SPEAKING

STRATEGIES FOR
GROUP DISCUSSION
You need to complete your TASK &.

TASKS LANGUAGE EXPRESSIONS

1. Greet the examiners Good morning/afternoon ladies and
& other candidates gentlemen/maam/sir/everyone
2. Initiate discussion Were here to discuss
Today, we are going to discuss
*Do not waste time waiting Lets start by discussing
for each other. Our task today is to discuss
3. Maintain the discussion In addition,
Moreover,
Other than that,
As youve mentioned,
I would like to add that,
& please USE these language expressions

TASKS LANGUAGE EXPRESSION

4. Ask for opinion/ What do you think about that?
suggestion What is your view on?
/reason What do you suggest?
What about you?
Why do you say that?
Why do you think?
Which suggestion do you think is better?
5. Agree with someones Yes, I agree with you.
opinion I agree that
I strongly agree with
I share Xs opinion that
Im of the same opinion that
Yes, thats true
 & more language expressions..

TASKS LANGUAGE EXPRESSIONS

6. Disagree with Im sorry but I do not agree with you.
someones I disagree that
I do not agree that .
opinion I do not think that
I beg to differ on that point.
On the other hand,
You have a point there, but
7. Interrupt I hate to interrupt you, but
Excuse me, but
I hate to interrupt you, but
Sorry to interrupt, but
Can I butt in?
Can I interfere with
 & more language expressions!

TASKS LANGUAGE EXPRESSIONS

8. Make suggestions & I suggest that
recommendations I recommend that
What about

9. Conclude/Sum up So, weve all agreed that

So, we can conclude that
I think we have come to the
conclusion that
In conclusion, we all agree thatis
the best suggestion. Thank you.
 On the examination day, you will be receiving your
question paper on the spot.

Then, you are given 2 minutes to prepare your

points, followed by 10 minutes discussion.

So, what do you do in that 2 minutes?

 Strategy 1: UNDERSTAND THE TASK

Read carefully
Understand
Decide the best option/suggestion
 Strategy 2: FOCUS ON THE TASK

Underline keywords or phrases

 Strategy 3: GENERATE IDEAS

Decide quickly
Elaborate on them OR
Oppose them
Think about REASONS why other options are less
benefial
*Read a lot to build up your general knowledge
to present opinions & to argue
 Strategy 4: DISCUSS

Be calm
Be polite
Take turns to speak
Do not dominate the conversation
Give everyone a chance to speak
Be patient
Allow others to finish giving their opinions/suggestions
Do not raise your voice
Do not speak rudely even if you disagree with someone
Put life in the discussion
 TASK ONE

Lately, the newspapers have been highlighting the

achievements of students who excel in public
examinations without the help of tuition classes,
generating a debate on whether there is a need to
send students for tuition classes. However, there are
many reasons why parents send their children for
tuition classes.
Discuss the MAIN reason why parents send their
children to tuition classes.
 TASK TWO

The ultimate aim of all students is to land a good job

when they finish school, college or university.
Students should therefore start preparing for the job
market while they are still studying.
Discuss the BEST way to prepare for the job market.
 TASK THREE

The Malaysian Culture, Youth and Sports Ministry

would like to stage some road shows in foreign
universities to encourage more young people to visit
the country.
As a member of the Board, suggest the kind of road
show that you think would be most effective in
promoting Malaysia to young foreigners.