If you’ve ever run a discussion activity in class, you’ve probably encountered one or two common issues. Perhaps your students didn’t want to talk, maybe one person dominated while others stayed quiet, or the topic just didn’t spark any interest. In this post, we’re sharing eight essential rules for running engaging and effective speaking activities.

Read on to discover how to set up discussion tasks your students will actually want to take part in.

 

1. Choose the right topic

Make sure the topic resonates with your students. If you’re not sure what they’re interested in, ask them. A quick and easy way is to have each student write down 10 topics they’d enjoy discussing. Look for overlaps and use these shared interests to guide your choice of discussion topics.

 

2. Ask better questions

At higher levels, steer clear of tired or clichéd questions your students have heard a hundred times.

To generate fresh and engaging questions:

Spend a few minutes brainstorming anything that comes to mind about the topic, just single words or phrases. Then pick out the more interesting items from your list and turn them into open-ended questions.

 

3. Get students involved

Let your students help create the discussion. At the start of the lesson, give them a few minutes to write their own questions on the topic. During the activity, they can ask their classmates these questions.

Want to make it more interactive? Ask them to choose another student to answer.

 

4. Use effective prompts

A good discussion doesn’t have to start with a question. Prompts can be just as effective — sometimes more so.

Try using:

• an interesting or ambiguous photo
• a controversial statement
• a real-life problem to solve

These can lead to much richer and more natural discussions.

 

5. Manage personal opinions carefully

Some students are uncomfortable sharing personal opinions in class. If you suspect this might be the case, avoid questions that require students to speak from personal experience.

Instead, turn it into a role-play: ask them to take on a character - for example, a university student, a parent of three, or a business owner, and answer from that person’s perspective. It’s a great way to practise language without putting anyone on the spot.

 

6. Keep group sizes small

If you’re working with a larger class, break students into smaller groups for discussion. The ideal group size is usually three. This allows everyone a chance to speak while still giving the group enough voices for an engaging exchange.

 

7. Allow thinking time

Give your students time to think before they speak. Don’t jump in with follow-up questions straight away. Students often need time to form their ideas and then a bit more time to find the English words to express them. This is especially true for lower-level learners or those who are naturally more reserved.

 

8. Be careful with corrections

During a discussion, it’s usually best not to correct mistakes immediately. Interruptions can damage confidence and discourage participation. Instead, monitor quietly and take notes on errors. You can go over them with the class after the activity. However, there are some exceptions - if a mistake is repeated often or affects communication, a gentle correction in the moment can be helpful.

 

That’s all from us! We hope your next speaking activity is a success.

 

Looking for ready-to-use materials?

Check out our growing collection of discussion questions for different levels and group types, designed to make your lesson prep easier and your speaking lessons more engaging.