The aim of this study was to take a closer look at attitudes concerning education using oral presentations as the main activity in Swedish language studies in a Swedish secondary school. To accomplish this, the study aimed to answer the following questions: • In what way do four groups of secondary school students talk about oral presentations in Swedish language studies? • Which preconceptions and attitudes to oral presentations do the student express? • Which discourses are actualized in the discussions and how are these constructed? Secondary school pupils were used as a primary source of knowledge here through the use of four semi-structured focus group discussions. Students were asked questions about their understanding of what the essence of oral presentations is, as well as their experiences, feelings and what expectations they felt were placed on them by their teachers. The material shows a discourse composed of a mixture of excitement and fear. The pupils attribute to the creative side to planning presentations and using esthetic or even electronic media to excitement but also express anxiousness regarding the permanence of spoken word and the stress of potentially making a fool of oneself in front of their peers.