In task 1.2 you listen to discussion on universities of Great Britain. Was it presented in the format of Round table?

The rules of effective interaction in the Round table format

Webster’s New World Dictionary of American Language gives the following historical reference on the notion Round table: “The large table around which, according to legend, King Arthur and his knights sat: it was made circular to avoid disputes about precedence.” Its contemporary meaning is given as “ а group of persons gathered together for an informal discussion, conference, etc., at or as if at a circular table ”.

In the Russian language explanatory dictionary by S.I. Ozegov and N.U. Shvedova the notion Round table is treated as “a meeting during which its participants are discussing different problems in the form of direct interaction, exchange of opinions”. As you see the focus is on informal, interpersonal communication.

 

Round table is the format that is widely used in academic space. Communication in the frame of Round table is characterized by trust and openness, high level of knowledge of the participants, readiness for active participation, spontaneity and joint search. All this is the basis that assists birth of new knowledge. In other words, this is not the «table with ready-made dishes»: this «table» is open for new ideas which were not in mind before one sits at a table. This format resembles Socratic method of communicants` interaction as its goal is to help the communicants to generate new ideas, realize individual knowledge as a value that can always become a public one. (from Introduction to the 1^st volume of the book “La Table Ronde“, Minsk: BSU, 2010)

 

What should one know to participate effectively in Round table discussion?

 

· Firstly, communication in this formatis not a kind of a chaos but a pretty organized activity. The one who initiates the discussion – a moderator or a leader – ascribes certain roles to oneself. It is definitely a set of particular roles but not just a role as the goal of the moderator is quite complex. It includes such activities as introduction of the participants to each other and formulation of the questions for discussion. One should also be a time watcher to guarantee everybody equal opportunities to speak. Besides it’s necessary to control the content of the talk so that not to lose sense of the discussion. Political correctness is another point to check for the moderator, that is gender, race and age aspects of communication appropriateness. The moderator is also the one who gives a word to speak, who poses questions, sums up. In some cases it is necessary to make notes so that to prepare a kind of memorandum at the end of discussion. Of course the moderator can ask somebody from the participants to share some of these responsibilities in case it is difficult to grasp all at once, as is the case with a moderator who is a freshman in the field. In this case the leading roles are shared among the communication leader, the time watcher, the political correctness watcher, the minutes writing person and the summing up person;

 

· Secondly, each participant is responsible for the constructiveness and general spirit of the communication including openness, kindness, readiness to cooperate, tolerance, understanding of the situation of communication. It is important for each to be listened to and understood, which means one is to be ready to ask and answer additional questions. Why to debate the issues giving their negation or support if they are not introduced properly? So the statement of issues and their proper wording is the responsibility of the speakers. Sometimes it may be necessary to repeat the problem discussed or announce its direction change if it is the case. It may be necessary in some cases (if time permits) to discuss if one is happy with the way communication is processing and to make suggestions how to turn it into a more constructive path. In other words, it`s necessary to control both the subject-matter of a round table discussion and the situation of the discussion as it is.

 

· Thirdly, and it is really important to add, participants should care about their diction and the strength of their voice, just as about what they say (avoiding bla-bla-bla talk). A proper for the communicative situation command of language (topic vocabulary, grammar and syntax patterns, register) plus communicative skills, respect for the audience, knowledge of the aims of communication one’s role and general format rules – all these issues are of crucial importance for any effective communication including round table discussion.