DISCUSSION

Discussion
Groups of 5 or 6 students.
Different or same task.
Look for a solution for a problem.
by ranking
by choosing

Practice in class
Discussion
Skills: speaking 20%
listening 80%

Physical message essential.

Posture
Eye contact
Acknowledge understanding
Turn taking not fixed
Attitude extremely important.
What needs to be taught
Brainstorming.

Turn taking

Linguistic chunks:
To agree
To disagree.
 Discussion
Main principles:

1. Be a good listener.
2. Be active and supportive.
3. Ask questions.
4. Disagree with positions (not people)
5. Identify and define criteria.
6. Make decisions
 Discussion
Set roles that may help.

1. Idea givers
2. Devils advocate
3. Chairperson clarifies and confirms language
 Useful language- the
language of agreement
Thats just what I was going to say
You took the words right out of my mouth
I couldnt agree with you more
Thats just the point I was trying to make
Exactly/ Precisely agree with you 100 percent.
That's so true. / That's for sure.
(slang) Tell me about it!
You're absolutely right.
No doubt about it.
Absolutely/ Definitely
Thats just what I think
I completely agree.
 Useful language- the
language of disagreement

I don't think so.

(strong) No way.
I'm afraid I disagree.
(strong) I totally disagree.
I respectfully disagree.
I beg to differ.
(strong) I'd say the exact opposite.
Not necessarily.
That's not always true.
That's not always the case.
No, I'm not so sure about that.
 Useful language-
asking for opinions

What's your idea?

What are your thoughts on all of this?
How do you feel about that?
Do you have anything to say about this?
What do you think?
Do you agree?
Wouldn't you say?
 Sample discussion task
Article 1 Right to Equality

Article 2 Freedom from Discrimination

A group of people are going to settle in
Article 3 Right to Life, Liberty, Personal Security
another planet. They need to choose 6
Article 4 Freedom from Slavery rights that would lead their lives.
Article 5 Freedom from Torture and Degrading Treatment
Please, discuss to choose the 6 most
necessary human rights from this list.
Article 6 Right to Recognition as a Person before the Law

Article 8 Right to Remedy by Competent Tribunal

Article 9 Freedom from Arbitrary Arrest and Exile

Article 16 Right to Marriage and Family

Article 17 Right to Own Property

Article 18 Freedom of Belief and Religion

Article 19 Freedom of Opinion and Information

Article 24 Right to Rest and Leisure

Article 25 Right to Adequate Living Standard

Article 26 Right to Education

Sample discussion task
Most ideas taken from:

Discussion Process and Principles

By Charles LeBeau and David Harrington