STUDY AND WRITING SKILLS
94
9.5
STUDY SKILLS
PARTICIPATING IN A GROUP DISCUSSION
1
In pairs or small groups, discuss these questions.
1
What kind of group discussions do you attend at
work or in your studies?
2
Do you enjoy taking part in group discussions?
Why?/Why not?
3
How do you rate your performance in this activity?
Excellent? Good? Average? Poor?
4
What problems, if any, do you have when taking
part in a group discussion?
5
Think of a person who is good at group discussions.
What abilities and skills do they have?
2
a
9
Four students from a Faculty of Engineering
are taking part in a group discussion at their university’s
Engineers Club. The topic for discussion is: ‘Engineers
are wasting their time doing management studies.’
Watch the video and match the photos and the names
of the students: Sheeba, Jake, Davide and Valerie.
4
a
Body language
Watch the discussion again. Which
student makes each of the gestures below? What does
each one mean? Match 1–4 with a–d.
1
shaking the head slightly from side to side
2
putting forward a hand with the palm forwards
3
moving the arm forward and raising the hand to
shoulder height
4
making open hand gestures in front of the body in
time with important words
a
indicating that he/she wants to speak
b
indicating disagreement
c
stopping someone else interrupting
d
emphasising key points while explaining something
4
b
Which of the gestures would not be acceptable
in Bahrain? What gestures would normally be used in
Bahrain for the above actions?
5
a
9.6
Listen to a college lecturer from the UK
giving advice about how to participate effectively in a
group discussion. Take notes under the headings Do
and Don’t.
5
b
Think of some more tips and add them to your lists
from Exercise 6a.
6
Work in groups of three or four. Choose one of
the controversial statements below. Prepare some
arguments for or against the statement. Then have
a group discussion. Use some of the phrases from
Exercise 3 in your discussion.
• Nuclear power is too risky. It should be banned
in all countries.
• Cloning (copying an animal or plant) is immoral
and dangerous.
• Few people will buy books in twenty years’ time.
• Space exploration is a waste of time and money.
• The dangers of global warming have been exaggerated.
2
b
Do the students agree with the statement? Put a
tick (
ü
) against the name if the student agrees and a
cross (
û
) if they disagree.
Sheeba
F
Jake
F
Davide
F
Valerie
F
2
c
Which person’s opinion do you agree with most? Why?
3
a
Watch the discussion again. Tick (
ü
) the
expressions below that you hear.
Turn taking
F
I’d like to make a comment.
F
Can I come in here, please?
Clarifying
F
Let me explain my point of view.
Interrupting politely
F
Can I make a quick point, please?
Keeping your turn
F
Hang on, let me finish what I want to say.
Bringing other speakers in
F
I think you agree with me, don’t you, Valerie?
Asking questions
F
Can I ask a question, please? What do Sheeba and
Jake think?
F
I’d like to ask Sheeba and Jake a question, if I may.
3
b
Now look at Video script 9 on page 172. Underline
other expressions and add them to the categories in
Exercise 3a.
B
C
D
A
