-Learn about a website to help you improve your academic discussion skills.
Learning how to participate in an academic discussion in English is one of the important skills you will learn in your English classes and practice throughout your time at APU. However, it is also a very difficult skill to master because it requires excellent speaking and listening skills!
One way to improve your academic discussion skills is practice. The more you speak and practice the better you will get. You can practice with Language Advisors and Peer Advisors. We can listen and give you tips on how to improve. Make a reservation anytime on the SALC website. Another great way to improve is to review websites for actual academic discussions. I found this great one from the University of Minnesota (one of our partner schools). The website has various topics including conversation styles, useful phrases, active listening and an actual demonstration of an academic discussion.
Basketball Style
One useful point it mentions is that many academic discussions in English contexts follow the basketball approach. This means:
· Speakers take short turns (speak for a short amount of time)
· Faster pace
· Speakers "steal the ball" during hesitations and pauses
· Interruptions keep the discussion moving forward
· Common in Britain, Canada, and the United States
The website also gives clear strategies on how to use this approach.
How to Talk in a "Basketball Style" Discussion
Keep your comments and questions short.
Be ready to jump into the discussion. See "Phrases to Enter a Discussion" below for ways that you can "steal the ball" when someone else pauses or hesitates.
Remember that other people might interrupt you when you pause or hesitate. That's okay!
Use strategies to help you "keep the ball" longer. See "Ways to Avoid Interruption" below.
Discussion Example
The great way to learn how to do something is to see an example. Unfortunately, there are not many examples of good "academic discussions." Luckily, on the website, there is a video of an example of a real discussion. If you click on "discussion demonstration" you can watch the discussion and see how skilled speakers practice this "basketball style."
I hope you check out this website. Everyone at the SALC wishes you good luck on your academic discussion. Remember come see PAs or LAs if you ever need help or to practice. We are waiting for you!
Website:
By Lindsay Mack (English SALC Coordinator)