Seminar & Tutorial Participation

Speech is human, silence is divine, yet also brutish and dead: therefore we must learn both arts.

~Thomas Carlyle

1. Speaking in class...

   • I often speak in class.
   • I sometimes speak in class.
   • I rarely speak in class.
   • I never speak in class.

2. Talking v. listening

   • I learn better by 'talking through' my ideas.
   • I learn better by listening to others.
   • I don't know how I learn better, I just do what feels comfortable.

3. Valuing input...

   • I find it difficult to understand others when they speak in class.
   • I prefer to listen to the lecturer or tutor than my peers.
   • I value the contributions of others in class.
   • I often think others' contributions are a waste of time.

4. Asking questions...

   • I ask questions in class to clarify things I don't understand.
   • Rather than ask questions in class, I email my lecturer or tutor with my questions.
   • I don't ask questions, I just work things out myself.

5. Going prepared...

   • I try to complete all the assigned readings before class.
   • I work through ideas and arrive at my classes with questions or comments about the material.
   • I rarely finish the readings before class.

6. Addressing your lecturers...

   • I always refer to my lecturers by their titles and last names or Sir/Madam.
   • I always refer to my lecturers by their first names.
   • I refer to my lecturers by whatever name they say they prefer.

7. Gift giving...

   • I often give my lecturers or tutors gifts, especially at the end of semesters.
   • I occasionally give my lecturers or tutors gifts.
   • I never give my lecturers or tutors gifts.

8. Cultural expectations...

   • I behave differently in classes in Australia compared with classes in my home country.
   • I behave the same in classes in Australia and my home country.
   • I have only attended classes in Australia.

9. Your contributions...

   • I feel like my contributions are not worth sharing in class.
   • I feel like my contributions in classes are generally valued by others, including the lecturer or tutor.

Expectations of the University

In some classes at the University of Melbourne, part of your mark will be determined not only by your attendance, but by your contributions. That is, if you always attend but never speak, your mark may suffer.

• If you find it difficult to speak up in class, is it because:
  • you're ill-prepared?
  • you don't understand the material?
  • you don't feel confident of your ideas about the material?
  • you don't like to 'think through' ideas aloud and in front of colleagues?
  • you are generally quite anxious speaking in front of groups (even when you know the material)?
  • you're worried about your pronunciation in English?

Identifying your reasons for limited participation is the first step to overcoming them. Once you've worked out which of the above is holding you back, you can start to develop strategies. Select as many of the possible strategies below as you think might help you participate more.

1. What can you do if you don't understand the material?
   1. Do more reading and note taking.
   2. Speak to your tutor or lecturer outside of class.
   3. Ask questions in class.
   4. Form a reading or study group outside of class.
2. How can you build your confidence to express your opinions in class?
   1. Do more preparation.
   2. Jot down ideas and questions in advance.
   3. Take notes during class about things to which you could respond.
   4. Be prepared to admit that you aren't sure of an idea, but would like to try it out with the class.
3. How can you improve your oral communication skills in English?
   1. Go to one of the workshops run by the Academic Skills Unit.
   2. Visit an Academic Skills Unit adviser.
   3. Enrol in Presenting Academic Discourse offered by the Department of Linguistics.
   4. Practise speaking more often with friends, shopkeepers and lecturers.