Seminars:

Seminar rol
es &
Practice ses
sion
Academic E
ngli
sh Skills,
Speaking Sk
ills.
 Reminders!
0 Think back to when we first spoke about seminars.

0 Recall:
0 What is a seminar?
0 How should you prepare for a seminar?
0 What type of language should you use in a
seminar?
 Typical seminar functions:
0 Presenting an argument
0 Developing that argument Do you know some
0 Giving opinions functional language
0 Supporting your opinions for each of these
0 Asking questions situations?
0 Asking for clarification
0 Asking someone to be more specific
0 Adding to a point already made
0 Interrupting to add something
0 Opening the discussion
0 Summarising the discussion
 Review of some ‘functional
language’
0 Review your sheets of functional language.

0 Let’s clarify the meaning of each category. If there are

any words you don’t understand, ask their meaning
now.

0 In our practice discussion, aim to use one phrase from

each section.
 Preparing for a seminar
0 When preparing for a seminar, you will be expected to
read around the topic.
0 This means that you need to be informed about the
topic, and to know some of the main ideas and
debates about it.
0 While you are expected to prepare some ideas, you
will not be able to bring notes with you to the seminar.
0 We are going to practice referring to what we have
read in a seminar discussion.
 Forming your argument
0 Your own reactions to the topic should be your
starting point.
0 You should read around the topic carefully and widely.
0 When reading, you should look for ideas that support
your point of view.
0 You may find that as you read, you may begin to
change your views on the topic.
0 This is normal! Leave sufficient preparation time so
that you can modify your ideas and your argument as
you prepare.
 Topic A:
What, in your view, is the impact of globalisation, global
communications and global trade on small business? Assess
(1) how multinational corporations can have a negative effect
on small businesses and (2) the new opportunities for small
businesses operating in a globalised world.

1. What is your opinion on this topic? Write down a few

sentences explaining your point of view.
2. Read the text and in it, identify some points that could be
used to support your own point of view.
3. Combine the two to help you make a convincing argument.
Example: Start with your own thoughts on the topic

Easier and cheaper

More opportunities to
to transport goods
reach a wider market
overseas

Globalisation
and small
business

Difficult to create brand

Difficult to compete
awareness in a marketplace
with multinationals in
dominated by multinationals
terms of price
with large advertising udgets

When you have completed this step, you need to add supporting ideas to
create a solid argument.
 Seminar skills reminder
0 Discussions are always interactive. You do not just
present your own views; you listen and react to what
others are saying
0 You need to spend time preparing for a seminar.
What do you think about the topic? Does any of your
reading influence what you think? How will you
express what you want to say?
0 Listening is an important part of seminar
participation. You need to listen because your ideas
might be influenced by what other students say.
 Practice
0 In groups of 4-5, we are now going to discuss Topic A.

0 Remember to use the functional language we have reviewed.

0 Remember the importance of participating, but also of listening.

0 Nobody should dominate and everyone should contribute.

0 Refer to the points you have prepared while researching the

topic (reference to literature).
 Post-practice reflection:
Listening and clarification
0 As a listener, did you interrupt the speaker if you did
not understand something?

0 As a speaker, did you check that your listeners were

following you?
 Some phrases for clarification
and confirmation:
Confirming understanding as a listener:
0 So, what you’re saying is…
0 So, in your view…
0 If I understand you correctly, you’re saying that…

Checking understanding as a speaker:

0 Do you understand what I mean?/Do you see what I’m saying?
0 Do you follow what I’m saying?
0 Am I making sense?

Showing that you do not understand:

0 I’m not sure I understand what you mean.
0 I didn’t quite follow you. Could you explain that point again, please?
0 Would you repeat that, please?
 Practice:
Work with a partner
0 In pairs, look at the statements below.
0 The first speaker should put forth a point of view on one of the
statements.
0 The second speaker should use a clarification phrase to check the
meaning of the point being made.
0 Swap roles.

1. Smokers should not be entitled to free healthcare.

2. Stress has a strong negative impact on health.
3. Globalisation is good for consumers in developed and developing
countries.
 We are now going to carry out
another practice.
0 Each group will be assigned a topic (B, C or D).

0 You will all have 15 minutes individually to prepare your

arguments:
0 Start with your own ideas;
0 Read the text and look for ideas which support your own
ideas;
0 Combine these with any ideas you may already have
prepared as part of your research over the last month.
0 Prepare your argument.
Topic B:
Critically assess the benefits and drawbacks of
international education. Can international
education create ‘global citizens’? What impact
will growing levels of international education
have on the home nations of students who
travel overseas for education purposes?
 Topic C:
Discuss the benefits and drawbacks of the fact
that a small number of major multinational
companies have become extremely influential.
Consider the following topics: employment
and working rights, fair and equitable trade,
and the increasing similarities between
societies and cultures around the world.
 Topic D:
In an increasingly globalised world,
international travel is faster and cheaper than
ever before. Today, international travel is
possible for many people. Discuss and evaluate
the positive and detrimental impacts of
increased overseas travel and tourism on the
environment, on society and on cultures.
 Review
a) What can you do before a seminar to prepare for a
topic you are uncertain about?
b) What can you do or say in a seminar if you are not
clear what someone means?
c) What can you do or say in a seminar if you are
uncertain whether or not you understand someone
else’s explanation of something?
d) How can you check whether someone else has
understood what you said?