presentations public speaking

Opening a presentation when everyone is waiting for your first words

For many Arabic-speaking professionals, the hardest part is not the content. It is starting in English clearly, without sounding too apologetic, too formal, or rushed.

What you need to do at this point in your presentation

The opening of your presentation has one main job: help the audience understand why they are listening and what will happen next. You do not need a dramatic opening. You need a calm greeting, a clear purpose, and a short structure that makes people feel the presentation is organised. In a professional setting, your audience expects you to start promptly, introduce the topic, connect it to their priorities, and explain how you will guide them through the information. For Arabic speakers presenting in English, this is also the moment to control your speed and avoid over-apologising before you have even begun.

Professional English phrases to open a presentation

“Good morning, everyone. Thank you for joining today.”

Use this in a meeting or internal presentation when the audience is already expecting you to speak.

“Good afternoon. I appreciate you making the time for this update.”

Use this with senior stakeholders or busy colleagues when you want to sound respectful and concise.

“Today, I will be presenting an update on the customer onboarding project.”

Use this when the presentation topic is practical and business-focused.

“The purpose of this presentation is to review our progress, highlight the main risks, and agree on next steps.”

Use this when you want to show that the presentation will lead to a decision or action.

“This topic is important because it affects our delivery timeline for the next quarter.”

Use this when you need to connect the presentation to a business priority.

“I will focus on the points that are most relevant to today’s decision.”

Use this when speaking to senior leaders who expect a concise presentation.

“I will cover three areas: where we are now, what has changed, and what support we need.”

Use this to make the presentation easy to follow from the beginning.

“I will keep this brief and leave time for questions at the end.”

Use this when time is limited and you want to manage expectations.

Example opening

Example: opening a project update presentation to senior stakeholders

“Good morning, everyone. Thank you for making the time for this update. Today, I will be presenting our progress on the new customer onboarding process. The purpose is to show where we are now, explain the main risks, and agree on the support we need from each department. I will cover three points: progress against the timeline, open issues, and recommended next steps. I will keep it concise and leave time for questions at the end.”

Weak vs strong presentation openings

Weak version

“Hello everyone. Sorry, my English is not very good, but I will try to explain. Maybe I will start with some things about the project.”

The weak version starts with an apology and sounds uncertain. The strong version starts directly, explains the purpose, and gives the audience a reason to listen.

Strong version

“Good morning, everyone. Today, I will give a clear update on the project status, the main risks, and the decisions we need today.”

The weak version starts with an apology and sounds uncertain. The strong version starts directly, explains the purpose, and gives the audience a reason to listen.

Dos and don’ts for opening in English

Do

  • ✓Do prepare your first two or three sentences exactly, so you start smoothly.
  • ✓Do speak slightly slower than normal, especially in the first 30 seconds.
  • ✓Do state the purpose of the presentation before giving details.
  • ✓Do signpost the structure with words like “first”, “second”, and “finally”.

Don't

  • ✗Don’t begin by apologising for your English unless there is a real technical or communication issue.
  • ✗Don’t use too many fillers such as “actually”, “basically”, “you know”, or “like”.
  • ✗Don’t rush through your opening because you feel nervous.
  • ✗Don’t go off-script in the first minute, as this can make your message unclear.

A simple framework for opening your presentation

  1. 1

    Greet

    Start with a calm professional greeting and thank people for attending.

  2. 2

    State the purpose

    Explain what your presentation is about and what the audience should expect to learn or decide.

  3. 3

    Signpost the structure

    Tell the audience the main points you will cover, ideally in two to four parts.

  4. 4

    Set the interaction

    Tell the audience when you will take questions or how you want them to participate.

Frequently asked questions

How do I open a presentation in English professionally?▾
Start with a brief greeting, thank the audience, state the purpose of your presentation, and give a simple structure. For example: “Good morning, everyone. Today, I will present our progress, the main risks, and the next steps.”
What should I say in the first minute of an English presentation?▾
In the first minute, say who you are if needed, what the topic is, why it matters, and how the presentation will be organised. Keep it direct and avoid long background details.
What should Arabic speakers avoid when starting a presentation in English?▾
Avoid apologising for your English, speaking too fast, using too many filler words, or beginning with unclear phrases like “I will talk about some things”. A confident opening is clear, not complicated.
How can I move from the opening to the first main point?▾
Use a transition phrase such as “Let me start with the current status” or “First, I would like to look at our progress so far.” This helps the audience follow your structure.

Practise opening your presentation in English

Record your opening, then get AI feedback on clarity, confidence, pace, and professional phrasing.

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