Useful tips for your group discussions:
1. Choose a leader before the group discussions
Useful expressions (for leaders)
1. Opening a meeting Okay, is everybody here? Let’s start our meeting then.
2. Providing background information Peter is going to fill us in on the background.
3. Stating purposes The purpose of the meeting is…
4. Inviting opinions Tanya, what’s your position on this?
5. Stating opinions In my opinion…
6. Interrupting Sorry Peter, but we seem to be sidetracked here.
7. Assigning follow-up tasks Peter, can I leave that with you? Tanya, can you get back to me on that?
8. Closing the meeting Thanks everybody. I’m afraid we’ll have to stop it there.
(For details refer to Powerpoint of lesson 11)
2. Take up a role
Take up a role before the group discussions.
3. Take up a tone when making suggestions
(For details refer to Powerpoint of lesson 9)
4. Elaborate on your suggestions by:
(a) providing additional information
e.g. Shall we provide reusable items? I mean, we can provide refillable items like whiteboard markers and ball pens.
(b) stating possible benefits
e.g. I’m wondering if we could provide refillable items such as whiteboard markers and ball pens. This would also reduce our operating costs.
(For details refer to Powerpoint of lesson 9)
5. Respond to suggestions (1) (agreement)
Yes, sure. I think so. That’s what I was going to say. You’re right. I agree. Absolutely. That’s a good idea/point. I can’t agree with you more.
6. Respond to suggestions (2) (partial agreement)
That’s an option but … It’s a possibility but … Well, I see your point but …
7. Respond to suggestions (3) (disagreement)
Yes, sure. I think so. That’s what I was going to say. You’re right. I agree. Absolutely. That’s a good idea/point. I can’t agree with you more.
(For details refer to Powerpoint of lesson 9)
