Researching and Teaching Discussion in English

Speaking plays an important role in both the academic environment and in the future workplace of university students and graduates who need to be able to use English in formal oral communication. However, there seems to be a lack of practice-related research on teaching spoken communication at university. This work was aimed at applying the concept of 'genre' for identifying, analysing and teaching the oral genre of an argumentative discussion in the academic settings. The study suggests a framework for the development of materials based on oral authentic texts, which prepare students for being able to take part in a formal discussion. The work covers theoretical and practical aspects of designing speaking activities for students of English for Academic and Specific Purposes. Such aspects of the work as characterisation of the genre of discussion, the use of authentic texts for teaching and the development of discussion assessment forms may be relevant to researchers, practitioners and materials designers interested in studying and developing activities for teaching English in tertiary education.