than describing a separate action.
wordt “Wordt” expresses that the speaker’s thinking becomes disjointed in “wordt mijn denken onsamenhangend”. The pattern “wordt ...” can describe a change into a new state.
mijn “Mijn” means “my” and shows that the thinking belongs to the speaker. It comes directly before the noun phrase “mijn denken”.
denken “Denken” means “thinking” here and refers to the speaker’s thought process. In “mijn denken”, the activity is treated as a thing that can have a quality such as “onsamenhangend”.
onsamenhangend “Onsamenhangend” means disjointed or incoherent, describing thinking that no longer forms a clear connection. In “mijn denken onsamenhangend”, it describes the state into which the thinking changes.
Angst “Angst” means anxiety or fear and is presented as something that can affect a presentation. As the first word of the sentence, it is the subject of “kan ... verstoren”.
kan “Kan” means “can” or “may” and expresses a possible effect of anxiety. The pattern “kan ... verstoren” places the infinitive at the end of the clause.
structuur “Structuur” means “structure”, here referring to the organization of a presentation. It appears in the phrase “de structuur van een presentatie” to identify what the presentation is organized around.
van “Van” means “of” in “de structuur van een presentatie” and links the structure to the presentation. The pattern “de ... van ...” is used to show a relationship between two nouns.
een “Een” is the indefinite article meaning “a” or “an” in “een presentatie”. It introduces one presentation without identifying it as a particular one.
presentatie “Presentatie” means “presentation” and refers to the talk whose structure may be disrupted. It follows “een” in “een presentatie”.
verstoren “Verstoren” means “disrupt” in “kan de structuur ... verstoren”. It is the infinitive used after the modal verb “kan” to describe the possible effect of anxiety.
zelfs “Zelfs” means “even” and emphasizes that the disruption can happen despite good preparation. It adds emphasis to the condition introduced by “als”.
als “Als” means “if” in “zelfs als je goed voorbereid bent”, introducing the condition of being well prepared. It is commonly used to connect a condition to its result.
je “Je” means “you” and refers to the person being advised. In “als je goed voorbereid bent”, it is the subject of the subordinate clause.
goed “Goed” means “well” here and describes the quality of being prepared in “goed voorbereid”. It is placed before “voorbereid” to express a high or satisfactory degree of preparation.
voorbereid “Voorbereid” means “prepared” and describes the listener’s state in “goed voorbereid bent”. The pattern “goed voorbereid zijn” is used to say that someone is ready for an activity.
bent “Bent” means “are” in “je goed voorbereid bent”. Together with “voorbereid”, it states the listener’s condition of being prepared.
heb “Heb” means “have” in the expression “Ik heb de neiging om ...”, which describes a recurring tendency. This pattern is followed by “de neiging om” and an infinitive.
neiging “Neiging” means “tendency” and describes a behavior the speaker is inclined to repeat. In “de neiging om ...”, it introduces the action that tends to happen.
om “Om” introduces the infinitive phrase “om ... af te handelen” after “de neiging”. It links the tendency to the action associated with it.
complexe “Complexe” means “complex” and describes the transitions in “complexe overgangen”. Its -e form appears directly before the plural noun “overgangen”.
overgangen “Overgangen” means “transitions”, such as movement from one part of a presentation to another. In “complexe overgangen”, it is the object of the action being handled.
te The first “te” in “om complexe overgangen te snel af te handelen” marks the infinitive phrase after “om”. It introduces the action connected to the speaker’s tendency.
snel “Snel” means “quickly” and describes how the speaker handles the transitions. It appears before “af te handelen” to modify the speed of that action.
af “Af” is part of “af te handelen” and contributes the idea of dealing with or completing something. Together with “handelen”, it forms the action of handling the transitions, rather than meaning “off” by itself here.
handelen “Handelen” means “handle” or “deal with” in “af te handelen”. Together with “af”, it describes completing or dealing with the complex transitions.
helpen “Helpen” means “help” in “Het kan helpen om ...”, where marking the transitions is presented as potentially useful. The pattern “kan helpen om” introduces an action that may be beneficial.
in “In” means “in” and places the transitions inside the speaker’s notes in “in je aantekeningen”. It commonly introduces the place or material where something is located or done.
aantekeningen “Aantekeningen” means “notes”, referring to the written support used for the presentation. In “in je aantekeningen”, it identifies where the transitions can be marked.
markeren “Markeren” means “mark” or “highlight” in “om de overgangen ... te markeren”. It is an infinitive introduced by “om ... te” and describes what can be done with the transitions.
zou “Zou” expresses a tentative possibility in “Ik zou ... kunnen repeteren”, meaning that the speaker could choose this approach. The pattern “zou ... kunnen” presents a possible plan in a less direct way.
ook “Ook” means “also” and adds another possible strategy to the earlier suggestion about marking transitions. It shows that the speaker is considering an additional action.
alleen “Alleen” means “only” and limits the rehearsal to the difficult sections. In “alleen de moeilijke gedeelten”, it appears directly before the noun phrase being limited.
moeilijke “Moeilijke” means “difficult” and describes the sections that require attention. Its -e form appears before the plural noun “gedeelten”.
gedeelten “Gedeelten” means “sections” or “parts”, here referring to parts of the presentation. In “de moeilijke gedeelten”, it identifies the specific parts that the speaker would rehearse.
kunnen “Kunnen” means “can” or “be able to” and completes the tentative expression “zou ... kunnen”. It is followed by the infinitive “repeteren” to name the possible action.
repeteren “Repeteren” means “rehearse” in “kunnen repeteren”, referring to practicing the difficult sections aloud or in advance. It follows the modal verb “kunnen” as an infinitive.
Dat “Dat” means “that” and refers to the proposed strategy of rehearsing only the difficult sections. At the start of “Dat is efficiënt”, it points back to the previous idea.
is “Is” means “is” and links “Dat” with the evaluation “efficiënt”. The pattern “Dat is ...” is used to comment on a previous suggestion or situation.
efficiënt “Efficiënt” means “efficient” and evaluates the selective rehearsal strategy as a good use of practice time. It can follow “is” to describe the quality of an action or approach.
want “Want” means “because” or “since” and introduces the reason why the strategy is efficient. It connects the evaluation “Dat is efficiënt” with the explanation that follows.
niet “Niet” means “not” and denies that every section needs the same amount of practice. It appears before “elk onderdeel” to negate the statement about all parts.
elk “Elk” means “each” or “every” and refers to every individual part of the presentation. In “niet elk onderdeel”, it creates the meaning “not every part”.
onderdeel “Onderdeel” means “part” or “component” of a larger whole, here a part of the presentation. The phrase “elk onderdeel” refers to the parts one by one.
heeft “Heeft” means “has” in the construction “heeft ... nodig”, which expresses that something needs something. Here, each part is the subject that needs a certain amount of practice.
evenveel “Evenveel” means “an equal amount” and specifies that the amount of practice is not the same for every part. In “evenveel oefening”, it comes directly before the noun describing the amount.
oefening “Oefening” means “practice” in the context of rehearsing presentation sections. The phrase “evenveel oefening” describes how much practice a part requires.
nodig “Nodig” means “needed” in the construction “heeft ... nodig”, meaning that something requires something. The pattern “iets nodig hebben” expresses a need for an object or amount.
wil “Wil” means “want” and expresses the speaker’s goal in “Ik wil ... klinken”. It is followed by an infinitive to state the action or result the speaker wants.
klinken “Klinken” means “sound” in “voorbereid klinken”, describing how the speaker wants to appear to listeners. The pattern “... klinken” is used to describe the impression created by someone’s speech or voice.
zonder “Zonder” means “without” and introduces the condition the speaker wants to avoid in “zonder ingestudeerd over te komen”. It connects the desired result with an action or impression that should not occur.
ingestudeerd “Ingestudeerd” means memorized or overly rehearsed in “ingestudeerd over te komen”. It describes the impression the speaker wants to avoid giving while still sounding prepared.
over “Over” is part of “over te komen” and contributes to the meaning “come across” or “appear”. Together with “komen”, it describes the impression made on other people.
komen “Komen” means “come” in the expression “over te komen”, but together with “over” it means “come across”. The pattern “... overkomen” describes how someone or something appears to an observer.
Streef “Streef” means “aim” or “strive” and gives direct advice to the listener. As the opening of “Streef naar ...”, it introduces the goal the listener should pursue.
naar “Naar” means “for” or “toward” in “Streef naar flexibele signaalzinnen” and identifies the goal of striving. The pattern “streven naar” is used when someone aims for a result or quality.
flexibele “Flexibele” means “flexible” and describes signpost sentences that can adapt during the presentation. Its -e form appears before the plural noun “signaalzinnen”.
signaalzinnen “Signaalzinnen” means “signpost sentences”, referring to sentences that guide listeners through the structure of a presentation. In this dialogue, they are contrasted with fixed sentences.
in plaats van “In plaats van” means “instead of” and introduces the option being replaced: “vaste zinnen”. It is a fixed expression in which “in plaats” forms the idea of substitution and “van” introduces what is being replaced.
vaste “Vaste” means “fixed” or set and describes sentences that remain unchanged. Its -e form appears before the plural noun “zinnen”.
zinnen “Zinnen” means “sentences” and refers to the wording used during the presentation. In “vaste zinnen”, it describes sentences that are prepared in an unchanging form.

Grammar Points

de neiging hebben om + te + infinitief

Ik heb de neiging om complexe overgangen af te handelen.

ik HEHP duh NAY-khung um kom-PLEK-suh OH-vur-gahng-un AHF tuh HAN-dul-un.

I tend to deal with complex transitions.

Na ‘de neiging hebben om’ volgt ‘te’ plus het hele werkwoord.

in plaats van + te + infinitief

In plaats van te repeteren, markeren we de signaalzinnen.

in PLAHTS vahn tuh ray-pay-TAY-run, mahr-KAY-run vuh duh sig-NAHL-zin-un.

Instead of rehearsing, we mark the signpost sentences.

Na ‘in plaats van’ gebruik je ‘te’ plus het hele werkwoord om een alternatief uit te drukken.

Dutch Vocabulary

afhandelen verb
AHF-HAHN-duh-lun to deal with; to handle af te handelen
angst noun
AHNGST anxiety; fear
complex adj
kom-PLEKS complex
de neiging hebben om phrase
duh NAY-khung HEHP-un um to tend to heb de neiging om
onsamenhangend adj
on-sah-men-HANG-unt incoherent; disjointed
overgang noun
OH-vur-gahng transition overgangen
presentatie noun
preh-zen-TAH-tsee presentation
presenteren verb
preh-zen-TAY-run to present
stof noun
STAWF material; subject matter
structuur noun
struk-TOOR structure
verstoren verb
fer-STOH-run to disrupt
voorbereid adj
vawr-buh-RAYT prepared

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

prepared

Show Answervoorbereid

anxiety; fear

Show Answerangst

structure

Show Answerstructuur

presentation

Show Answerpresentatie