Notes on Effective Participation in Discussions

Introduction

• Topic: How to participate effectively in a discussion in English
• Sample topic: Is it better to study online or in a regular classroom?
• Aim: Listen for expressions and phrases used by native speakers in a discussion.

Discussion Participants

• Ronnie
• Alex
• James
• Adam
• Rebecca (Instructor)

Key Points from the Discussion

Arguments for Studying Online

• Convenience:
  • Students can study at their own pace and time.
  • Example: Some prefer studying at night when it’s quiet.

Counterarguments for Online Study

• Motivation:
  • Online study requires self-motivation.
  • Classroom environment provides motivation from teachers and peers.

Accessibility Issues

• Cost:
  • Some students may not afford classroom education.
  • Online resources can be free and more accessible.

Importance of Soft Skills

• Interaction:
  • Soft skills (e.g., communication) are harder to develop online due to lack of face-to-face interactions.

Distractions in Classroom Learning

• Focus:
  • Classmates can distract from personal learning goals.
  • Need to cater to group dynamics can detract from focus.

Resources and Quality of Learning

• Quality of Resources:
  • Classrooms may have boring materials; online resources can be more engaging.
  • Importance of evaluating the quality of online resources.

Conclusion from the Discussion

• Both online and classroom learning have their pros and cons.
• Acknowledgment that different methods can benefit different students.

Expressions and Phrases Reviewed

Expressing Opinions

• "I think that it's actually very good to study online."
• Alternative: "I believe..."

Contradicting Statements

• "That's true, but..."
• "However..."
• "Yeah, but..."

Acknowledging Contributions

• "You make a very good point, but I would also like to add..."
• Recognizes others' contributions before adding own perspective.

Interrupting Politely

• "May I say something?" - A polite interruption
• "Sorry, but..." - Impolite interruption example.

Holding the Floor

• "Please let me finish." - Establishes speaker's position.

Returning to a Point

• "As I was saying..." - Used after an interruption.

Acknowledging Other Views

• "Don't get me wrong..." - Recognizes another viewpoint while defending one's own.

Summarizing the Discussion

• "In conclusion..."
• "In a nutshell..."
• "Can we sum up by saying..." - Shows collaborative ending to the discussion.

Final Thoughts

• The discussion provided useful expressions for effective participation.
• Further resources available at www.engvid.com for additional practice and quizzes.