Group Discussions

Group Discussions

Adapted from: Wallace, Michael J. Study Skills in English. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2001.

Why Group Discussions? Learn how to focus on a topic and arrive at a consensus in a group situation. Force you to think critically and learn from each other actively. Practice how to interact with others and express your opinion constructively. Improve your English speaking and listening skills.

Presenting Opinions When responding to an idea, you have to decide whether… - You agree; - You disagree; or - You aren’t sure.

Presenting Opinions When you agree… - Do you agree completely? - Do you agree partly? - What are your supporting reasons or arguments?

Presenting Opinions When you disagree… - It’s okay to disagree. - You must respect different opinions. - Remember, you might be wrong!

Presenting Opinions When you don’t know… - Have you understood the idea completely? - Do you want more evidence?

Expressing agreement… - “I couldn’t agree more about…” - “On the whole, I think the argument is fair in that…” - “I think you are right in saying that…” - “All right, I take your point that…”

Asking for more evidence… - “Are you saying that…?” - “Am I correct in assuming that…?” - “Sorry I didn’t quite get the point. Would you mind saying it again?” - “May I ask what you mean by…?”

Expressing disagreement…(1) - “I am afraid I can’t agree with you on the point that…” - “I must say that I am not totally convinced…” - “May I suggest another view/explanation?” - “You have a point there but…”

Expressing disagreement…(2) - “Sorry, I really cannot accept your view that…” - “I beg to disagree with your opinion about…” - “I am not sure that I agree with you entirely on the reason that…”

Expressing disagreement…(3) Expressions to AVOID - “I think you are wrong…” - “I don’t see your point at all…” - “You have misunderstood the issue…” - “What makes you so sure that…?”

Coming into a discussion… - “I would like to say more on your point about…” - “May I come in on this point?” - “Could I say something about…” - “I wonder if I could say something on…

Changing your mind… - “On reflection, I think you were quite right in saying that…” - “I’d like to take back what I said about…” - “Come to think of it, you have a point there when you said…” - “I see. So it means it’s better to say…”

Summing up… - “The main points that have been made are…” - “If I could just sum up the discussion, let me say…” - “Let me try to pull the threads together…” - “I think we are basically in agreement on…”

Group Discussions Practice by saying these expressions aloud.

Group Discussions Useful Links Video: http://elc.polyu.edu.hk/EAP/Activities/seminartransition.htm http://elc.polyu.edu.hk/EAP/Audio-visual/