The document discusses different types of teaching and learning situations at the University of Aberdeen. It describes seminars as taking place in small groups where the emphasis is on discussion, sharing ideas, and evaluating concepts. Lectures are defined as occurring in large groups where students mainly listen to an explanation of ideas. Tutorials involve one-on-one meetings between a lecturer and student to provide feedback and clarify understanding. The document also addresses common concerns students have about participating in discussions and provides tips for overcoming them. It emphasizes the importance of asking questions in seminars to further understanding.

1. ABERDEEN 2040
Week 1
Seminars
Taking Part in Seminars
PSE 10

2. Discussion
1) Being part of a large group and listening to a lecturer or
teacher talking
2) Being part of a smaller group and actively participating in the
class.
3) Being in a one-to-one situation and discussing your work with
your teacher.
1. Which of the following learning situations are most
effective for you?

3. Different Types of Teaching in UoA
1. Takes place in large groups & students mainly listen to
someone explaining ideas and concepts
2. A one to one meeting in which the lecturer gives feedback on
work and helps clarify a students understanding
3. Takes place in small groups. The emphasis is on discussion and
sharing, applying and evaluating ideas.
a) Seminar b)lecture c) tutorial
Match - Use chat to share your answers

4. Different Types of Teaching in UoA
1. Takes place in large groups & students mainly listen to
someone explaining ideas and concepts Lecture
2. A one to one meeting in which the lecturer gives feedback on
work and helps clarify a students understanding Tutorial
3. Takes place in small groups. The emphasis is on discussion and
sharing, applying and evaluating ideas. Seminar
a) Seminar b)lecture c) tutorial
Match - Use chat to share your answers

5. Evaluating discussion skills
1) Discuss with a partner to find out about their ability to
take part in group discussions in English (OxEAP p8)

6. 1. I am not very confident about speaking in groups
2. I am worried that I will say something stupid
3. I don’t see the importance of contributing my ideas. The
teacher should tell me the correct answer
4. I am too slow by the time I think of what to say the
conversation has moved on
5. In my country students are not expected to speak in class
Common problems & Fears
Put your hand up if any of these are true for you

7. 1. I am not very confident about speaking in groups the more
you contribute the easier it gets
2. I am worried that I will say something stupid reading &
preparing for seminars
3. I don’t see the importance of contributing my ideas. The
teacher should tell me the correct answer you learn more by
trying to articulate your understandings
4. I am too slow by the time I think of what to say the
conversation has moved on this is difficult
5. In my country students are not expected to speak in class this
is an important aspect of UK HE education
Common problems & Fears
Put your hand up if any of these are true for you

8. Task 2 exercise 1 p8
Listen to group discussion
1 Where are the students from ?
2 What is the main point each student makes about their education system?
Put your answers in chat
Today we are going to focus on questions
Oxford EAP Unit 1 p8

9. UAE
• Public schools – taught in Arabic
• Private schools – taught in English & better facilities
Korea
• Most people go to state schools which are good
• Very competitive – most people go to additional classes in the
afternoons &big classes of 40
Brazil
• Classes noisy & you need to pay to go to a good school
Today we are going to focus on questions
Oxford EAP Unit 1 p8 (Task 2 ex1 answers)

10. Task 2 exercise 2
Listen again and note down 6 more questions that are asked.
Two have been done for you
So these private schools – how are they different?
It must be expensive, is it?
Today we are going to focus on questions
Oxford EAP Unit 1 p8

11. Task 2 exercise 2 Answers:
So you have two education systems?
So do you have to pay to go to the privates schools?
What about in Korea? Is it a similar situation, or…?
Are the classes big? What about the classes?
Why? How is it different in Brazil?
Anyway, what about your universities?
Today we are going to focus on questions
Oxford EAP Unit 1 p8

12. Open questions ( where many answers are possible)
What , where, why, when who
What are the most important universities in your country?
Closed questions (yes /no answers)
Do, Does, Is, Are
Do you have to pay to go to private school?
Asking Questions
Question Forms : Information Questions

13. Asking Questions
Question forms (continued OxEAP p9)

14. Complete the questions with do, does, is or are
1. Which the best university in your country?
2. You prefer studying individually or in groups?
3. Why you planning to study English?
4. How the university application system work?
Put your answers in Chat
Answering Questions
Task 3 p9 exercise1

15. 1. Which is the best university in your country?
2. Do you prefer studying individually or in groups?
3. Why are you planning to study English?
4. How does the university application system work?
Do, does, is or are
Answering Questions
Task 3 p9 exercise1 (answers)

16. Complete questions a-f with the following words: What, where,
why, when, who, how which
a. ___ is responsible for student welfare?
b. ___ university system do you think is better ?
c. ___ do you hope to learn this year?
d. ___ do lectures start and _____ long are they?
e. ___ do you hope to graduate?
f. ___ is reading academic texts so difficult?
Answering Questions
P9 Task 3 exercise 2

17. a. Who is responsible for student welfare?
b. Which university system do you think is better ?
c. What do you hope to learn this year?
d. When do lectures start and how long are they?
e. When do you hope to graduate?
f. Why is reading academic texts so difficult?
Answering Questions
P9 Task 3 exercise 2 (answers)

18. In groups, ask each other questions about teaching and learning in the
University of Aberdeen. You could think about the following:
Assessment
Timetables
Hours of study
Lecturer expectations
Answering Questions
P9 Task 3 linked to exercise 3

19. Answering Questions
Why are questions important in seminars?

20. - To understand other people’s ideas & thinking
- To highlight a potential flaw in other people’s arguments or
ideas
- To develop your critical thinking skills
Answering Questions
Why are questions important in seminars?

21. - To understand other people’s ideas & thinking
- To highlight a potential flaw in other people’s arguments or ideas
- To develop your critical thinking skills
Some example questions:
What about that would seem to suggest a different approach?
You make a lot of valid points but which do you think are the most
important?
You talk about stress as being more important could you break that down a
bit?
Answering Questions
Why are questions important in seminars?