BTech-I/Sem-I/ Exc-V/23

Exercise – V
Listening Comprehension

a) CALL Lab:
Understand: Listening for general & specific details.
Practice: Listening Comprehension Tests for testing exercises.

5.0 Introduction

Listening is the ability to accurately receive and interpret messages in the communication
process. Listening is the key to all effective communication. Without the ability to listen
effectively, messages are easily misunderstood. Active listening is the ability to focus completely
on a speaker, understand their message, comprehend the information and respond thoughtfully.

5.1 (a)Listening for general details:

In the context of language learning and teaching, Gist is defined as the general meaning or
purpose of a text, either written or spoken. Listening for Gist is when the learner tries to
understand what is happening even if he or she can’t understand every phrase or sentence. The
learner is trying to pick up key words, intonation, and other clues so as to make a guess at the
meaning.

Examples of Gist Questions

What’s the subject of the passage?

What does the speaker think about the topic?

What’s the main idea of the passage?

b)Listening for specific details:

Specific information is often factual in nature, for example, a name, a place, a profession, an
object, a number or a quantity. When you listen for specific information, you need to have some
idea of what you’re listening for before you listen and while you’re listening. In an exam
situation, predict and anticipate the kind of information that will answer the question, being
aware that the idea you’re listening for could be expressed in the recording in a number of
different ways. As you listen, you need to recognize when the information is about to be given,
and pay particularly close attention at that point. Sometimes, listening for specific information
also involves listening to determine whether information is stated or not.

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(b) GROUP DISCUSSION

ICS Lab:
Understand: Introduction to Group Discussion
Practice: Group Discussion

5.2 Introduction

Group Discussion is a type of discussion that involves people sharing ideas or activities. People
in the group discussion are connected with one basic idea. Based on that idea, everyone in the
group represents his/her perspective. GD is a discussion that tests the candidate's skills, such
as leadership skills, communication skills, social skills and behavior, politeness, teamwork,
listening ability, General awareness, confidence, problem-solving skills, etc.

The Group Discussion is generally the next level after the entrance exam to pursue a professional
degree. In the case of recruitments, Group Discussion can be the starting or at the end, depending
on different companies or organizations.

It is not fixed that the group discussion is always performed around the table. People can sit in
any arrangement, but everyone should be able to see every face. It is not only the usual
discussion, but it is also a discussion with knowledge and facts.

A Group Discussion can be defined as a formal discussion involving 8 to 10 participants in a

group. They are given a topic. After some time, during which they collect their thoughts, the
group is asked to discuss the topic for 15 to 20 minutes. The GD process is to assess a candidate’s
personality traits.

5.2.1 Objectives of GD

1. To develop the dynamics of GD

2. To learn techniques that can make an effective participant in GD
3. Knowing Dos & Don’ts of GD.

There is a considerable difference between public speaking and GD. In public speaking, the
audience merely judges and passes a verdict on the speaker. Nobody in the audience competes
with you. They listen to what the speaker says but do not compete with the speaker. They listen
to what the speaker says, but do not discuss the subject with equal rights as does the speaker. The
same is the case with an interview. In an interview, a candidate has to deal with the interviewer
who asks questions to which the interviewed responds. He will be given ample opportunities as
the interviewer is interested in the answers. In a debate or lecture, the candidate is given some
time to think and marshal his ideas and the chairman or the presiding officer will ensure that no
one intervenes. The interview focuses on personality traits wherein the interviewers ask well
directed questions to assess the overall personality of a candidate.

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5.2.2 Dynamics of GD

1.Flexibility: You must be open to other ideas as well as to the evaluation of your ideas. That is
what flexibility is all about. But first, remember: Never ever start your GD with a stand or a
conclusion. By taking a stand, you have already given your decision without discussing the topic
at hand or listening to the views of your team members. Assertiveness: You must put forth your
point to the group in a very emphatic, positive and confident manner

2. Initiative: A general trend amongst students is to start a GD and get the initial kitty of points
earmarked for the initiator. But that is a high risk-high return strategy. Initiate a GD only if you
are well versed with the topic.

3. Creativity: An idea or a perspective which opens new horizons for discussion on the GD topic
is always highly appreciated. When you put across a new idea convincingly, such that it is
discussed at length by the group, it can only be positive

4. Team player: It lays great emphasis on this parameter because it is essential for managers to
be team players. Management aspirants who lack team skills cannot be good managers.

5. Reasoning ability: Reasoning ability plays an important role while expressing your opinions
or ideas at a GD.

6. Leadership: A leader would have the following qualities: S/he shows direction to the group
whenever group moves away from the topic. S/he coordinates the effort of the different team
members in the GD. S/he contributes to the GD at regular intervals with valuable insights. S/he
also inspires and motivates team members to express their views.

7.Inspiring ability: A good group discussion should incorporate views of all the team members.
If some team members want to express their ideas but are not getting the opportunity to do so,
giving them an opportunity to express their ideas or opinions will be seen as a positive trait.

8. Awareness: The content or awareness generally constitutes 40 to 50 percent marks of your

GD. Apart from these qualities, communication skills, confidence and the ability to think on
one’s feet are also very important.

4.2.2 Group Discussion - Initiation

Initiating a GD is a high profit-high loss strategy. When you initiate a GD, you not only
grab the opportunity to speak, you also grab the attention of the examiner and your fellow
candidates. If you can make a favorable first impression with your content and communication
skills after you initiate a GD, it will help you sail through the discussion. But if you initiate a GD
and stammer/ stutter/ quote wrong facts and figures, the damage might be irreparable. If you
initiate a GD impeccably but don’t speak much after that, it gives the impression that you started
the GD for the sake of starting it.

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4.2.3 Group Discussion - Techniques

There are a few simple techniques that can make you an effective participant:

1.Prepare: If you know what the topic of the discussion will be, there is a lot you can do to
prepare in advance. You can read round the topic to make sure you are aware of the main issues
and arguments, and spend some time deciding what your own position is.

2. Listen: An effective discussion is one in which people listen to each other. Listening is a very
important discussion skill and make sure you listen and respond to what other people have to
say.

3. Be polite: In a discussion, it’s important to stay calm and be polite, even if you feel strongly
about the topic under discussion. Using words like please, thank you, I’d like to… May I…?

Would you mind…? Could you…? Make you sound polite and respectful.

4.Take / make notes: It’s a good idea to have a pen and paper handy. You can jot down any
useful or important words or ideas that might come in handy later in the discussion – or
afterwards.

5.Speak clearly: Practice your pronunciation and speak clearly and confidently. If you need time
to collect your thoughts, you could say something like Hmmm… just let me have a minute to
think about this.

4.2.4 Useful phrases for Group Discussion:

There are lots of useful phrases that you can use in discussions. Here are just a few of them:

Agreeing: You’re absolutely right about that.

Disagreeing: I’m sorry, I don’t see it that way at all.

Interrupting: Sorry, do you mind if I say something here?

Dealing with interruptions: Could I just finish what I’m saying?

Asking for explanation: Would you mind telling us what exactly you mean by that?

Asking for more information: Would you mind saying a little bit more about that?

Adding more information: Another point I’d like to make is…

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4.2.5 Different parts of a GD (Considering a 15 minutes GD)

Chaos period. (1-2 minutes).

Generating ideas. (7-8 minutes).

Building on ideas. (5-6 minutes).

Conclusion. (rarely comes; ½ – 1 minutes)

4.2.6 Roles in Group Discussion

Group enterprise roles: These roles are constructive to the group.

Initiator-contributor: Generates new ideas.

Information-seeker: Asks for information about the task.

Opinion-seeker: Asks for the input from the group about its values.

Information-giver: Offers facts or generalization to the group.

Opinion-giver: States his or her beliefs about a group issue.

Elaborator: Explains ideas within the group, offers examples to clarify ideas.

Coordinator: Shows the relationships between ideas.

Encourager: Praises the ideas of others.

Harmonizer: Mediates differences between group members.

Standard Setter: Suggests standards or criteria for the group to achieve.

Follower: Goes along with the group and accepts the group’s ideas.

4.2.7 Dysfunctional roles

These roles are destructive to the group.

Aggressor: Attacks other group members, deflates the status of others, and other aggressive
behaviour.

Blocker: Resists movement by the group.

Recognition seeker: Calls attention to himself or herself.

Self-confessor: Seeks to disclose non-group related feelings or opinions.

Dominator: Asserts control over the group by manipulating the other group members.

Help seeker: Tries to gain the sympathy of the group.

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Special interest pleader: Uses stereotypes to assert his or her own prejudices.

4.2.8 Role of Body Languge in Group Discussion

Body language plays an important role during the Group Discussion. The panel lists will surely
take note of your body language.

1. Pointing fingers: Pointing fingers generally signifies talking in anger and

accusing someone with your finger. It exhibits your aggression. This should be
completely avoided.
2. Playing with pen or paper: Playing with pen, paper or just moving your hands
shows careless attitude. Whether you remain silent or talk while playing with such
objects, it will show your lack of interest.
3. Stooping or slouching: You should sit straight while in a GD. Don’t slouch or
bend forward. That is an informal posture and is not at all welcomed in GD
rounds.
4. Sitting with crossed arms or legs: When you sit with crossed arms/legs or both,
it refers to a closed mindset and a person who is not ready to accept/listen to
others’ point of views.
5. Throwing your hand: Don’t throw your hands in such a manner that it enters
your next group member’s space. Everyone has their own personal space and
entering that disturbs the entire group coherence.
6. Fidget: You should not keep fidgeting or moving uncomfortably in your chair.
7. Not to be stiff: When it is advised that you should not keep fidgeting, it is also
meant that you should not be absolutely stiff in your position. You should have a
relaxed posture.
8. Scratching, pricking, rubbing: You should not engage your hands in
inappropriate activities such as scratching, pricking, rubbing etc. This will again
show your lack of interest in the GD and too much obsession with yourself.
9. Control your facial expressions: Control your facial expression and avoid
showing your anger/disgust/frustration reflect on your face. Also don’t smirk,
smile or laugh unnecessarily. Don’t make it too stoic.
10. Moving your legs: Continuous movement of legs will show your impatience. If
you keep moving your legs, you will communicate that you want to get rid of the
GD process.

4.2.9 DO’S of participating in a GD:

• Listen to the subject carefully

• Put down your thoughts on a paper
• Initiate the discussion if you know the subject well
• Listen to others if you don’t know the subject
• Support you point with some facts and figures
• Make short contribution of 25-30 seconds 3-4 times
• Give others a chance to speak
• Speak politely and pleasantly. Respect contribution from other members.
• Disagree politely and agree with what is right.
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• Summarize the discussion if the group has not reached a conclusion.

4.2.10 DON’TS of participating in a GD

• Initiate the discussion if you do not have sufficient knowledge about the given topic.
• Over speak, intervene and snatch other’s chance to speak.
• Argue and shout during the GD Look at the evaluators or a particular group member.
• Talk irrelevant things and distract the discussion.
• Pose negative body gestures like touching the nose, leaning back on the chair, knocking
the table with a pen etc.
• Mention erratic statistics.
• Display low self-confidence with shaky voice and trembling hands.

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