Group Discussion Skills 小组讨论技巧

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

「我们先列出这项建议的正反两面，好吗？」Chloe 一边打开笔记簿一边问。

'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。「我也建议我们控制时间——我们有八分钟，大约四分钟讲优点，四分钟讲缺点。」

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

「同意。Kevin，不如由你先说优点？」

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

「谢谢。我认为最大的好处是节省纸张。」

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

「我校每月影印数以千计的工作纸，改用平板电脑便可省去大部分。」

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

「在此基础上再补充，」他续说，「这也能教导学生回收和负责任地管理档案。」

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

「想澄清一下，」Chloe 说，「我们现在讨论的是成本还是环保影响？」

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

「其实两者都是。或许我们应该一并衡量才作决定。」

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

「那我再补充一点：电子学习可以即时回馈，因为老师可以在同一晚批改网上功课。」

Sarah, who had been quiet, was invited in.

一直沉默的 Sarah 获邀加入。

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

「Sarah，你用过平板电脑——你的看法如何？」

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

「谢谢你邀请我。以我的经验，坏处是容易分心：有同学会在上课时开游戏。」

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

「此外，不是每个家庭都负担得起一部装置，所以学校需要借用计划。」

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

「这是合理的忧虑，」Kevin 有礼地说。「或许建议应先在一个级别试行。」

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

「我们还有两分钟，」Chloe 说。「由我总结好吗？」

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

「我们大致支持这项建议，前提是学校试行一年、提供借用装置，并订明防止分心的清晰规则。」

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

「Sarah 会记下各项忧虑，而我则汇报我们的结论。」

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

三人点头——一场把参与、鼓励、澄清与总结悄悄织进八分钟有礼而有序的讨论，就此完成。