Participating in UK University Seminars

• Seminars are a common teaching method in UK universities, fostering interactive learning through discussion and debate
• Templates and expressions can help students participate effectively in these seminars

Introducing an opinion

• "In my opinion..." is a straightforward way to state a viewpoint
• "From my perspective..." indicates a personal understanding of the topic
• "It seems to me that..." suggests a tentative opinion, open to discussion
• "I would argue that..." introduces a more assertive statement, inviting debate
• "Based on what I've read..." grounds the opinion in research or evidence
• "As I understand it..." shows willingness to have your understanding checked
• "If I understand you correctly..." allows clarification of the statement of others

Agreeing

• "I agree with [name/statement] because..." provides a clear endorsement with justification
• "I share that view" expresses agreement concisely
• "I feel the same way" indicates agreement based on a similar sentiment or understanding
• "That's a valid point" acknowledges the merit of a previous statement, even if you don't fully agree
• "Building on what [name] said..." supports a previous point and adds further insight or evidence
• "I'd like to second that" is a formal way of expressing support for a proposal or suggestion
• "Absolutely" and "Indeed" are emphatic ways to show strong agreement

Disagreeing

• "I see it differently" is a polite way to introduce an alternative viewpoint
• "I'm not sure I agree because..." expresses disagreement with a reason
• "With all due respect, I think..." is a respectful way to voice disagreement, particularly with someone senior or in authority
• "I understand what you’re saying, but..." acknowledges the other person's point before presenting a counter-argument
• "I have a different understanding of..." suggests a divergence in interpretation or knowledge
• "That's not quite how I see it" indicates a differing perspective
• "I'm afraid I don't agree" is a direct but polite way to express disagreement

Asking for clarification

• "Could you elaborate on that?" requests more detail about a specific point
• "Could you explain what you mean by...?" seeks clarification of a particular term or concept
• "I'm not sure I follow you. Could you give an example?" asks for an illustration to aid understanding
• "Do you mean...?" is a way to check your understanding by paraphrasing
• "Are you saying that...?" is another way to confirm your interpretation of a statement
• "What's your take on...?" invites the speaker's opinion on a related issue
• "Can you expand upon...?" directly asks for more information

Interrupting politely

• "Excuse me, could I add something here?" seeks permission to contribute to the discussion
• "Sorry to interrupt, but..." acknowledges the interruption while signaling an important point
• "If I may..." is a more formal way of asking to speak
• "Just to add to that..." connects your contribution to the current topic
• "Before we move on..." brings the discussion back to a previous point if necessary
• "Can I just say..." is a more informal way to interject
• Briefly pausing and making eye contact before speaking can also signal your intent to contribute without being disruptive

Giving examples

• "For example..." introduces a specific instance to illustrate a point
• "A good example of this is..." provides a clear and relevant illustration
• "To illustrate this point..." signals the intention to provide an example
• "Take, for instance..." introduces an example in a more conversational way
• "A case in point is..." highlights a particularly relevant example
• "We can see this in..." points to a real-world example or situation
• "Let me give you an example" directly introduces an illustration

Summarizing

• "So, if I understand correctly, you're saying..." confirms understanding of a complex point
• "To summarise..." introduces a concise overview of the main points
• "In other words..." rephrases a statement for clarity
• "So, what you're suggesting is..." clarifies a proposal or idea
• "The main point is..." highlights the key takeaway
• "In essence..." captures the core meaning of a discussion
• "To put it simply..." simplifies a complex idea for easier understanding

Redirecting the discussion

• "Perhaps we could consider..." suggests a different angle or perspective
• "That's interesting, but what about...?" acknowledges a point while shifting the focus
• "I wonder if we could explore..." proposes a new area for discussion
• "Going back to your previous point..." returns to an earlier topic
• "Related to that..." connects the current discussion to a relevant issue
• "Building on that idea..." acknowledges the previous point and moves the conversation forward
• "What are the broader implications of...?" encourages a wider view of the topic

Dealing with difficult questions

• "That's a complex question" acknowledges the difficulty before attempting an answer
• "I'm not sure, but my initial thought is..." admits uncertainty while offering a tentative response
• "That's an interesting point. I'll need to think about that" acknowledges the question and defers a full response
• "I don't have enough information to answer that fully" admits limitations in knowledge
• "Perhaps someone else has some thoughts on that?" invites others to contribute
• "I can look into that and get back to you" offers to research the answer
• "That's beyond the scope of this discussion, but..." politely redirects to the main topic

General phrases for participation

• "That's an interesting point" acknowledges a contribution and encourages further discussion
• "I'd like to add to that" indicates a desire to build upon a previous statement
• "I have a question about that" indicates a need for clarification
• "Could you say more about that?" invites elaboration on a specific point
• "What evidence is there to support that?" politely challenges a claim
• "How does that relate to...?" connects the current point to a broader context
• "What are the implications of that?" explores the consequences of a particular idea

Body Language

• Maintain eye contact to show engagement and confidence
• Use open postures (e.g., uncrossed arms) to convey openness and receptiveness
• Nod to show you are listening and understanding
• Use hand gestures to emphasize points
• Avoid fidgeting or distracting movements

Remember to

• Listen actively to understand others' viewpoints before expressing your own
• Be respectful of differing opinions, even when you disagree
• Support your arguments with evidence and reasoning
• Be concise and avoid rambling
• Participate regularly to demonstrate engagement and contribute to the learning environment
• Be aware of cultural differences in communication styles
• Use inclusive language and avoid making assumptions
• Reflect on your participation and seek feedback to improve your seminar skills
• Be prepared to ask questions and contribute to the discussion
• Treat all contributions with equal respect