Using Big Paper Discussion in Your PTE Training

Educational activities that involve critical thinking and deep concentration enable students to reach their full potential and develop their learning abilities. For PTE exam takers, finding the perfect study activity that can help boost their communication skills is essential as it can help them increase their chances of acing the Pearson Test of English. For instance, one learning activity that you can use is the big paper discussion.

What is Big Paper Discussion?

This learning activity uses writing and silence as tools to help students explore a specific topic thoroughly. In a big paper discussion, students write out their responses to a stimulus, such as a quotation or historical document. Moreover, this study activity also requires at least 5–10 people, so you can invite your classmates from the Pearson center. To boost your interest, even more, read and follow these six simple steps:

Before the big paper discussion starts, tell everyone that this activity will be completed in silence and all communication is done only in writing.

1. Choose a stimulus for discussion
   First, find a stimulus (the material that you are going to discuss). This can consist of questions, documents, course training materials and other topics about the Pearson Test of English.


2. Form the groups
   Form groups with at least 2 to 3 members each as this activity is best when working in pairs or triads. Each group must have a big sheet of paper that can fit a written conversation with added comments. At the middle of each paper, place the “stimulus” that will be used to spark the students’ discussion.


3. Big Paper Discussion 1: Comment on the Group’s Big Paper
   The groups receive a Big Paper containing the same “stimulus,” and each member gets a marker or a pen. As each group read the text, they need to comment and ask questions by writing on the big paper. The written conversation must start on the topic of the text. If one of the group members writes a question, others must answer it by writing on the Big Paper. Each member must draw lines connecting their answer to a particular question.


4. Big Paper Discussion 2: Comment on other Group’s Big Paper
   While working in silence, each group leaves their big paper and walk around reading the other big papers. Each member must bring their marker or pen and can write comments or further questions about the other big paper.


5. Big Paper Discussion 3: New questions on the Group’s Big Paper
   The groups reassemble back at their own big paper. Each group should look at any new questions added by the other groups. Now, the silence is broken as each member can have a free verbal conversation about new questions in their respective big papers. At this point, each member must choose the question that stands out.


6. Discuss as a group
   Finally, everyone must discuss the topic by answering questions such as “What have you learned from doing this activity?” This is the moment where each member must delve deeper into the content and ideas used on the big papers. The discussion can also touch upon the benefits and difficulty of staying silent and the level of comfort while doing this activity.

Still seeking for other educational activities? Enroll now in any Pearson center and subscribe to our blog today!

References:

• "Big Paper: Building a Silent Conversation." Facing History and Ourselves. Accessed April 17, 2018. https://www.facinghistory.org/resource-library/teaching-strategies/big-paper-silent-conversation.
• "Use 'Big Paper' Learning." 3Rs. Accessed April 17, 2018. https://rrr.edu.au/unit/module-3/topic-1/big-paper/.
• Watanabe-Crockett, L "Ten Great Critical Thinking Activities That Engage Your Students." Global Digital Citizen Foundation. October 17, 2017. Accessed April 17, 2018. https://globaldigitalcitizen.org/10-great-critical-thinking-activities-that-engage-your-students.