B. Concept of Small Grup Discussion Technique
atmosphere. Students can express their opinion without pressure, and get knowledge from the other.
2. The Characteristics of Small Grup Discussion Technique
The characteristics define small group. These characteristics are interdependence and interactive, the number of possible interactions among group member, and the possibility of synergy in the group’s afforts and result.21
a. Interdependence an interactivity
Simply meeting and talking with one another is not enough to consitute a small group. If people are primarily interested in individual accomplishments, have little or nothing vested in the activities of one another,or are frequently absent from meetings, this collection of people will not be considered a small groupin this discussion.
b. Exponential Number of Interaction
Another characteristic of small group in the dynamic resulting from the exponential number of interactions among the members. The writer add members to our small group, the writer increas the number of potensial interactions, and the students alter the possibilityies for comunication among member.
21 Thomas E. Harris. Small group and Team Communication.(University of Alabam:
Person Education, inc.2008 ).p.10
3. Principles of Small Group Discussion Technique
According to harmer creating small group can follow the principle as follows:22
a. Friendship
A key consideration when putting students in pairs or groups is to make sure that we put friends with friends, rather than risking the possibility of people working with others whom they find difficult or unpleasant.
b. Streaming
One suggestion is that pairs and groups should have a mixture of weaker and stronger students. In such groups the more able students can hold their less fluent or knowledgeable colleagues.
c. Chance
One war of grouping people is to have students who are sitting next or near to each other work in pairs and groups. We can also arrange random groups by asking people to get out of their chairs and stand in the order of their birthdays.
d. Changing groups
Just because we put student in group at the beginning of an activity does not mean that they have to stay in these groups until the end.The group may change while an activity continues.
22 Jeremy Harmer, The Practice of English Language Teaching Fourth Edition, (Longman: tp, ttp), p. 120-122
4. Procedures of Small Group Discussion Technique
According to Beverly B. Tyner and Sharon there are four types measures fluency in Small group discussion Technique. They are:23
a) Choral reading
Using short selections, such as pieces of selected test or poems, the groups reads and rereads the whole text or part of the text in unison.
The teachers begins this activity by modeling the fluent reading of the text prior to the group’s unison read. Choral reading cannot tak the place of individual reading practice, but it can be used to provide support for students when necessary. This activity is most appropriate for intervention and evolving readers.
b) Partner Reading
Each student is paired with another student in the small group. The students take turns reading previously read text. One student reads while the other tors by listening in the reading pairs, assisting when necessary. This activity provides more practice for students as they reread text.
c) Whisper reading.
Students are asked to reread a text has been read by the group. They read at their own pace in a whispering voice that allows the teacher to monitor and offer support ehen necessary.
23 Beverly B. Tyner and Sharon E. Green, Small Group Reading Instruction, (USA:
International Reading Association, 2012), p. 22
d) Lead reading.
In this activity, a teacher or student reads aloud, and the other students in the group whisper read along with the leader.
Based on the definition above, it can be noted that there are four procedures of Small Group Discussion Technique. The teacher and the students should following that procedures to practice fluency daily in small group session.
7. Steps of Small Group Discussion Technique
The several steps to conduct Small Group Discussion are as follows:
a. The teacher explained about the small group discussion and what should they do in group.
b. The teacher makes the students in small group consist of 4 or 5 students and give number 1-6 for each group member.
c. The teacher give the text and asked the students to read it and comprehend the text.
d. The teacher contributed the questions base on the text given and asked the student to do it with their group.
e. The teacher guided the students work in group.
f. After the students finished the task the writer calls one number randomly, then the students that have that number answered the questions.
8. Advantages And Disadvantages Of Small Group Discussion
According to Ernest W. Brewer, Small Group Discussion has some advantages and also disadvantages, they are:24
a. Advantages of small group discussion
1) Small group work increase students’ talking time.
2) Small group work can mimic real English conversation.
3) Small group work Create a more secure and positive classroom atmosphere.
4) Small group work is more fun.
5) Small group work increase students talking time.
b. Disadvantages of Small Group Discussion
1) Small group work will not help the students pass university entrance examination.
2) The teacher may feel like they are losing control of the class.
3) Students will speak only in their.
4) Teachers are often concerned that student will pick up incorrect English from other students.