Speaking: Interactive Communication C1 - Lesson 3: Mediating Discussions & Facilitating Group Interaction

Speaking: Interactive Communication C1

Mediating Discussions & Facilitating Group Interaction

Listen to the scenario audio here.

What you will learn: By the end of this lesson, you will be able to use advanced, diplomatic phrases to facilitate a group discussion, mediate disagreements, and guide a team towards a productive outcome.

Scenario: The Urgent Project 💬

A team is discussing a project deadline. Notice how Ratha (The Facilitator) manages the different personalities to reach a consensus.

Chea: I just think we need to launch now. We're wasting time. If we wait, our competitor will beat us to the market.

Ratha (Facilitator): "Thanks, Chea. That's a valid point on speed. Before we go further, Soriya, we haven't heard from you yet. What's your take on this?"

Soriya: Well, I'm a bit concerned about launching so fast. The data suggests our app still has critical bugs...

Chea: (Interrupting) But the data is old! We need to move!

Ratha (Facilitator): "Hold on, Chea. Let's allow Soriya to finish her point. Soriya, you were saying?"

Soriya: ...I was saying that the data suggests we'll get bad reviews. I think we need two more weeks to fix the top 3 bugs.

Ratha (Facilitator): "Okay, so we have two competing ideas. Chea, if I'm understanding you correctly, your main concern is losing our first-mover advantage. Am I getting that right?"

Chea: Exactly.

Ratha (Facilitator): "And Soriya, your concern is that launching a buggy product is a bigger long-term risk. ... It sounds like we're all aiming for a *successful* launch, but just disagreeing on the definition of risk. Could we find a middle ground?"

The Facilitator's Toolkit 🛠️ (Click 🔊)

A good facilitator acts like a guide, not a boss. Here are the four key functions you must perform.

1. Guiding (Keeping on Track)

Keep the discussion focused on the main goal.

• That's an interesting point, but let's get back to...
• Let's not get sidetracked. The main issue is...
• Can we stick to the agenda, please?

2. Facilitating (Drawing Out)

Actively include quiet members of the group.

• [Name], we haven't heard from you yet.
• What's your take on this, [Name]?
• Does anyone else have a different perspective?

3. Mediating (Handling Conflict)

Manage interruptions and clarify opposing views.

• Hold on, [Name], let's allow [Name] to finish.
• If I'm understanding you correctly...
• So, what you're proposing is...

4. Synthesizing (Finding Agreement)

Pull different ideas together to find a solution.

• It sounds like we're all aiming for...
• Could we find a middle ground?
• So, are we all in agreement that...

C1 Nuance: Diplomatic Intonation

🗣️ Sounding Firm, Not Aggressive

At a C1 level, *how* you say something is as important as *what* you say. Your goal is to be diplomatic, not angry.

• When interrupting (Mediating): Use a firm, clear, falling intonation. You are taking control politely.
  Example: "Hold on, Chea.↘" (Sounds polite but serious)
• When inviting (Facilitating): Use a warm, open, rising or fall-rising intonation. You sound genuinely interested.
  Example: "Soriya, what's your take on this?↗"

Practice Your Facilitation Skills 🎯

Practice Quiz: What Should You Say?

Read the situation, then choose the *best* phrase for a C1 facilitator. Click "Check Answers" when done.

1. Situation: The team is discussing the new marketing plan, but two colleagues start talking about a football match.

Your best response is:

• A) "Stop talking about football. This is a meeting."
• B) "That's an interesting match, but perhaps we can get back to the marketing plan?"
• C) "I want to talk about the agenda now."

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2. Situation: Two colleagues, Chea and Soriya, are arguing. Chea says, "We must cut costs!" Soriya says, "We must improve quality!"

Your best response to mediate is:

• A) "You are both wrong. Listen to me."
• B) "Okay, let's look at both sides. Chea, your concern is the budget. Soriya, your concern is product quality. Is that a fair summary?"
• C) "Why are you two always arguing?"

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3. Situation: Your team of five is discussing a new idea. Four people have spoken, but one person, Sokha, has been silent the whole time.

Your best way to include him is:

• A) "Sokha, why are you so quiet? Don't you have an opinion?"
• B) "Sokha, we haven't heard your perspective on this yet. What are your thoughts?"
• C) "Okay, so everyone agrees. Let's move on."

Key Vocabulary (Click 🔊)

• To Facilitate (Verb) | សម្របសម្រួល
  To make a process or action easy or easier.
• To Mediate (Verb) | សម្រុះសម្រួល
  To intervene in a dispute in order to resolve it.
• To Synthesize (Verb) | សំយោគ
  To combine different ideas into a new, coherent whole.
• Consensus (Noun) | ការព្រមព្រៀង​ជា​ទូទៅ
  A general agreement among a group.
• Diplomatic (Adjective) | ប៉ិនប្រសប់ (ការទូត)
  Being able to handle difficult situations without offending anyone.
• To get sidetracked (Verb Phr.) | បង្វែរ​ទិស​ដៅ
  To leave the main topic to talk about something less important.
• Middle ground (Noun Phr.) | ចំណុចកណ្ដាល
  A compromise or position halfway between two opposing viewpoints.

Your Mission: The Meeting Mediator ⭐

Your mission is to practice all four skills in a real-world context.

1. Find a video of a panel discussion or debate (at least 5-10 minutes) on YouTube or a news site. Look for one with multiple speakers and some disagreement.
2. Watch it and take notes. Identify:
   • The main topic.
   • The key point from two different speakers (Speaker A and Speaker B).
   • A moment someone is interrupted or a quiet person is ignored.
3. Record yourself acting as the mediator of that discussion. Your 60-90 second recording must include:
   1. A phrase to **Get back on track** (e.g., "That's a good point, but let's return to...").
   2. A phrase to **Paraphrase/Mediate** (e.g., "So, Speaker A, you feel that... and Speaker B, you believe...").
   3. A phrase to **Propose a middle ground** or **Synthesize** (e.g., "It seems we all want... How can we...").