READING THE NEWS 2 – A GUIDE TO IN-CLASS GROUP DISCUSSIONS

IN-CLASS SPEAKING ACTIVITY

This Activity aims to:
- Broaden students’ knowledge and enrich their vocabulary related to each topic;
- Improve their presentation and speaking skills;
- Enhance their ability to organize and facilitate a debate/forum/discussion.

It includes:
- Part 1: A presentation related to the Unit topic (10-15’);
- Part 2: A discussion among all class members or all groups (25’– 40’).

Students’ roles are:

- Chairmen (present and facilitate discussion activity)
- Participants (discuss and report their ideas)

THE PROCEDURE

CHAIRMAN PARTICIPANTS

- A group consists of 3-6 Ss,

depending on the class size. Ss - The other students will actively
form groups themselves. engage in the activities that the
- Each group takes turn to be the chairmen prepare.
chairman weekly.

PRESENTATION and Q&A

- The chairmen make a presentation around 10-15’, using the Discussion Prompts in the
textbook. The group also allows time after the presentation for Q&A from their peer.
- Every member of the chairman group has to present and contribute to the task.
- The presentation can be about an introduction to a new concept (a definition and some
examples), a talk about a problem (a pressing issue about the world and some cases related
to that issue) …
- Students should ask for teacher’s feedback on topic and content before their presentation
next week.
 READING THE NEWS 2 – A GUIDE TO IN-CLASS GROUP DISCUSSIONS

DISCUSSION PREPARATION

- The chairmen present 1-2 questions

related to their presentation for
their peers to discuss.
- They can organize this discussion in
the form of a formal discussion
among all class members, a debate
among opposite groups, a forum
with different roles, or a role-play…
- Chairmen allow all their participants
10-15 minutes to prepare their ideas
individually or in groups.
- They should also prepare some ideas
in advance to help their friends if
necessary.
- The participants will work
individually or in group to prepare
ideas for 1-2 questions in 10-15
minutes.
- They are encouraged to present
with a mind map, a poster, or any
visual aid…
- They can ask for help from the
chairmen or teacher for ideas or
vocabulary.
- Everyone has to actively participate
in brainstorming ideas.

IN-CLASS DISCUSSION

- The chairman group assigns one - The individuals or group

member to be a secretary to take
notes of the discussion among
individuals or groups.
- Other chairmen facilitate the
discussion by presenting 1-2
questions in turn, and calling
individuals or group representatives
to present their ideas.
representatives take turn to answer
1-2 questions: present their points,
make comments on others’ answers,
or make counter-arguments if
possible.
- If students work in groups, group
members should take turn to talk
during the discussion.

DISCUSSION SUMMARY

- The chairman group assigns one member to be a reporter to summarize the answer
to 1-2 questions.
- The chairmen allow some time for Q&A if needed.
 READING THE NEWS 2 – A GUIDE TO IN-CLASS GROUP DISCUSSIONS

Charts explaining the roles of group members

Example of the chairmen:

Part 1: Presenter 1 Presenter 2 Presenter 3

Part 2: A – The facilitator B – The secretary C – The reporter

Example of the participant groups:

A – Q1 B – Q2 C + D – Counter-argument or Comment