Discussion Techniques for English Minors

Discussion Techniques for English Minors Language to have a discussion in English

Rules! Speak If you do not discuss in class you will get 0 points Give an opinion No right opinion and no wrong opinion (everyone can be correct)

Rules 1. Always give a reason for your opinion a. Yes, good B. Yes, I agree with that because… C. I hungry

Learn the discussion techniques I teach you each week A. Yeah! B. In my opinion, I feel that…. C. I’m sleepy

Learn the Vocabulary Traffic jam means: A. many cars stopped in place unable to move B. Mexico C. kao mun gai

Listen to the CD Listen and read in your book at the same time!

Discuss in class Discuss as a class 1 Point for each opinion made (score of 2.5) Be prepared: do self study each week for homework

For homework Listen to the CD appendix and pre-read for next week topic: Topic 2

Then next week: Topic 2. -Learn the new topic. -learn new language technique -learn new vocabulary -listen -discuss from book 5 points again

Discuss in groups Group of 3, 4, or 5 kons (people) Present your discussion (there will be no script allowed in test) But you should make script to prepare so I can check your grammar and ideas 2.5 points

Discussion in groups There are 2 points for group presentation. No discussion technique - points Robot - points Bad pronunciation - points No good ideas, opinions - points

Pronunciation You must have good pronunciation when you present Same as a real discussion Same as you understand what you say

Pronunciation Example I think that kao mun gai is the best foodbecause it isa fast and easy meal to cook and it is not too spicy and there is a lot of protein in chicken.

Scoring 5 points every week for discussing (if you come to class and speak with good ideas, good language techniques, and good pronunciation, Not shy, Cheer for Mexico you can get 5 points every class)

You must use all these basic language techniques from the book Give opinion Agree softly Agree strongly Disagree softly Disagree strongly Neutral (it depends

Give opinion I think that… I believe that… In my opinion… In my view… This is how I see it

Agree softly I agree I think so too That’s true That’s a good point

Agree strongly I totally agree! I completely agree! That is so true You said it! I couldn’t have said it better! I agree with you 100% Right on

Neutral :-/ I am not sure because…. I don’t know because I think….

Disagree softly I don’t agree I don’t think so I agree but… Maybe but…

Disagree strongly I don’t think so at all! I completely disagree! I totally disagree! No way! That is ridiculous! That is way off! I don’t see it that way at all

Summary Give opinion: In my view I believe that Agree softly: I think so That’s true Agree strongly: I completely disagree I totally agree! That is so true! Disagree softly: I don’t think so That’s not true Disagree strongly: I completely disagree I don’t think so at all! That is ridiculous! That depends: That depends if…..or not

Topic 1 Traffic Jam What is it? How long is your commute (journey) to school? How do you come to school?

vocabulary Flood of cars Terrible Downtown Traffic circulates Happy situation Accident Inconvenient Permits Residents Parking places Maximum Speed limit System Common Public transportation Limited solution

Listen to the CD and read Listen and read at the same time – page 14 Answer the questions: What do traffic jams cause? Where is Sao Paolo? Where is Taipei? What are governments doing? Why are there no traffic jams in Singapore? Why are there no traffic jams in London? Why are there no traffic jams in Amsterdam? Why are there no traffic jams in Roi-et? Would these systems work in Bangkok? Why won’t it work in LA?

Discuss Page 15 A Bangkok should copy Singapore? Or That is impossible

Discuss People can not give up their cars Or People can learn to use public transportation

Discuss We should add more public transportation Or Bangkok has no more money for public transportation Or Bangkok has MRT, BTS, buses, vans, taxis, motorcycles: it is enough already!

Discuss We will use electric cars one day Or Electric cars are too expensive!

Discuss WE should copy LA Or Bangkok cannot copy LA because…

Discuss We should copy Amsterdam Or Bangkok can not copy Amsterdam because…

Any other ideas? Remember: Possible 2 points for discussion today Example:

Week 3 Discuss in your group What should Bangkok do about traffic jams? 3 good sentences each Can be: (agree, disagree, or opinion – allwith because) script allowed Good luck 

Your team Everyone: Give opinion Kon A: Agree Strongly Kon B: Disagree Strongly Kon C: Neutral Kon D: Up to you but softly Kon E: Up to you but softly

Example A. I think the Bangkok government should….. B. What a good idea. That is a great idea because …. C. I completely disagree. I think . What do you think, D? D. I am not sure. I think that….. A. Hmmm in my view, Bangkok should …….. because…. D. I don’t think that’s true. …….. B. No way D, A has a good idea because…. C. Well, in my opinion, that cannot work in Bangkok because it…. B. I don’t see it that way. Nowadays,….. Continue this is…….not finished

Homework Prepare Read and listen to CD for next unit

Topic 2 What’s for dinner? What does eating meat do to the environment?

Language Technique Today’s new language technique is: Neutral: I am not sure, I think that…. It depends if… I can see it from both sides Both sides have good points

Practice with “depends” It depends: It depends if… Example Uruguay will win the World Cup: It depends if they have good luck It depends if they can win the next game It depends if they don’t get injuries

Try I will eat kao mun gai for lunch IF…. I will get an A …..

Unit 7 warm up Are you a vegetarian? What are the four basic meats? How often do you eat meat? Do you think eating meat hurts the environment? (see diagram on board)

Vocabulary for Unit 7 Lecture Pay attention Destroy the environment Our nature Rain forests Addicted cattle

Answer the questions Page 35 1-5 Answer What do you think? Mark: stop eating meat doesn’t help the environment much Shingo: the fast food restaurants are bad Iris: Vegetarian style is good Anna: We should eat just sometimes

Your ideas Could you give up beef? Could you give up junk food? What else is bad about too much junk food? What are examples of healthy food?

In your group Discuss for points 3 sentences each, there is one neutral opinion per discussion. Go Uruguay! “There are too many fast food restaurants in every country and people become addicted to junk food causing many problems.” Or “People lead busy lives and we need many fast food restaurants. We should have a choice to eat there. There are other ways to save the rain forests.”

Unit 1 First impressions… • What is a ‘first impression’? • Why are first impressions important? • What was your first impression of seeing Mexico’s football team?

Language techniques • Step One: • Learn the discussion technique for today: • Today’s is ‘INSPIRE’

IN your group today: • Must have: • Give opinion • Agree or disagree strongly • Neutral (it depends) • Inspire!

Four skills to a discussion • What are the Four Group Discussion Skills? • L… • C… • I…. • P…

Answer • Leadership • Communication • Interpersonal • Persuasive

Discussion Techniques for English Minors