Group Discussion Skills

'Shall we begin by listing the pros and cons of the proposal?' Chloe asked, opening her notebook.

「我們先列出這項建議的正反兩面，好嗎？」Chloe 一邊打開筆記簿一邊問。

'Good idea,' Kevin replied. 'I'd also suggest we keep track of time — we have eight minutes, so about four for advantages and four for disadvantages.'

「好主意，」Kevin 回答。「我也建議我們控制時間——我們有八分鐘，大約四分鐘講優點，四分鐘講缺點。」

'Agreed. Kevin, would you like to start with the advantages?'

「同意。Kevin，不如由你先說優點？」

'Thanks. I think the biggest advantage is saving paper.'

「謝謝。我認為最大的好處是節省紙張。」

'Our school photocopies thousands of worksheets every month, and tablets would cut most of that.'

「我校每月影印數以千計的工作紙，改用平板電腦便可省去大部分。」

'To build on that,' he added, 'it also teaches students to recycle and manage files responsibly.'

「在此基礎上再補充，」他續說，「這也能教導學生回收和負責任地管理檔案。」

'Just to clarify,' Chloe said, 'are we discussing cost or environmental impact?'

「想澄清一下，」Chloe 說，「我們現在討論的是成本還是環保影響？」

'Both, actually. Perhaps we should weigh them together before deciding.'

「其實兩者都是。或許我們應該一併衡量才作決定。」

'Then let me add one more point: e-learning allows instant feedback, because teachers can mark online work the same evening.'

「那我再補充一點：電子學習可以即時回饋，因為老師可以在同一晚批改網上功課。」

Sarah, who had been quiet, was invited in.

一直沉默的 Sarah 獲邀加入。

'Sarah, you've used tablets before — what's your view?'

「Sarah，你用過平板電腦——你的看法如何？」

'Thank you for inviting me. In my experience, the disadvantage is distraction: some students open games during lessons.'

「謝謝你邀請我。以我的經驗，壞處是容易分心：有同學會在上課時開遊戲。」

'Also, not every family can afford a device, so the school would need a loan scheme.'

「此外，不是每個家庭都負擔得起一部裝置，所以學校需要借用計劃。」

'That's a fair concern,' Kevin said politely. 'Perhaps the proposal should start with one form level as a trial.'

「這是合理的憂慮，」Kevin 有禮地說。「或許建議應先在一個級別試行。」

'We have two minutes left,' Chloe said. 'Shall I summarize?'

「我們還有兩分鐘，」Chloe 說。「由我總結好嗎？」

'We mostly support the proposal, provided the school runs a one-year trial, provides loan devices, and sets clear rules against distraction.'

「我們大致支持這項建議，前提是學校試行一年、提供借用裝置，並訂明防止分心的清晰規則。」

'Sarah will note the concerns, and I'll report our conclusion.'

「Sarah 會記下各項憂慮，而我則匯報我們的結論。」

The three of them nodded — a discussion with participation, encouragement, clarification and summary quietly woven into eight minutes of polite, purposeful talk.

三人點頭——一場把參與、鼓勵、澄清與總結悄悄織進八分鐘有禮而有序的討論，就此完成。