Speaking and listening – group discussions
Plan your discussion or debate so that you hit all the criteria for your
target grade. For A/A*, that’s Band 5. Read the official mark scheme in
the column on the left and then look at the right-hand column to find out
how this might be demonstrated.
Band 5 candidates …
… influence others and shape discussion
Pick up on keys words and phrases used by opponents/members
of your group:
 I notice that you used the word ‘may’ rather than ‘will’ …
Sustain concentrated
listening, showing
understanding of
complex ideas through
interrogating what is
said
Show understanding by building on other people’s points and
use these observations to strengthen your own argument:
 I agree with you when you say …
 Surely you are contradicting your earlier point when you say
…
Question weaker points:
 Do you really have evidence to support …?
Be ready to question further.
Shape direction and
content of talk,
responding with
flexibility to develop
ideas and challenge
assumptions
Make sure you know what you are talking about and can respond
to points raised. If you have no answer, challenge something in
the question and try to steer discussion away from your weaker
points.
Don’t let others take the discussion off topic or in a direction that
you are not prepared for.
Show that you can direct the discussion by taking others’ points
and using them to bring the talk back to your point of view.
When others raise a point, add to their ideas and suggest
alternative views.
Initiate, develop and
sustain discussion
through encouraging
participation and
interaction, resolving
differences and
achieving positive
outcomes.
© www.teachit.co.uk 2011
Keep the discussion going by encouraging quieter members of the
group to speak.
Step in when conversation is going off topic or is being dominated
by argument rather than discussion.
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Speaking and listening – group discussions
Band 4 candidates …
… respond to details effectively and take an active part in
discussion.
Challenge, develop and
respond to what they
hear in thoughtful and
considerate ways,
seeking clarification
through apt questions
Show that you are listening to others by challenging or building on
what they say. If they are not explaining clearly, reiterate what
they say or ask appropriate questions.
Analyse and reflect on
others’ ideas to clarify
issues and assumptions
and develop the
discussion
Listen to people in your group and discuss details of what they
say. Use these details to take the discussion further.
Identify useful
outcomes and help
structure discussion
through purposeful
contributions
Band 3 candidates …
Listen closely and
attentively, engage
with what is heard
through perceptive
responses
Make significant
contributions that move
discussions forward
Engage with others’
ideas and feelings,
recognising obvious bias
or prejudice and
referring to precise
detail.
© www.teachit.co.uk 2011
Step in if a discussion is going nowhere or the same points are
being repeated.
Try to move the talk on to a conclusion.
… successfully put across their own ideas and engage with
others.
Don’t just put your own ideas across – make sure you respond to
what others say.
Make sure that your contributions show that you have thought
carefully about your views.
Make sure that you take an active part in the discussion and
contribute your own ideas.
Be sensitive when disagreeing with others but don’t accept
everything that they say without question.
Show that you understand that they may be ignoring some details
and emphasising others.
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