Managing the Discussion
Task 1
Jurgen is not speaking in the meeting, although the topic is relevant to him. What comment can you make to encourage him to speak?
Which of the comments below do you think would encourage him to speak and which will not?
- Jurgen, you’ve been very quiet. What do you think?
- Jurgen, after we’ve heard from Rosa can we have your views? I know you have some experience of this problem?
- I think that’s an excellent idea. What do you think, Jurgen?
- Your opinion would be valuable, Jurgen. How do you feel about this?
Task 3
Download this gap fill activity.
Fill up the cloze text with your own ideas.
Task 4
Follow your trainer's instructions to annotate the task below.
Task 5
Look at these six situations. You are the chairperson. Think of a question you could use to manage the discussion in each case. Write your answers using phrases from section B.
1 Lee has mentioned ‘process reengineering’ and one or two people look confused.
2 Pamela has suggested that the new product is launched in July. You are not sure if everyone agrees.
3 The discussion is going well, but Olga hasn’t said anything. The topic is relevant to her.
4 There seems to be agreement among the people who have spoken, but you think there are may be other ideas.
5 There has been a long discussion about possible problems in the manufacturing process.
6 Mike is explaining that your main customer is having serious financial difficulties.
Task 6
Reading Role Play.3 participants will be assigned roles to read this short passage below.
Chairperson: So, Hilary, you’re going to prepare a short report. Can you circulate it before the next meeting? Thanks. Now, shall we turn the question of the advertising campaign?
Participant A: Sorry for interrupting, but I’d just like to go back for a moment to item three on the agenda. Did we decide to have soup or orange juice in the drinks machine?
Chairperson: Soup, I think, but coming back to what I was saying, we need to discuss next year’s advertising campaign.
Participant B: Can I just come in here? It seems to me that we made a very bad decision in relation to the drinks machine.
Chairperson: I think this is a bit of a side-track. I thought we finished that agenda item. Can we get back to the main point?
Participant B: Sorry, can I just finish? I’m absolutely certain that most of our visitors prefer orange juice to soup.
Chairperson: Right. We’ll have orange juice then. Now, can we move on to discuss the advertising Campaign please? Who would like to begin?
Participant A: Well, in my opinion we should use posters all over the metro...
Participant B: No, no, no, it’s much better to use magazines.
Chairperson: One at a time, please. First (Participant A), then (Participant B).
Task 7
Download Manage The Discussion 2 and complete the tasks.
Refer to the slide below for Share screen options of the handout.
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