What we’re about
This meeting takes place online via Google Meet, as we are a group of people from around the globe joining from Korea, Japan, Australia, Canada, the U.S., Singapore
Are you an advanced English user and you feel like your English has hit the wall?
This group is to push you out of your comfort zone and help break through the plateau.
We are a group, not only for those who simply want to sharpen their English speaking skills, but also for those who want to expand their knowledge and learn things from others with different expertise, skills, and backgrounds.
This is a two-and-a-half-hour meeting involving three activities as follows:
#First session - Discussion (60-min): We first read two articles/op-eds together, and then discuss matters we’ve read on the articles. Topics can be anything related to gender, equality, politics, social and global issues, etc.
#Second session - Presentation & Public speech (30-min) : A person who prepared for a presentation or a speech will be given 30-min to deliver what they prepared. Any topics from your daily life to academic materials for 5 to 10 minutes can be used, followed by Q&As.
#Third session - Debate (60-min): This is a pro and con debate on a given topic. *1. After reading the debate topic, you choose the team to join. *2. Each team comes up with three points of why you agree or disagree on the topic. *3. Each team member elaborates each point in a concise manner. (2-min for each member) *4 Each team takes turns strengthening their own points or refuting any points raised by their opponent’s team. *5. Finalizing speech by everyone. (1.5 mins)
! Half of our members are grad students doing their PhD, Master's, and the rest are working professionals from various fields.
! In case we have more than 10 members joining the meeting, I will divide the group into small groups in order for everyone to have enough time to speak.
! Please be advised that If you are more than 10 mins late to the meeting, you're not allowed to join the meeting that week, even if you have booked your spot.
! A study material will be shared on Tuesday in advance.
! A link to join the meeting will be shared 30 mins prior to the meeting.
You can provide members with anonymous feedback for their improvements.
https://forms.gle/Q2aGbsAqGR2JqjCN8
I'll leave some of the study materials used in previous meetings for your reference. Please have a look and feel free to join us to take your English to the next level!
IMPORTANT NOTES:
1. This study group is to help improve your English, it is your responsibility to be proactive in how to utilize it.
2. Our discussion/debate topics require deep thinking and can be contentious. It is highly recommended to skim through the reading materials. Pre-organizing your thoughts will help you to give your two scents on the discussed matter.
3. As the discussion and the debate can be heated every so often, please be respectful of others and know that we sometimes need to agree to disagree.
4. Please, never, ever hesitate to share your feedback with the person involved about a grammar mistake, a bad habit when giving a presentation, and wrong stress on certain words. A great feedback makes a great improvement.
5. It is completely okay to prioritize your business. Don't be stressed out if you can't make it. This study group is stress-free and working-professional friendly.
6. Members are not permitted to promote their business or commercial services using this group's webpages, messaging, or activities without prior permission. Anyone using group communications or events to do so will be removed. Inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated.
###Organizers reserve the right to remove any member at its sole discretion###
