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English for demo (structure, phrases, Q&A, grammar, tips)



The demo at the end of the sprint (whether it’s internal , to the customer or to a large client ) is a real test of English for a non-native speaker, as this short presentation shows:

  • fluency of speech (fluency)
  • accuracy - a lot or few errors in speech in general
  • spontaneity of the language (especially when asked questions)
  • pronunciation
  • grammar proficiency
  • wealth or poverty vocabulary
  • how correctly a person knows how to make sentences (the structures of the Russian and English sentences differ)
  • the ability to structure speech using connecting words (linking devices: eg firstly, secondly, finally, in addition, what concerns, etc.).

What to do with the structure of sentences?


In English, there is a rigid sentence structure - it is not always possible to rearrange words as you want (and in Russian this succeeds with great success).

A reservation is needed: here I did not take into account Inversion - an indirect word order, the purpose of which is to accent some information or introduce drama into the narrative. For example, Little did I realize that I was taking a huge risk. Never again will I use that service!
Inversion is most often used in literary (book) English, in ordinary situations you rarely hear such pompous sentences. Although, of course, it is useful to know.

The most commonly used sentence structures are :

1)Subject + Verb + Object (Active Pledge)
Eg We have added a new feature.

Object + TO BE + Verb in the 3d form (Passive Pledge)
Eg A new feature has been added.

2) There + TO BE verb
Eg There is a new feature in the application.

3) It + TO BE verb + adj. + infinitive
Eg It was necessary to add a new feature.

In Russian, the sentence structure is not so rigid and the words can be more easily rearranged in the sentence and in most cases this will be grammatically correct.

You can say:

  • Yesterday at 5 pm we added a new feature.
  • Added a new feature at 5 pm yesterday.
  • A new feature was added yesterday at 5 pm.

etc.

Passive is rarely used. “Feature has been added” you will not hear often.

Therefore, you do not need to rely on the Russian sentence structure and write the demo text first in Russian, and then translate it into English. So there may be more mistakes. You must immediately think over (or even better write) the sample text of your demo in English.

What grammar to use during demo?


Present Perfect

Very often IT professionals use Past Simple during a demo. However, the demo is a perfect example of why you need to use Present Perfect. The definition of Present Perfect coincides with the statement of purpose of the demo:
actions in the past have a visible result in the present = during the demo, you need to demonstrate what the team did for the sprint .

Eg We have developed a new functionality. (Active Voice)
A new functionality has been developed. (Passive Voice)

Passive Voice

Passive voice is often used in English, which can not be said about Russian. And that is why Russian speakers are reluctant to use Passive.

For the demo, Passive voice is useful because you do not need to constantly say I / We. And he gives the speech formality and impersonality , the result is more important, and not who did it. Naturally, when you need to indicate exactly who did this or that task, you need an Active voice. But Passive also does not need to be ignored.

Eg The feature has been tested. The bugs have been fixed.

Modal verbs

Might / may, can / could, should, have to, must - these modal verbs will help to express thoughts more clearly.

Eg I must admit that ...
Oh, it should work. It's strange that it doesn't.
We might need more time for completing the task than we thought before.
Could you please explain why this button is so important?

Conditional type 1

Naturally, it is desirable to know and correctly use all kinds of conditional sentences. However, this is a very difficult topic for students, since it is difficult to remember all types, their formulas, when what type to use and how to use them correctly. Consider only Conditional type 1, since for a demo it is more relevant than other types. In Conditional type 1 (the real condition), if will not be set after if, although I really want to use the future, since the future is used in Russian. But it’s important to remember the formula:

If + Present Simple, Future Simple

If you have no questions, I'll move on to the next item on the agenda.
If you look at the screen, you'll see the new interface of the product.

Articles

IT-specialists and in general the majority of Russian-speaking students do not like or do not see the practical meaning in articles and often avoid them in speech.

If you do not take into account exceptions (exceptions will take a separate article) and simplify all the rules as much as possible, then the following life hacks can be derived :

1) If you can say one (one) or any (any), then you can count this noun, it means it is countable in the only including the article a / an .

For example, Give me an idea (one idea, any idea). I've got a plan (one).

2) If you can putthis / that (that, this), means a concrete noun and requires the article the .

Can you solve the problem? (this problem) How did you like the demo? (that demo)

Phrases for starting a demo


It is useful to have ready-made phrases in your arsenal that will help you express yourself logically and clearly. In addition, it will be easier for the audience to follow the demo and not lose the thread of the story.

You can start the presentation with the following expressions:

  • Hi everyone! My name's ... I'm the team lead of (name of the team).
  • The issues on the agenda are the following: ...
  • Let's kick off, shall we?
  • Let's get started!
  • Let's start the ball rolling.
  • Let me proceed with the first feature. / Let's take a look at the first feature. Here's how it functions.
  • To begin with / To start with / For starters / First up / First off, I'll be talking about ...

Phrases for moving from one part of the demo to another


During the demo, everything should be stated as clearly and concisely as possible. Jumping from one point to another is not a good idea. In order for the audience to understand when the discussion of one feature has ended and it was a question of another, it is necessary to signal this using the following phrases:

  • Let's move on to the next feature. Let me show you how it works.
  • In addition, we've developed the following functionality. This is how it works.
  • If you have no questions / comments, I'll proceed with the next feature. Now I'm going to illustrate how it works.

How to complete the demo gracefully?


The audience always remembers the beginning and end of any speech. Therefore, it is necessary not only to start and present all the information with dignity, but also to complete the demo must also be properly.

  • Last but not least, I'd like to demonstrate the following feature.
  • Let's recap / Let me sum up the main features.
  • I suppose that's (about) it.
  • Thank you for your attention. Feel free to ask questions.
  • I'm open to suggestions.
  • I appreciate your comments

How to thank a team or an individual?


  • In particular, I'd like to thank Chris. He's in charge of the ...
  • I'm grateful to the whole team for cooperation.
  • This has become possible thanks to Gregory, who ...

How to deal with Q&A session?


  • I'm ready to answer any questions.
  • If you've got any questions, feel free to ask.

If you were asked a difficult question and you don’t know how to answer it, don’t say I don’t know anyway , as this does not sound competent. At the very least, it is necessary to justify why this question is difficult and will remain unanswered at the moment.

Better to say:

  • It's a great question! Thank you. I'll consult my team and get back to you with an answer.
  • Good question! Right now I'm not in a position to give you an answer, because it requires some research. I'll send you the answer (by email, etc.) tomorrow.
  • I can answer you now, but it won't be accurate. I need to double-check / verify some information and get in touch with you later.

What phrasal verbs come to the rescue?


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Phrasal verbs are very often used in speech of native speakers, which cannot be said about non-native speakers. The problem is that there are a lot of them and remembering all this diversity is quite difficult.

The following phrasal verbs are suitable specifically for the demo. I advise you to remember and use.

  • to ring off = hang up, hang up
  • to call sb back = call back
  • to move on to the next point = go to next point
  • to slow down = slow down
  • to speak up = speak louder
  • to sum up = summarize
  • to come up with = come up with (e.g. question / answer / solution)
  • This functionality will pay off in the future. = will pay off
  • to sort out the problem = to cope with / to deal with the problem = solve the problem
  • to kick off = start
  • to hold on = to hang on = wait

General phrases in case of technical (and not only) problems


Oddly enough, technical (and not only) problems happen quite often. To get out of the water, remember the following phrases:

  • I'm sorry I didn't catch that / the name / the date, etc. Could you please repeat the last word / the name, etc.?
  • I'm afraid, the connection is poor / bad. Let me ring off and call you back.
  • Could you slow down, please? I'm not following you / You're speaking too fast.
  • Could you speak up, please? You are speaking too quietly.
  • Sorry, we haven't faced this before. We'll address the problem as soon as possible.
  • We'll prioritize this issue.
  • We'll sort it out first thing.
  • Oops, the screen is frozen. Let me fix it.
  • Give me a moment - I'll reload the product / re-open the feature.
  • Hang on, please. There seems to be a glitch.

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In general, during the demo it is important to speak confidently, loudly, distinctly, making logical stresses and pauses, trying to speak in a monotonous manner. And also, briefly, succinctly, in the case, about 10 minutes. The fact that demos sometimes turn into a boring necessity is also not pleasing. You can try to make the speech more lively and interesting in order to keep the attention of the audience. This can be achieved through rhetorical questions. For example, So what are the benefits that the customer gets with this feature?

Thank you for the attention! I will be glad to answer your questions.

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