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Group discussions are one of the best ways to improve your speaking skills. They help you learn how to share your ideas, listen to others, and respond clearly. Many students feel shy or nervous when they speak in front of others, especially in school. But the good news is that anyone can become better at it with practice. You can start learning how to improve your communication skills in group discussion right from your home or school. You do not need special tools—just time, patience, and a little bit of effort every day.

How To Practice Communication Skills In Group Discussion

Start Small to Build Real Confidence

Talking in front of many people can make anyone feel nervous. It is not easy to speak when everyone is looking at you. That is why it is helpful to begin small. Start practising with one or two close friends or family members. Pick any topic that is easy to talk about like “What is your favourite subject?” or “Should we have homework on weekends?”
Once you feel a bit more comfortable, add more people to the group for Communication Skills in Group Discussion. A group of four or five students is perfect for your early practice. Research shows that students who practise this way are 60% more likely to feel confident in larger class discussions. You can even set a goal. For example, “I will speak for 30 seconds without stopping today.” These small goals will slowly help you grow.
Even five minutes of group discussion practice each day can bring a big change in your confidence over a month.

Choose Fun and Simple Topics

At the beginning of Communication Skills in Group Discussion, it is better to choose topics that you like and understand well. Do not pick difficult topics like politics or economics right away. Instead, go for topics like:

• ● “Is pizza better than burgers?”
• ● “Should school start later in the morning?”
• ● “Which superhero is the best and why?”

When you choose a fun topic, your mind stays calm and your words come out easily. Once you are used to speaking, try more serious topics. For example, you can talk about climate change or how technology is helping students. This step-by-step method will help you grow without pressure.

If you need ideas for good speaking topics, you can check books like “Topics for Group Discussion” by Prof. Anand Kumar. It is filled with examples and practice questions that students can use at home or in school.

Use Clear and Simple Language

It is important to speak in a way that everyone understands during the practice of Communication Skills in Group Discussion. Some students think they should use big or fancy words to sound smart. But in a group discussion, what matters more is clarity. If your friends cannot understand you, your message is lost.

Speak in short and clear sentences. Use words that are common and easy to follow. For example, instead of saying “The current education system is undergoing a transformation,” you can say, “The way we learn in school is changing.” Both mean the same but one is easier to understand.

Also, try to keep your thoughts in order. First, explain your point. Then give an example. Then end with a short conclusion. This will help you sound more confident and clear.

Listen with Your Full Attention

Good speakers are always good listeners. While practising the Communication Skills in Group Discussion, you must not only speak well, but also listen carefully to others. If you interrupt someone or speak without listening, it shows you are not respecting the group.

You can improve your listening by doing small exercises at home. Watch a five-minute news video or a short story on YouTube with your family. Then take turns sharing what you understood from it. This will improve your memory and help you listen actively.

In a real group discussion, you can show you are listening by nodding your head, smiling, or saying things like “I agree” or “That’s a good point.” Listening is not only about being silent, it is about showing that you care.

Record Yourself to Watch and Improve

One of the best ways to grow is by watching yourself. Take your phone, record a short video of you speaking for two minutes on any topic. Watch it later and ask yourself:

● Was I speaking clearly?

● Did I use simple words?

● Did I look confident?

This will help you see how you sound and what needs to be better. You can do this once every week. Over time, you will see your own growth.

Some free apps also help you practise speaking and record your voice like Orai or Speeko. These are made just for students who want to improve public speaking and communication skills.

Read More to Speak Better

If you want to express your ideas better, reading can help a lot. Reading gives you new words, new ideas, and new ways to explain your thoughts. You do not need to read big novels. Start small.

Try books like:

● “Good Habits for Great Students” by Meera Patni

● “The Young Chronicle” (Weekly student newspaper)

● “You Can Win” by Shiv Khera

Read for 15 to 20 minutes every day. After reading, talk about what you read with someone at home. This will improve your memory and help you build your confidence in speaking.

Studies show that students who read regularly can speak up to 25% more fluently than those who do not. So make reading a daily habit—it will help you in all parts of life.

Do Not Fear Mistakes

Everyone makes mistakes in Communication Skills in Group Discussion. It is normal. If you forget a word or say something wrong, do not stop. Just take a small pause and continue speaking. Every mistake is a step forward.

Even great speakers have made mistakes during their speeches. What makes them great is that they never gave up. They learned, practised, and became better. So next time you feel nervous, just remember this quote:
“The expert in anything was once a beginner.”

Mistakes are not signs of weakness. They are proof that you are trying. So never stop.

Turn Practice into a Game

You do not need to practise in boring ways. Make it fun. Play small games with your friends or family. Some examples are:

● Just a Minute (JAM) – Pick a topic and speak for one minute without stopping.

● Rapid Talk – Name a topic. Everyone takes turns adding one sentence to the topic.

● Agree or Disagree – Give a statement like “Mobile phones should be banned in school.” Some agree and some disagree, then they talk about why.

These games help you speak quickly and clearly. They also help you think fast, which is very useful in real group discussions.

Ask for Feedback and Keep Improving

After every session, always ask for feedback. Ask your teacher, your parent, or your friend. Ask them what you did well and what can be better. Write these points down in a notebook.

You can even rate yourself each time. For example, give yourself marks out of 10 for fluency, clarity, listening, and confidence. Then try to beat your score next time.

Watching TED Talks or student speech contests online can also inspire you. You can learn how speakers use their voice and hand movements to express their ideas. Try copying their style and make it your own.

Final Thoughts

Practicing communication skills in group discussion does not need to be difficult. You just need to take the first step. Start with short daily practice, choose topics you love, read a little every day, and keep trying without fear. Remember, there is no perfect speaker. There are only students who keep learning and improving.

And as Tony Robbins once said, “The way we communicate with others and with ourselves ultimately determines the quality of our lives.”

Sharda International School is the best private school in Gurugram believes that students should work on communication skills each day to learn more and more. Our students get regular chances to practise group discussions through classroom activities, reading sessions, and creative clubs. These simple steps help them become great communicators—not just in school, but in life too.