SPEAKING / Debates / Presentations / Seminars

Academic Seminars

Seminars for academic English students. What is a seminar? Seminar procedures and seminar practice lessons.

Seminar Phrases

Download Seminar Phrases

What is a seminar?

Generally, it is a small discussion on a specific topic among a group of students. At university it can be a central part of the learning process from lecturers creating seminars around pre-reading texts or post-lecture discussions. Commonly, at university English language centres seminars have become a feature of testing English speaking though fluency, conversational skills and ability to discuss complex subjects.

Why have seminars?

explore topics in more depth
share ideas in a way that will advance your thinking
learn from other people’s experiences and background knowledge
improve transferable skills for career development

Pre-seminar procedures

Students are often given pre-texts and pre-listenings before the seminar to prepare. Students are expected to read and listen to texts carefully by making detailed notes and come to the seminar fully prepared.

A Seminar Test – a seminar test usually…

Consists of 6 people (one can be nominated the chair person)
A set of questions
Lasts for 25-30minutes
The last 5 minutes summarise key points
Students CAN use their texts and notes

The seminar process

The group are called into a room and sit around a table.
The questions are given out and students have 3 minutes to read and prepare
The seminar begins with an opening statement – what you are here today to discuss?
The students then begin to discuss the first question.
Each student should make a contribution by referring to their notes / texts.
The Seminar should flow with students adding to what was previously said.
Once everyone agrees this question has been addressed in full, then they move onto the next question.
Important: not all the questions have to be answered but they should be discussed in order
Important: Sometimes choosing a chair person can create problems and it’s better if the students run it collectively.
Once the students begin to approach 25 minutes they should bring it to an end by each one summarising a main point raised.

key points to a seminar

It should be a flowing conversation with everyone involved and contributing.
The teacher / tutor should not intervene if it goes quiet but let the students manage the discussion.
Students have to show confidence and demonstrate thorough awareness of texts.
Dominant students are penalised for not sharing and including others.
Grouping is important (careful consideration is needed on putting students in groups)
key debate phrases should be used to should conversation skills – agreeing, disagreeing, interrupting, etc…

Seminar Speaking Criteria x2

There is a basic seminar speaking criteria to assess seminar speaking skills which has four key criteria: Language accuracy, language range, pronunciation and communicative effectiveness. Also, another seminar criteria that includes ‘reference to materials’. Example / Level: ***** [B1/B2/C1] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP

Seminar Speaking Cards

Seminar Speaking cards

This lesson has twelve seminar topics on a variety of topics. Put students into groups of four/five. Give out a card and students have 1 minute to plan what they will say. Students then discuss the question for 10 minutes [webpage]. Use the seminar assessment criteria here Level: ***** [B1/B2/C1]

Signposting Language in Seminars: Free Download

This lesson develops students’ awareness and ability to use signposting phrases in seminars. It begins by introducing a list of seminar phrases, practicing these phrases in groups and finishes with a kinaesthetic card game to activate the phrases learnt. Really fun lesson! [webpage] Level: ***** [B1/B2/C1]

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Seminar Listening Worksheet

Seminar Listening Worksheet 1 [5 minute seminar]

This listening worksheet is four different nationalities discussing ‘American Values’. Students listen and take notes on what the different nationalities (Indian, Ethiopian, Japanese, American) say about American Values and then answer the question sheet. (see example). Level * [B1/B2/C1] / Video (start 0:40 – 4:40) / MP3 / TEACHER MEMBERSHIP

Teacher’s Notes: Seminar Listening Worksheet 1

Explain the seminar is four different nationalities discussing ‘American Values’.
The different nationalities are an Indian man, Ethiopian woman, Japanese woman and an American woman.
Play the sound only (not the visual video) two times – students take notes.
Give out question worksheet – allow 5-10 minutes to answer.
Video (start 0:40 – 4:40)

Seminar Listening Worksheet 2 [3 minute seminar]

This listening worksheet is four teachers discussing whether it is better to learn English online or in a regular classroom. Each teacher provider an opinion and a justification for their choice (see example). Level * [B1/B2] / Video (3.27) / MP3 / TEACHER MEMBERSHIP

Teacher’s Notes: Seminar Listening Worksheet 2

Explain the seminar is four teachers discussing ‘whether it is better to learn English online or in a classroom’.
Show the picture of the four teachers with their names (Ronnie, Alex, James, Adam)
Play the video two times – students take notes.
Give out question worksheet – allow 5-10 minutes to answer.
Video

Seminar Listening Worksheet 3 [5 minute seminar]

This listening worksheet is three teachers discussing their views on the TED Talk lecture: The Happy Planet Index by Nic Marks (see example). Level * [B1/B2] / Video (5.00) / MP3 / TEACHER MEMBERSHIP

Teacher’s Notes: Seminar Listening Worksheet 2

Students watch the TED Talk LectureThe Happy Planet Index’ by Nic Marks – go here
Explain the seminar is three teachers discussing parts of the TED Talk Lecture.
Show the picture of video and highlight its one woman, a Scottish man and another man.
Play the video two times – students take notes.
Give out question worksheet – allow 5-10 minutes to answer.
Video

Class Speaking Download

Classroom Mingle – a getting-to-know you activity!

This lesson comprises of twenty different speaking questions. Students mingle around the room asking and answering questions on a range of questions based around their university study. (see example). Level ***** [B1/B2/C1] / TEACHER MEMBERSHIP

Seminar Lesson Download

Speaking Tasks – Analysis & Evaluation

This lessons includes six speaking task cards (halls of residence, speaking English, greener university, plagiarism, congestion, homelessness). In small groups students discuss the situation, analyse the key issues/areas and evaluate which are the most effective (see example). Level ***** [B2/C1] / TEACHER MEMBERSHIP

Seminar Lesson Download

Independent Learning seminar

This worksheet is based on four videos. Students listen and take notes on the videos and then summarise their ideas on the worksheet. Using their new knowledge they formulate an Independent Learning action plan. With all this information they have a 20-30 minute seminar using a set of questions. Videos Level: ***** [B1/B2/C1]

Independent Learning worksheet

This worksheet is based on four videos. Listen to the videos and take notes. Then use your notes to answer the questions and compare your answers to the key answers [webpage]. Example / Video Level: ***** [B1/B2/C1] MEMBERSHIP