Category: English Conversation

group discussion

Group Discussion

Posted on by Ms. Elle

Discussion is a process where people talk, converse, and discourse about something trivial or significant wherein the end result is to express ideas, make decision, or solve a problem.

Good vs Bad Group Discussion

Video by PolyU ELC

Lesson 1

  • Characteristics of an Effective Group Discussion
  • Roles of Each Member in a Group Discussion
  • Steps in Conducting a Group Discussion

Instructions

  • Watch the video
  • Answer the following questions for the class discussion later
    1. What are the things to avoid in a group discussion? Make a list.
    2. What would make a group discussion successful? Make a list.
    3. Name/describe the role of each of the members in the group?
    4. How does a good discussion should start? Describe it.
    5. How does a good discussion should end? Describe it.
    6. Suggest ways on how to keep the discussion going.

Suggested Topics for Group Discussion

Make a list of the advantages of marijuana

Make a list of the disadvantages of marijuana

Talk about the benefits and challenges of the use of marijuana

Discuss about the feelings of the general Thai population about same-sex marriage

Why was same-sex marriage approved by the Thai government?

How can Thai people preserve their culture and tradition in the midst of changing times?

Lesson 2

  • Deciding on a topic for group discussion
  • Mind mapping topic for group discussion

Instructions

  1. Watch the video on how to mind map topics for group discussion
  2. Together with your group members map out your topic on a paper or on your electronic device.
  3. Submit your mind map for consultation, marking, and approval.
  4. Save your work and compile them on your portfolio (paper or electronic)

Lesson 3

  • Group Discussion Script Writing
  • Finish product: group discussion script

Instructions

  1. Meet your group members
  2. Go through the guidelines in writing a script for your GD.
  3. Write/ organize ideas and information, questions and answers
  4. Submit for approval, and practice for the GD presentation (onsite or recorded in a video).

Guidelines for GD Script writing

  1. Moderator/ facilitator open the discussion
    1. greetings
    2. set the objectives/goals of the discussion
    3. explain briefly but concisely the significance of the topic (why do you need to discuss the topic)
    4. take the attendance (can done immediately after the greetings or before the greetings)
    5. begin the discussion (use transitional phrases to move from this step to the next for example, without further ado let’s begin the discussion….)
  2. Discussion proper
    1. Members at this point share their opinion(s), ask for other’s opinion, express agreement, disagreement or partial agreement, ask or give explanation, ask or express clarification, and ask or give suggestion. You may find helpful phrases for group discussion here.
    2. The exchanges among members should resemble a web of opinions, ideas, and questions, answers that are being thrown around rather than a two-way traffic of question and answer just like an interview (refer to the illustration below).
    3. While discussions are going on, minutes are jotted down or recorded by the secretary or any one assigned.
    4. The GD is completed/ finished when the objectives/goals set in the beginning have already been achieved. The moderator will then transition from this step to the next.
Ideal GD Dynamics
Poor GD Dynamics

3. The moderator summarizes the discussion and mentions important and salient points from the discussion.

  1. review objective(s)/goal(s) of the group discussion
  2. enumerate the decision reached
  3. closing remark (thank members and bid goodbye, and remind members of their responsibilities, or schedule of the next group discussion/ activities).

Group Discussion Notes HERE

GD-HandoutDownload

MORE HERE

English Conversation

Posted on by Ms. Elle

Survey Test/Activity

    English Conversation Structure

    basic parts of a conversation

    Lesson 2 Getting to Know You

    sample conversation
    sample conversation

    ACTIVITY #1. Answer these questions with your partner.

    1. Take a look at your conversation e-book, name the different ways of introducing yourself? Introducing other people?
    2. What is SMALL TALK?
    3. What are topics you should not talk about during small talk?
    4. What are good topics to talk about during small talk?

    ACTIVITY #2. Do this activity with your partner.

    1. Look at conversation samples 1 and 2. Label the parts of the conversation according to the basic conversation structure above.
    2. Write and act out a conversation between two people meeting for the first time at a conference.
    • follow the basic conversation structure – kickstart, body, leave taking, goodbye.
    • small talk topics – nationality, home, occupation, workplace,  and the reason why they come to a conference

    HELPFUL VIDEOS

    Lesson 3: Request, Permission, Offer

    • Making a request (การร้องขอ)
    • Asking for permission (ขออนุญาติ)
    • Offering help (ให้ความช่วยเหลือ)

    Activity #1

    1. Familiarize the common expressions used for making a request, asking permission, and offering help.
    2. Practice using the expressions – Go to MAKING A REQUEST PRACTICE and ASKING PERMISSION PRACTICE.
    3. Complete the conversation exercises below.

    Activity #2

    1. Write and act out a conversation involving making a request, asking permission, and/or offering help. (Be mindful of the structure of your conversation)

    HELPFUL PHRASES

    Making a Request

    polite request in english
    polite request in english

    Asking Permission

    simple sentence pattern for asking permission

    Offering Help

    CONVERSATION EXERCISES – 1

    Somchai: Good morning, Madam. ________(1 offer help)____________?

    Nattawadee: Good morning. __________(2 permission)__________________?

    Somchai: I’m sorry, he’s out of the office at the moment.

    Nattawadee: Oh, well, never mind.

    Somchai: _____________(3 offer help)_______________________ for you tomorrow?

    Nattawadee: Oh, yes please. For 10 AM.

    Somchai: Just a minute… _____(4 decline)_____________ he has another meeting at 10 AM. Will three in the afternoon be all right with you?

    Nattawadee: No, thank you. I’ll meet him at his residence tonight. It’s something urgent.

    Somchai: ________(5 offer help)________________ him anything?

    Nattawadee: Thanks. You could tell him that Ms. Nattawadee was here.

    Somchai: I will tell him.

    Nattawadee: Thank you.

    CONVERSATION EXERCISES – 2

    Tom: Hey Jerry, going somewhere?

    Jerry: Yes. I need to pick up the new guests at the airport.

    Tom: ______(1 offer help)___________________?

    Jerry: That would be great! It can be pretty lonely driving alone you know.

    Tom: I certainly know that. Ok, ______( 2 permission)______ quickly grab my bag.

    Jerry: Ok. Oh by the way I forgot to bring my wallet. ___(3 request)___________ bringing it. It’s on my table next to the computer.

    Tom: Sure thing!

    Jerry: I’ll wait for you in the car.

    Tom: OK.

    CONVERSATION EXERCISES – 3

    Follow the conversation in the video. Fill in the missing conversation lines.

    HELPFUL VIDEOS

    Lesson 4

    Complaining, Clarifying, Apologizing, and Thanking

    Instructions

    1. Go over your e-book, unit 4.
    2. Define the following complain, clarify, apologize, and thank.
    3. List down words and phrases used for making complaints, asking for clarification, apologizing, and thanking.
    4. Use 2 to 3 of these expressions in a sentence. Share your sentences with your seatmate.
    5. Complete the conversation in the video below. Practice and present your conversation with the customer service agent.

    MORE HERE