Hibiscus Teach · Series
Community
Can This Group Actually Work?
Clarify a group’s purpose, handle tension and bring people back to a shared task.
Created by Denis M., British English teacher.
Introductions that create tension
In this programme, the selected scene focuses on introductions that create tension.
Watch for: Do the introductions make everyone feel included?
Clip A quiz · 6 questions
Answer about this clip only. Choose one answer for each question.
Useful English
Can we agree on what we’re here to do?
I’d prefer it if you used my name.
Keep talking · 3 questions
Say your answer before opening the support. Take turns with a partner, or speak aloud on your own.
What makes a group introduction useful?
Support and one possible answer
Names, roles and…
Names, roles and what each person hopes to contribute make introductions useful.
How could you respond to a patronising nickname?
Support and one possible answer
I'd prefer…
I'd prefer it if you used my name, please.
Bring a group back to its task in one sentence.
Support and one possible answer
Can we…?
Can we agree on the first question before discussing anything else?
From conflict to connection
In this programme, the selected scene focuses on from conflict to connection.
Watch for: Which techniques make the speech persuasive?
Clip B quiz · 6 questions
Answer about this clip only. Choose one answer for each question.
Useful English
Let’s recognise what each person brings.
Can we put that aside and move forward?
Keep talking · 3 questions
Say your answer before opening the support. Take turns with a partner, or speak aloud on your own.
When can praise help a group work better?
Support and one possible answer
When it is…
When it is specific and connected to a real contribution.
Can a persuasive speech still hide a selfish motive?
Support and one possible answer
Yes; we should compare…
Yes; we should compare the speech with the speaker's later actions.
Acknowledge a colleague's strength and reconnect it to a task.
Support and one possible answer
Your skill in… could help us…
Your skill in organising details could help us finish the schedule.
Mastery: use your English
Apply language from both clips to new situations.
Mastery · 6 questions
Use the English in new situations. Choose one answer for each question.
Put it all together — speaking
Use English from both clips. For the last conversation, take a role each. On your own, practise both roles.
What fails in the introductions but works in the speech?
Support and one possible answer
Labels versus…
Labels divide the group, while recognising strengths gives them a reason to cooperate.
What would turn a good speech into a workable plan?
Support and one possible answer
Assign tasks and…
Assign tasks, agree a deadline and check that everyone understands their role.
Can you restart a tense project meeting?
Role A
Chair a project meeting after two members argue about roles. The group must choose a presentation topic today.
Role B
You feel your research has been ignored. Explain your concern, acknowledge another strength and agree a concrete task.
Support
Name the goal; acknowledge two strengths; clarify roles; agree the next step.
Check your conversation
- Complete the communication goal on both role cards.
- Use language from both clips naturally, with at least three target items overall.
- Ask a relevant question and respond to your partner, rather than delivering two unrelated speeches.
- Finish with a clear decision, next step or summary; repeat one part after feedback.
One possible conversation, after your attempt
A: Can we agree on what we need to finish today? B: I want my research to be considered. A: Your examples are useful, and Sam can make them clear visually. B: Then I can choose three examples while Sam drafts the slides.
We need one topic today. Your research and your design skills both matter. Let's divide the first two tasks.
Try again: After feedback, repeat the most difficult exchange. Improve one language point and one communication point; do not memorise the example.