lectern / console / teacher's desk
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lectern
A piece of furniture with a slanted surface at which one can read, write, or give a speech while standing.
Der Redner legte seine Notizen auf das Pult und blickte ins Publikum.
The speaker placed his notes on the lectern and looked out at the audience.
console
A table or console with technical devices, switches, and displays for controlling systems, e.g. a mixing console for sound or a control panel in a power plant.
Der Tontechniker saß am Mischpult und regelte die Lautstärke der Instrumente.
The sound engineer sat at the mixing console and adjusted the volume of the instruments.
teacher's desk
The desk for the teacher, usually located at the front of the classroom.
Die Schüler legten ihre Hefte zur Korrektur auf das Pult.
The students put their notebooks on the teacher's desk to be corrected.
The meaning of 'Pult' (lectern/console/teacher's desk) becomes clear from the context. In the classroom, it is the teacher's desk; during a speech, it is the lectern; and in a recording studio or power plant, it is the technical control console.
Der Lehrer legte den Schlüssel auf sein Pult.
The teacher put the key on his desk.
The position of a person is expressed with 'am Pult' (at the lectern/desk/console). If you put something onto the surface, you use 'auf das Pult' (onto the lectern/desk/console; accusative), while something that is lying there is 'auf dem Pult' (on the lectern/desk/console; dative).
Der Professor stand am Pult und erklärte die Grafik.
The professor stood at the lectern and explained the graphic.
In the technical meaning, 'Pult' (console) is often part of a compound word that describes the function more precisely. Examples are 'das Mischpult' (mixing console, for sound), 'das Schaltpult' (control panel, for switches), or 'das Lichtpult' (lighting console, for lighting).
Im Tonstudio steht ein großes Mischpult mit vielen Reglern.
There is a large mixing console with many controls in the recording studio.
When a lectern is meant, typical phrases are 'ans Pult treten' (to step up to the lectern), 'am Pult stehen' (to stand at the lectern), or 'eine Rede halten' (to give a speech).
Der Gastredner trat ans Pult und begrüßte das Publikum.
The guest speaker stepped up to the lectern and greeted the audience.
desk
A Schreibtisch is a general piece of furniture used for writing and working. In this context, Pult specifically refers to the teacher's desk at the front of the classroom; Schreibtisch is appropriate when the usual workplace, such as the one in the teachers' room, is meant.
Die Lehrerin legt die Hefte vorne im Klassenzimmer auf das Pult.
The teacher puts the exercise books on the desk at the front of the classroom.
Die Lehrerin korrigiert die Hefte an ihrem Schreibtisch im Lehrerzimmer.
The teacher corrects the exercise books at her desk in the teachers' room.
