ELYSIAN FOR JR.COLLEGE: GROUP DISCUSSION

Tuesday, April 20, 2021

GROUP DISCUSSION

GROUP DISCUSSION

For Q No 4 (A): 04 Marks

A group discussion is a formal discussion conducted on a topic among a group of ten or twelve participants.

Group Discussions are usually conducted on topics of Four kinds:

1)Factual

2) Social or Political issue

3) Abstract

4) Case Study based.

Useful Expressions for Group Discussion:

Expressing opinions

I believe…… I think…….

Could I make a point, please? In my opinion……

It seems to me……

Expressing agreement

Absolutely You’re right……

I fully agree with…..

Expressing disagreement

I’m afraid I don’t agree with….. I’m sorry but I see it a little differently.

I can see your point but….. You may have something there but…..

I respect your point of view, but I’m sorry I can’t go along with you on……

Suggesting

I think we should…… Why don’t we…..?

Let’s…… Couldn’t we……?

Don’t you think we could….?

Asking for opinion

What is your opinion on….? What do you feel about…?

I wonder what do you think about…..? I’d like to know your stand on…..

Interrupting

I’m sorry to interrupt but….

Excuse me. Could I add something, please?

That’s true. Sorry, but…..

Handling Interruptions

Just a moment please. Could I finish what I am saying?

If you would just let me finish……. Could you wait for a minute, please.

Concluding

To summarise/conclude,…… We can conclude by saying……

Let’s run quickly through the main ideas before concluding the discussion.

Sample Group Discussion

Do you think teenagers should be given Personal mobile phone?

Evaluator : You’ve all been given a few minutes to think on your topic for today’s group discussion.The topic for Group Discussion is,‘Do you think teenagers should be given personal mobile phone?’You may now begin the discussion.

Who would like to start?

Manisha : I think the topic of this discussion is very relevant to all of us here. As teenagers, we are so fond of our mobile phones, and its different features that have become irresistible to us. I feel mobile phones are quite necessary, they are quite helpful for educational purpose, we can get support for their various subjects just at the click of a button.

Anamika : I also agree with Manisha because now-a-days people use smartphones and they can get access to any information they want like travel information, recipes, courses, colleges etc

John : Yes, I would like to add to it. I don’t think students use the mobile phones only for seeking useful information. They use it for entertainment too. They listen to songs, watch movies etc. I am afraid they see unsuitable things too. Moreover they spend long hours on phone.

Anamika : Yes John, you are absolutely right. But, I think parents have made them aware of the abuses of the mobiles and they are mature enough to understand how to use mobile phone productively.

Ananya : Yes, all this is true but don’t you all agree that they do see unwanted things and waste their time in things not suitable for their age group.

John : I agree with what Ananya says. It is a sheer wastage of time, money and energy.

Anamika : I feel that most of the students have forgotten the basic use of mobile phones; they have to travel long distances for tuitions and other purposes. The parents can keep a track of their children. That is the main reason why parents have given them mobiles.

John : Yes, but students have become lazy. They lack concentration, they don’t read books, the phone keeps ringing and disturbs them now and then.

Manisha : Parents, institutions block some sites so that students are not able to view unwanted material. The risk is there but with advantages there are disadvantages too.

Evaluator : All right, everyone. Your time’s nearly up. Could someone conclude, please?

John : Taking the points into consideration mobile is a good and useful tool but a time period should be allotted to the students to use mobile so that students do not become couch potatoes. Eye problems, posture problems, psychological problems have increased. They sometimes become violent if mobile phones are taken away from them. They can use these phones but they should be made to use them judiciously.

Sample Activities For Practice

1)Rahul, Natasha, Jija and Gaurang are participating in a Group Discussion.The evaluator has given them a topic, “Online Education is better than offline Education,” write suitable dialogues for each participant giving his/her opinion

on the topic.

2)There is an inter-College Cricket tournamentat and your college is losing. As you are the captain, have a group discussion with your teammates in the tea break about the strategy to be followed to save your college from losing the match.

Give at least four to five suggestions.

3)Imagine that your E.V.S Teacher has given different topics to all the students for preparing EVS project as a part of Annual Project submission for the Board Examination.

Prepare a short Group discussion between you (Rahul) and your friends Rohit,Vicky on the project and other details.