Proverb speech

Proverb speech

Pencil and paper
Overview
Using this Resource
Connecting to the Curriculum
Marking Student Responses
Further Resources
This task is about preparing and presenting a short speech based on a proverb.
You will need to explain the proverb and help the audience see how they could apply its message to their lives.
  • Use the 'SEC' technique on writing paragraphs:

Statement explaining the idea
Examples
Comments that expand on the initial idea

  • Use one of the proverbs in the box.
  • Write the main points of your speech on a cue card.

 

​Proverbs

Proverbs are like butterflies: some are caught and others fly away.
 
 
  • As you make your bed, so you must lie on it.
  • Everybody's business is nobody's business.
  • The last straw breaks the camel's back.
  • The proof of the pudding is in the eating.
  • You can take a horse to water, but you cannot make it drink.
  • Familiarity breeds contempt.
  • The one who pays the piper may call the tune.
  • It never rains but it pours.
  • Necessity is the mother of invention.
  • Once bitten, twice shy.
  • The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.
  • Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater.
  • Still water runs deep.
  • A sparrow in your hand is better than a dove on your roof.
  • The future belongs to those who get up early.
  • An old friend is better than two new ones.
  • Out of sight, out of mind.
  • People who live in glass houses should not throw stones.
  • The perfection of art is to conceal art.
  • A book borrowed is sooner read than a book bought.
  • All is not lost that is delayed.
  • Those who never climbed, never fell.
Task administration: 
  • Agree on the length of the speech before students begin their planning.
  • This task has an assessment focus on explaining an idea using examples, and presenting personal opinions.
  • Assessment scoring guides A and B are suitable for this task.
Level:
5
Curriculum info: 
English, Creating meaning, Speaking
Keywords: 
speech, prepared speech, proverbs
Description of task: 
The task is to prepare and deliver a short speech on a proverb selected from a list. Assessment guides A and B are suitable for this task.
Answers/responses: 
The following Oral Language Assessment Guides – Speaking can be used with this resource.
Click for more information about the Oral Language Assessment Guides – Speaking.
Click for more information about the Oral Language Assessment Guides – Speaking.