This is a small group discussion activity for students to talk about types of interaction and norms for communication in academic environments.

1. TYPES OF INTERACTION
IN THE UNIVERSITY
A Discussion Exercise for
Groups in the Academic
Speaking Class

2.  Is
listening a type of interaction?
 What
should you do while the
professor is talking?
 What
should you do when other
students are talking?
LISTENING

3. Have
you ever participated in an
online class discussion?
Do
you use Blackboard (or Harvey)
to check your assignments?
Have
you ever used your computer
to organize a study group?
ONLINE CHAT / GROUP DISCUSSIONS

4.  Do
you get a better grade if you speak
more in class?
 When
should you raise your hand before
you speak, and when can you speak
without raising your hand?
 Are
you ever afraid to answer the teacher
when you are in class? What can you do to
overcome this?
VOLUNTEERING ANSWERS IN CLASS

5.  Does
your culture allow you to compare answers
with a partner before turning in work?
 Why
would professors ask students to work together
in class?
WORKING IN PAIRS

6.  Why
are group discussions
important in learning?
 Are
you comfortable in group
discussions?
 What
roles can students play in a
group discussion?
 Which
GROUP DISCUSSIONS
role do you prefer?

7.  How
do you feel about group
projects?
 How
do you divide up the work?
 What
can be done about students
who do all the work, and students
who do none?
GROUP PROJECTS

8.  Why
is debate important in
education?
 Do
you debate ideas in classrooms in
your country? If so, how are the
debates held?
 Which
classes might ask you do
argue your opinion?
ARGUING
 Which
is easier: defending your ideas
in writing, or in speech? Why?

9.  In
your culture, is texting a good way to
communicate with a professor?
 Have
you ever sent a text message
during class? How did your teachers
respond to cell phones in the classroom?
TEXTING

10. When
can you call your
professor?
Is
telephoning someone still a
good way to communicate?
USING THE PHONE

11. When
you email a professor, which of
the following are important?
 Using
correct spelling and punctuation
 Using
long sentences
 Writing
 Using
capital letters
 Writing
EMAIL
long paragraphs
a descriptive subject line
 Demanding
an answer right away

12. Where
do professors usually post
announcements in your home
country?
Where
do you look for information
about a class?
If
there is a big snowstorm and
school is cancelled, how will you
find out?
ANNOUNCEMENTS

13.  Why
do professors ask
students to make formal
presentations?
 Why
are presentation skills
useful?
PRESENTATIONS

14.  If
an assignment is due, and
you haven’t finished it, what
should you do?
 If
you know you are going to
be absent, what should you
do?
MAKING EXCUSES