Active English Discussion:

1
Active English Discussion An Integrated
Approach to Global Issues
Dr. Andrew Finch
2
Introduction

• Discussion is an activity that demands
  high-level thinking skills
• problem-solving
• critical thinking
• creativity
• deduction
• inference
• putting ideas in logical sequence
• summarization.

3
Introduction

• In addition, speakers need to express their ideas
  and opinions simply and clearly, using
• cooperation
• suggestion
• agreement
• disagreement
• negotiation
• persuasion

4
Contents

• These books therefore offer learners extensive
  training in conversation techniques, in addition
  to development of performance English skills.
• They do this first of all, by exploring
  meaningful, authentic, stimulating topics
• Book 1 Contents, Units 01 10
• Book 1 Contents, Units 11 - 20
• Book 2 Contents, Units 01 10
• Book 2 Contents, Units 11 - 20

5
Learning Styles

• Within each Unit, there is also a focus on varied
  learning types
• Cognitive learning
• Cultural learning
• Emotional learning
• Linguistic learning
• Social learning

6
Goals

• In order to achieve their goals, the books
  provide language input (vocabulary, phrases, key
  expressions, conversation strategies, etc.).
• They also provide many opportunities for language
  output.

7
Input

• Language Input
• Reading passages
• Vocabulary
• Conversation strategies
• Key words and expressions
• Dialogues, Role plays
• Opinion samples
• Online reading, videos, and listening
• www.finchpark.com/discuss

8
Output

• Language Output
• Interactive communication
• Comprehension checks
• Discussion
• Role plays
• Debate
• Puzzles, games, surveys
• Online searching, reading, watching, listening

9
Format

• The format of the books is constant.
• This allows for sequential development of
  vocabulary, phrases and expressions, conversation
  strategies, and language performance.
• It allows for learning content to appear
  consistently, so that students learn new
  information and skills, as well as rehearsing old
  ones.

10
Active Learning

• These discussion books promote active learning
  at many levels. They are not just what do you
  think? books.
• Teachers can be confident that students are
  learning actual language as well as developing
  performance skills.

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5-Step Approach

• Pre-Reading
• Setting the learning schema
• Encouraging active (task-based) learning
• Interactive communication
• Surveys, questionnaires
• Crosswords, Word-searches
• Games, puzzles
• Problem-solving
• Cognition, Creative thinking, Curiosity
• Teamwork, Collaboration
• Answer Key

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5-Step Approach

• Topic Reading
• Introducing the topic
• Comprehension Check
• Think for Yourself
• Background Information
• Online follow-up reading passages
• Meaningful issues
• Authentic language and expressions
• Relevant vocabulary

13
5-Step Approach

• Post-reading
• Developing learning, based on the topic
• Discussion
• Agreement, suggestion, expressing opinions, etc.
• Discussion strategies
• Conversation Strategies
• Post-reading Dialogue
• Key Words and Expressions
• Dialogue Quiz
• Opinion Samples

14
5-Step Approach

• Debate Corner
• Developing performance skills
• Lets Debate!
• Logical reasoning, deduction, inference
• Presentation skills strategies
• Agreement/Disagreement/Suggestion/Persuasion
• Presenting opinions and facts
• Critical listening and commenting

15
5-Step Approach

• Further Reading
• www.finchpark.com/discuss
• Online resources (plus feedback)
• Further reading passages on the topic
• Online videos on the topic
• Online listening activities on the topic
• Active data collection
• Following up on classwork
• Encouragement of curiosity, motivation,
  project-work

16
Contacts

• aefinch_at_gmail.com
• www.finchpark.com/discuss
• http//www.pearsoned.co.kr/
• http//www.longmankorea.com/