Blog 2 Some opinions towards group discussion

Group discussion is an extremely effective way for us to lay solid foundation for our English speaking skills. However, during my past discussions with my classmates, I found several problems which we should pay attention to and solve them urgently.

In the first place, we are taking bridging courses for ENGLISH. Our discussions aim at improving our ENGLISH skills. Therefore, we are expected to speak English as much as possible. Despite the fact that there are plenty of words that we can not express in English, if you push yourself hard enough, there is always a method to paraphrase those words. We often move backwards to Chinese in that kind of situation. What if we were speaking to a native speaker and he knew nothing about Chinese? We have to think for a proper way to make ourselves understood, during which we employ our energy and train our brains.

All of us are excellent students from all parts of China. The questions we face with in our discussions don’t involve with much academic knowledge. Therefore, I believe any single one of us is capable of getting over the problem. However, are we too confident in ourselves? We can solve simple problems alone now, what about in future when problems are complicated and are so huge that need the whole group to exert their strengths? We are doing GROUP discussions and everyone is supposed to take part in them. Cooperation is the key to success. We all have clear ideas, and what we should do is not only to express our own ideas, but also to have an open mindset to listen to others and to be prepared to deny ourselves, not just others, at any time. Once a person comes up with an idea, he usually considers it the best one in the world. As a contrast, an outstanding man will always calm down and think over and over again, and he is willing to accept others’ ideas. He may feel upset when he finds his idea is filled with flaws. However, his happiness overtakes his depressions when finally he gets a relatively good idea.

Another problem is when we were in disagreement, we discussed even quarreled a lot with each other, and no one could persuade his opponent. At the end, we wasted a lot of time in solving conflicts and couldn’t reach a conclusion. Everyone should show concern for different opinions, besides, a leader for the whole group is necessary. He will make a reasonable plan for the project, and distribute tasks for everyone in his group. When disagreement occurs, he can make a final decision to avoid trouble in discussing some unnecessary details. We can take turns to be the leader. In that way, all of us can develop an ability to organize a group, and the discussion will be far more efficient.

During the process of group discussion last month, I exposed myself in an English-speaking atmosphere, and got obvious improvement in oral English. We seldom had opportunity to practice English in that way in China. As all you can feel, it is a very useful way. In order to make the most of this precious opportunity, it’s sensible of us to think it over and do better in future.