Group Discussion

I: Types of discussion

There are various types of discussions that occur naturally and which we can recreate in the classroom. These include discussions where the participants have to:

·         Make decisions (e.g. decide who to invite to a party and where to seat them)

·         Give and / or share their opinions on a given topic (e.g. discussing beliefs about the effectiveness of capital punishment)

·         Create something (e.g. plan and make a poster as a medium for feedback on a language course)

·         Solve a problem (e.g. discussing the situations behind a series of logic problems)

Source: https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/article/group-discussion-skills

II: Being a moderator

III: Useful expressions for discussion

Introduction

·         Let’s begin/start with ………..

Asking for opinions

·         Could you tell me …..?

·         What do you think about/of….?

·         What’s your opinion about…?

·         Do you think/feel….?

·         How do you feel about….?

·         May I ask you….?

Asking for an explanation

·         Could you explain to me….?

·         Could someone please tell me….?

·         Just tell me the reason why….?

·         I don’t really understand….?

·         I just don’t see why/what/how….

·         Are you saying that….?

·         What do you mean by that?

·         I beg your pardon?

·         I didn’t quite get that. Excuse me, did you say that…?

Giving your opinion

·         In my opinion/view….

·         If you ask me…

·         As far as I can see/I’m concerned….

·         It seems to me that….

·         I have the/a feeling that ….

·         I think/feel/reckon/believe….

·         Well, I’d say….

·         If you want my opinion….

·         You can take it from me that….

·         First of all/To start with I’d like to point out …

·         What we have to decide is….

·         There can be no doubt that….

·         It’s a fact that….

·         Nobody will deny that….

·         The way/As I see it Everyone knows….

·         Let me put it/this another way….

·         Let’s get this clear (first)….

·         Sorry to interrupt you, but….

·         The point I’m trying to make is….

·         Personally (speaking) I think….

·         I’m absolutely convinced that….

·         My view/point of view is that….

·         The way I look at/see it is this

·         What I actually meant was….

Giving an explanation

·         Look, it’s like this:

·         What I mean is….

·         The reason for this is….

·         The main problem is…

·         Just let me explain….

·         Well, the reason is….

·         Well, the thing is ….

·         Above all we must keep in mind that….

Providing additional information

·         Perhaps I should be more specific

·         Without going too much into detail, I should perhaps mention…..

·         I think it would be helpful to add/point out…..

Sources:

https://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/words/discussions.htm

https://www.eslbuzz.com/useful-phrases-for-group-discussions-in-english/

Useful videos clips.

Discussion

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sb2ZkJuquBg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4fCOa4z1a0 

http://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/exams/speaking-exams/discussion

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vA-E7ryacmI

School Uniform Debate - Behind the News

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIcjqhrHw-I 

IV: Practice: Group Discussion

Instructions:

1. Watch the video clips below.

2. Discuss the topic in the video with your friend(s).