Discussion Profiling

Subject: English Language
Level: Secondary
Age Group: 11 - 14
Order Number: 5248

This resource is intended to help English teachers of pupils from 11 to 16 years target and develop group interaction oracy skills. Pupils are taught to 'profile' the contributions of their peers in discussion work so that key skills can be isolated, analysed and modelled. The Basic Profiles stage is followed by an Advanced stage. Each stage comprises six sections including an outline rationale, a fuller explanation of how the profiles work, a 'step-by-step' guide to using them in the classroom and a profiles sheet to be used by pupils themselves. The Advanced section also has a Skills component, which explains in detail the mapping, reasoning and social skills targeted at this second stage.

The approach is tried and tested in the classroom and, once established as a routine method of handling group discussion, can be applied to most discussion topics across a range of abilities. Discussion of themes and issues, of texts and even of aspects of language are given greater structure and depth by the approach. Learners develop their awareness of effective discussion strategies; they become much more task and group-oriented in their contributions and are encouraged to take responsibility for outcomes. The approach has the dual benefit for teachers of generating better engagement with the subjects under discussion and making discussion itself a real opportunity to teach Speaking and Listening skills in a systematic way.

Using this resource can make group discussion more skilful and easier to manage. It can also encourage pupils and students to see discussion as a substantial part of their learning.