icon-background-square
New
New
Year 7

Working together: productive discussions and active listening skills

I can explain what makes a productive discussion and understand what makes an effective active listener

icon-background-square
New
New
Year 7

Working together: productive discussions and active listening skills

I can explain what makes a productive discussion and understand what makes an effective active listener

warning

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Switch to our new teaching resources now - designed by teachers and leading subject experts, and tested in classrooms.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. A productive discussion means thinking, listening and speaking clearly to develop it in a meaningful way.
  2. Listening is an important discussion skill - it helps to create a supportive and respectful environment.
  3. Active listening means you are completely engaged and focused on what is being delivered to you.
  4. Using positive body language can help demonstrate active listening and keep you focused on the content being delivered.

Keywords

  • Spontaneous - in speaking and discussions this means saying things without prior planning or preparation

  • Productive - achieving a lot or producing good results in an efficient way

  • Respectful - showing consideration and kindness for others' feelings and opinions; treating people politely

  • Active listening - fully concentrating, understanding and responding thoughtfully to what someone is saying

  • Body language - non-verbal cues or gestures such as facial expressions and posture

Common misconception

As long as I am being quiet, I am listening.

Although being quiet is an effective way to show you are listening, there are many other things to consider to ensure you are 'actively listening'.


To help you plan your year 7 english lesson on: Working together: productive discussions and active listening skills, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

You may wish to adapt the scenarios for Task A and B to reflect your own pupils and their areas of development.
speech-bubble
Teacher tip
copyright

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

Loading...

6 Questions

Q1.
Which skills are you most likely to be using when in a discussion?
reading
writing
Correct answer: speaking
Q2.
Which of these would not be considered appropriate in a discussion?
listening
responding or asking questions
Correct answer: interrupting
making eye contact
Q3.
What does it mean to be a good listener in a discussion?
talking the most
interrupting others when you disagree
Correct answer: giving full attention to the speaker and not interrupting
thinking about what you're going to say next
Q4.
Which of the following shows you are being respectful during a discussion?
rolling your eyes when someone speaks
Correct answer: nodding and waiting your turn to speak
whispering to your friend
interrupting to correct the speaker
Q5.
Why might it be a good idea to ask questions during a discussion?
Correct answer: to show that you are paying attention and to clarify understanding
to prove that you are right
to confuse the speaker
to make the discussion longer
Q6.
When giving your opinion in a discussion, what is the best way to communicate?
shouting to make sure you're heard
refusing to listen to others' opinions
speaking without thinking about what you're saying
Correct answer: speaking clearly and calmly, using reasons to explain your opinion

6 Questions

Q1.
What does active listening involve?
multitasking while listening
Correct answer: fully concentrating, understanding and responding
interrupting with questions
nodding without paying attention
Q2.
Which of these is not a key spoken language skill for a productive discussion?
brain thinking
speaking clearly
Correct answer: talking over others
eyes looking
ears listening
Q3.
When referring to speaking and discussions, which word beginning with 's' can be described as: 'saying things without prior planning or preparation'?
Correct Answer: spontaneous, spontaneously
Q4.
Which positive body language gesture demonstrates active listening?
looking at the clock
slouching in your chair
Correct answer: nodding your head
crossing your arms
Q5.
How can active listening improve discussions?
It ensures the listener is always quiet.
Correct answer: It helps the listener respond thoughtfully and develop ideas.
It allows the speaker to finish quickly.
It ends the conversation sooner.
Q6.
Which of the following words are synonyms for the word 'respectful'?
Correct answer: polite
unkind
Correct answer: considerate
disrespectful