Studies indicate that interaction and working with others promotes learning. If interaction is increased in the class, it increases the number of learning opportunities as well. When students learn together, everyone takes part in a practice that promotes their own individual learning. How can interaction and collaboration be easily added to classroom activity? Discussion in pairs is one of the simplest ways to reinforce learning. The noise levels may increase but so will the amount of learning being done!

1. Scoopful of pedagogical tips for teachers
Pair discussion
© Learning Scoop – co-operative learning

2. Partners in pair discussion help each other in their
learning: by discussing, by revising and testing each
other on the subjects that have been covered or by
learning new subjects together.
The two people in the pair need each other in their
learning and both are responsible for their own as well
as their partner’s learning.
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Pair discussion

3. Instructions
1. Divide students into
pairs. Use strings,
cards or different
coloured tabs. Or let
students pick their
own partner.
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4. Instructions
2. Give the task to the
pairs. For example:
Ask each other the
two and the four
times tables. The
person asking may
use a book for help.
Remember to take
turns asking each
other.
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6. Instructions
3. Circulate through the
class and listen to the
students’ conversations.
Guide, help and support
as needed. Give
students encouraging
feedback.
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7. It increases interaction in the class.
It is easy and quick to do.
It can be adapted to many subjects.
Each student gets attention and
can participate.
More advanced students can be leveraged.
It gives quiet and shy students an opportunity to
participate in a safe way.
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The benefits of pair discussion

8. Activating students to discuss the topic
related to the subject.
Revising previous material / mapping pre-
existing knowledge.
Assessing homework.
Practicing something new being learned.
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Where can pair discussion be
used?

9. Language learning: pairs can test each other on
vocabulary, tenses and other grammar topics.
Subjects: pairs can have different texts and they can teach
each other what is in their texts.
Mathematics: pairs can test each other
on calculations or both can solve their
own calculations and then explain them
to the other partner.
Literature: partner reading, pairs can
read out loud to each other.
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Examples of pair discussion

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Providing variety
Not all pairs have to have the
same tasks. The teacher can
give different tasks to different
pairs depending on the students’
abilities and individual
requirements.

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Inspiration from Finland!
Scoopful of pedagogical tips
for teachers:
learningscoop.fi/tips-for-teachers

12. Authors:
Elina Harju
Johanna Järvinen-Taubert
Päivi Valtonen
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