This presentation examines how Group Discussion can be used as an essential tool for Language Teachers

1. GROUP DISCUSSION AS AN
ESSENTIAL TOOL FOR ENGLISH
LANGUAGE TEACHERS
Vidya Patil
Assistant Professor
Department of English
Government First Grade College, Humnabad.

2. Need of English Language Teaching
“The destiny of India is now being
shaped in her classrooms.”
- Education Commission, 1964-66.
English, as a language has evolved
tremendously and gained
importance over the years. To be
able to speak the language fluently
has become our principle asset and
increasingly essential for
communication.

3. English is the language
of international
communication.
From business to the
arts and sciences,
from education to
technology, competency in English has
become the central skill for professionals
around the globe.

4. The population of
those needing to
improve their
English skills in
order to participate fully in society is on
the rise. As a result, the demand for ESL
courses and competent, compassionate
ESL teachers continues to grow.

5. English Language Teacher
“Teaching is the profession that creates all the others.”
Teaching English as a
foreign language is about
conveying information
to students in an
interesting way and
communicating a love
and passion for the
English language.

6. " A teacher who is attempting to teach,
without inspiring the pupil with a desire to
learn, is hammering on a cold iron." -
Horace Mann (1796-1859)
We can define an effective teacher of English
as someone who possesses 5 I’s:-
1) Imagination ;
2) Innovativeness ;
3) Interaction ;
4) Independent thinking;
5) Interdependence.

7. English language learning is best developed
through exposure to English, meaningful practice
in groups and pairs, and focus on communicative
competence and skill development.
To help our students become
effective communicators in
English, we must provide them
with ample opportunities to
develop in the classroom the
types of interactive skills that most closely
approximate communication in the real world.

8. Group Discussion as a Teaching
Method
Group Discussion is
a modified form of
classroom lecture
where the focus is
shared between the
instructor and the students for information
transfer.

9. A Group Discussion consists of :
* Communication skills.
* Knowledge and ideas
regarding a given subject.
* Capability to co-ordinate
and lead.
* Exchange of thoughts.
* Addressing the group as a whole.
* Thorough preparartions.

10. Useful sub-skills for students :
• Analyse
• Persuade
• Control emotions
• Support
• Use functional language

11. Conducting Group Discussions
"Teachers should guide without dictating,
and participate without dominating.“
• Give planning time either individually or in groups
• Choose interesting topics
• Maintain balance between input and practice
• Use a variety of styles
• Vary group size and procedure
• Encourage to give feedback

12. Conclusion
 Excellent teaching method
 They can take a variety of formats and
are useful for all types of students.
 Raise the students motivation level.
 Increase their involvement in the
learning process.
 Promote the corporate skill of
cohesion as well as analytical skills.

13. They can be done in preparation
for job interviews or as
extended speaking practice
 simply to increase fluency.
Structuring and varying the way that feedback is
given will help the students to identify areas for
improvement.
It is important that teachers be good at
managing and facilitating discussions.

14.  Provide the students with an opportunity to
express their needs, feelings, interests, and
opinions in a non-threatening learning
environment via the realistic and functional
use of the target language.

15. THANK YOU