How to improve your speaking and discussion confidence as an international student
Maybe you don’t feel very confident in speaking and participating in discussions because English is not your first language, because you feel shy or nervous in this situation or because you’re not sure of the expectations and rules around participating in a discussion at a UK university.
That’s understandable, and you are certainly not alone in feeling this way. Here’s some advice:
Before the seminar or class:
- You will be expected to participate, so be prepared to speak as much as other students
- Prepare before the seminar or class. It will make you feel less nervous. You’ll find the topic, text or materials on the Moodle site for that class. Think about the topic / text / materials and find important words connected to it. Write notes but not complete sentences.
- If you think you have no ideas on the topic, consider which other people or organisations might have an interest or involvement in the topic – Parents? Companies? Employees? What would they think about it?
- Don’t tell yourself your ideas are not valuable or ‘good enough.’ You’re learning a skill.
During the seminar or class:
- You don’t need to wait for someone to call your name before you speak. Try to make a contribution and don’t allow worries about language mistakes to stop you. It’s a discussion – not an exam!
- You are allowed to interrupt if you do this politely: you could say ‘Could I add something?’
- In a small group task, some students may talk a lot and some might be very quiet. Don’t sit silently just because someone else in your group seems more confident.
- Express your ideas and if possible, use evidence or examples to strengthen your points (for example, ‘I think the cost of living is creating problems: lots of people are now using food banks or worrying about paying their bills.’)
- Listen and show that you are listening, by nodding or by responding to what the speaker is saying (for example, ‘Yes, I agree’ or ‘When you say ‘creating problems’, which problems do you mean?’)
- You can disagree with other students and / or with the text you are discussing. Just remember to say why. It’s a good idea to start your reply with a polite phrase like ‘I understand what you’re saying, but…’ or ‘That’s a good point, but…’
After the seminar or class:
- Reflect on the discussion and your participation. What would you do or prepare differently next time? Celebrate your participation!
Skills Guides self-development resources page
Our Skills Guides resources are designed to support your development in a self-guided way. This means you can access support resources wherever you are, whenever you need. We have resources to support you with:
• presentation skills
• critical thinking (for ways to think about and discuss ideas)
Access Study Success Skills Guides
The ISLD Moodle site (self-enrol for free) has a downloadable list of useful phrases for speaking and discussions
Academic and language discussion groups
Attend an academic and language discussion group to grow your confidence in speaking. You do not need to prepare anything to join in and practice.
On the York campus, join the international discussion group every Wednesday, 1.00pm to 2.00pm, Creative Centre: CC / 011.
On the London campus, join the -Communicating with Confidence- group by booking: Book to join a Communicating with Confidence group.
York and London campus students
A range of tutors at York St John University can help you:
• grow your confidence in speaking and presenting
• develop new and existing presenting and communication skills, and
• set you on a path to success with your presentations.
If you are a York campus student, you can book an in-person tutorial on campus or an online tutorial:
Book a 1 to 1 learning tutorial with a Study Development Tutor
Book a 1 to 1 learning tutorial with an International Programmes Tutor (for York International students only)
If you are a London campus student, you can book a tutorial with a tutor from London Learning and Wellness team:
Book a small group learning tutorial with London Learning and Wellness tutor
Enjoy your discussions!