Mike’s Blog
Strategies, Ideas and Insights for Teachers and Leaders
Tag: discussion strategies
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Why is putting a work discussion in your lesson plan a good way to help learners develop their speaking and listening skills while also getting them to think more critically?
Work Discussion Discussion Strategy: Explanation The teacher sets learners a major piece of work. Examples of what this might entail include an extended piece of writing, an independent project or…
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An overlooked activity that gets learners defending a position, building their confidence, and developing their ability to justify their ideas
‘Defend Your … X’ Discussion Strategy: Explanation Defending something orally or in writing takes a high level of skill. You need to persuasively advance your own arguments and critique the…
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Use this simple discussion activity to get every learner in your classroom engaged in debate and refining their thinking
Speed Debating Discussion Strategy: Explanation Present learners with a statement related to the topic of study. Divide the class in two. Explain that one half of the class will be…
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What is the round table classroom discussion strategy, how does it work, and how can you use it to motivate your learners?
Round Table Discussion Strategy: Explanation Round Table is an unstructured discussion activity in which learners take the lead. In terms of numbers, I’d suggest the following: The deciding factor will…
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Bring the PhD viva experience to your classroom and challenge learners to articulate themselves with clarity
Viva Discussion Strategy: Explanation A viva, or viva voce, is an oral examination, usually undertaken by PhD learners and used in some other educational settings. It involves one or more…
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Why you should use the ‘examination committee’ discussion strategy in your classroom to get learners talking, thinking and debating
Examination Committee Discussion Strategy: Explanation For this activity, you’ll need several pieces of work produced by learners, based on the topic of study. This could be work produced by your…
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Discover how to develop your learners’ oracy skills by utilising the set-up of a job interview
Job Interview Discussion Strategy: Explanation This activity is best used towards the end of a unit of work. Explain to your class that several learners will be applying for jobs…
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Socratic Dialogue is over 2500 years old, yet still retains the power to create wonderful discussion opportunities today
Socratic Dialogue Discussion Strategy: Explanation Socrates was an ancient Greek philosopher. He is known to us through the writings of his pupil, Plato. In Plato’s books, Socrates discusses ideas with…
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Why using ‘What If…?’ discussions is a secret shortcut to creative thinking in your classroom
What If … ? Discussion Strategy: Explanation This activity is all about speculation. It encourages learners to discuss possibilities and to imagine what might be the case. It challenges them…
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Unlock the potential of one of the UK’s longest running TV programmes to create engaging discussion activities for your learners
Question Time Discussion Strategy: Explanation This activity is based on the long-running BBC television programme of the same name. It is best used when there are a series of different…