Talking in groups

Explore this resource to learn skills for talking in groups, including verbal and body language, using ‘I’ statements and interrupting.

Useful phrases for talking in groups

Knowing what to say and having the confidence to speak are two of the biggest barriers to participating in groups.

Preparing yourself with some phrases beforehand can help.  Here are some examples of phrases you can use when talking in groups.

Click on the drop-down arrows next to each category. Which of the expressions do you already use? Which are new for you?

    • 'That’s a valid point.'
    • 'I see your point/perspective.'
    • 'You’ve hit the nail on the head (informal; colloquial).'
    • 'I see where you’re coming from, but I have a different perspective/understanding.'
    • 'I have a different take on this.'
    • 'I see the situation differently.'

    • 'How about we…?'
    • 'Why don’t we try…?'
    • 'I suggest that we…'
    • 'What about…?'
    • 'What if we try a different approach?'
    • 'Let’s brainstorm possible solutions.'

    • 'My view on this is…'
    • 'I am of the opinion that…'
    • 'It appears to me that…'
    • 'I would argue that…'

    • 'It’s worth noting that…'
    • 'I want to highlight that…'
    • 'In case you weren’t aware, …'
    • 'I just wanted to let you know that…'

    • 'Let’s find a middle ground.'
    • 'Can we compromise? / What compromises can we make?'
    • 'Yes, but have you considered…?'
    • 'I’m willing to adjust my approach if you can consider…'

    • 'Excellent point. To build on that, ...'
    • 'I think you did a great job on…'
    • 'One thing to consider is…'
    • 'What suggestions do you have for improvement/to improve?'

    • 'Can someone help me with…?'
    • 'I’m struggling / having trouble with this. Any suggestions?'
    • 'Is anyone available to support me with…?'

    • 'Everyone's input is valued. Please share your ideas/thoughts.'
    • 'Don't hesitate to speak up if you have ideas or concerns.'

Interrupting

In Australia, interrupting is not always considered rude, but rather can be seen as showing engagement and interest. If the conversation is fast-paced, interruptions might be even more acceptable.

Interrupting can also be a way of keeping a conversation moving and contributing ideas along the way, instead of waiting until the end (when you may have forgotten what you wanted to add!)

Interrupting should always be done respectfully to maintain positive interactions. Here are some strategies for politely interrupting:

  • Use a polite tone of voice to soften the impact of the interruption
  • Use courteous language to show respect for the speaker.
  • A raised hand or slight lean forward can indicate that you have something to say but do not wish to cut the speaker off.

Here is some language you could use to politely interrupt:

I’m sorry to interrupt, but…

While we’re on that topic, could I just add…

Can I jump in here for a minute?

Do you mind if I quickly add something?

Try to notice how other people react and respond to your interruption. If you notice signs of discomfort or irritation, consider how you might adjust your approach.

‘I’ statements

Group situations can often cause communication breakdowns and misunderstandings. If you begin your sentence with ‘I’, it forces you to take responsibility for your thoughts and feelings and avoids blaming the other person.

Compare the following statements. How would you feel if they were directed at you? Notice how the 'I' statements avoid using blaming language.

You are always late.

I feel concerned that you are late so often.

Try to focus on a person’s behaviour rather than their personality, and avoid personal judgments.

You're lazy.

I have noticed that contributions to the group project seem unequal.

If a person spoke to you using a ‘you’ statement, you might feel attacked or defensive. However, if a person spoke to you using an ‘I’ statement, the dialogue would be less likely to become confrontational.

‘I’ statements – matching task

You are working with a group of students with diverse academic backgrounds, and you are collaborating on an English language research project. Your tutor has asked you to discuss a core reading and explain how it applies to your research project.

Consider the scenarios (1-3) below.

Match each scenario with the most appropriate response (a-d). There is one response you will not use.

Click on 'submit' to check your answers.

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Appropriate body language

Effective body language is very important for talking in groups. Around half of what we communicate is via body language. Your group members will find it easier to understand your message if you incorporate effective body language when you are speaking.

Although not all cultures express body language in the same way, the suggestions below apply in an Australian context and will be useful when working in groups at the University.

Posture
Open and inviting 
  • Lean slightly forward to express interest and engagement in what your group members are saying.
  • Face your group members to show you are engaged and open to communication.
  • Crossed arms can be perceived as defensiveness, discomfort or lack of openness. On the other hand, they could indicate you are deep in thought.
Face
Expressions and gaze
  • Smiling usually indicates agreement or encouragement but can sometimes mean a lack of confidence, shyness, nervousness or deception.
  • Looking at the speaker’s face while they are talking shows interest, attentiveness and confidence. Speakers may gaze around while they are speaking to collect their thoughts.
  • Raised eyebrows can have a range of meanings: from surprise, curiosity or agreement, to concern or worry. You may need to assess the context to interpret the meaning.
Gesture
Head nodding
  • Nodding your head gently can convey interest, curiosity or even empathy.
  • If someone is making a point, head nodding can also show agreement or encouragement.
  • Nodding can also simply signal understanding. If someone is nodding while you’re speaking, it may indicate that they are following the conversation.

Final Tips

    Talking in groups allows you to share knowledge and perspectives for a deeper understanding. It also helps develop social skills, communication and teamwork skills, as well as enhancing critical thinking and problem-solving skills.