Speaking: Specific Purposes B2 - Lesson 4: Contributing Effectively in Meetings & Discussions

Speaking: Specific Purposes B2 - Lesson 4: Contributing Effectively in Meetings & Discussions

Welcome back! Being a valuable team member isn't just about doing your work; it's about your ability to contribute¹ effectively in group settings. At the B2 level, this means moving beyond simply answering questions to actively shaping the conversation by agreeing, disagreeing politely, asking for clarification, and building on others' ideas.

Your Toolkit for Active Participation

A successful discussion requires different types of contributions. Here are the key phrases you need to participate² with confidence.

A Phrase for Every Function:

1. Expressing Your Opinion

"From my perspective³,..."

"The way I see it,..."

"It seems to me that..."

2. Agreeing with an Idea

"I completely agree with [Person's Name]."

"That's an excellent point."

"I'd like to build on what Soriya said. I also think..."

3. Disagreeing Politely

"I see your point, but I have a slightly different view."

"I understand where you're coming from; however,..."

"Respectfully, I'm not sure I agree with that."

4. Asking for Clarification⁴

"I'm sorry, I don't quite understand. Could you explain that again?"

"So if I'm hearing you correctly, you're saying that... Is that right?"

5. Making a Suggestion or Proposal

"I'd like to propose⁵ a solution."

"Perhaps we could consider an alternative approach."

Scenario: A Project Brainstorming Meeting

Listen to this team discussion about a new project. Notice how each member uses different functional phrases to contribute effectively.

Manager: "Okay team, we need ideas for the new tourism campaign. How can we attract more visitors?"

Lina: "From my perspective, we should focus on eco-tourism. Many modern tourists are looking for sustainable travel options."

Dara: "That's a great point, Lina. To build on that idea, we could promote community-based tourism in areas like Chi Phat."

Piseth: "I see where you're both coming from, however, I'm concerned that those areas lack the infrastructure for mass tourism. **The way I see it,** we should first focus on improving existing destinations like Siem Reap and Kampot."

Lina: "Piseth, **could you clarify what you mean by 'improving'?** Are you talking about hotels, roads, or something else?"

Piseth: "Mainly roads and public transport. **I'd like to propose that** we focus the budget on infrastructure first, then marketing second."

The Balance of Speaking and Listening

Effective contribution is a balance. Speaking too much can dominate the conversation, while speaking too little means your valuable ideas are not heard.

The key is active listening. Don't just wait for your turn to talk. Listen carefully to what others are saying. The best contributions are often those that directly connect to, build upon, or politely challenge a point that was just made. This shows that you are not just a speaker, but an engaged and thoughtful participant.

Practice Quiz: What's the Function?

Read the phrase and identify the speaker's main function or intention.

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1. "I'm not sure I fully understand the budget constraints. Could you give us the specific numbers?"

A) Disagreeing Politely
B) Asking for Clarification
C) Making a Proposal

→ Answer: B. The speaker is asking for more specific information to understand the situation better.

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2. "I couldn't agree more with what Dara said. His point about customer feedback is essential."

A) Agreeing Strongly
B) Disagreeing Politely
C) Asking for Clarification

→ Answer: A. "I couldn't agree more" is a strong idiom used to show 100% agreement.

Your Mission: The Active Contributor Role-Play

Your mission is to practice using this functional language in a simulated discussion.

1. Find a partner or small group. Choose a topic to discuss, for example: "What is the best way for a new university graduate to find a good job in Cambodia?"
2. Assign each person a secret "function" to perform during the discussion. For example:
   • Person A: Your job is to politely disagree with one point.
   • Person B: Your job is to build on someone else's idea.
   • Person C: Your job is to ask for clarification about one point.
3. Have a 5-minute discussion where everyone tries to perform their function naturally using a phrase from this lesson. This exercise makes you aware of the different ways you can actively contribute.

Vocabulary Glossary

1. To Contribute: (Verb) - ចូលរួមចំណែក - To give your ideas, opinions, or knowledge to help something be successful. ↩
2. To Participate: (Verb) - ចូលរួម - To take part in or become involved in an activity. ↩
3. Perspective: (Noun) - ទស្សនៈ - A particular way of considering something; a point of view. ↩
4. Clarification: (Noun) - ការបញ្ជាក់ - The act of making something clearer and easier to understand. ↩
5. To Propose: (Verb) - ស្នើ - To suggest a plan, idea, or action for other people to consider. ↩