ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the activity of pairwork and buzz groups in a nutshell, aim of the activity, need of the activity, time required for the activity, how the activity works and the advantages of the activity. The activity aims to give students confidence - in the 'safe' context of pairwork, to break up the monotony of whole-group work, and to get the pairs working on specific tasks for the good, ultimately, of the whole group. Splitting students into small subgroups is a standard strategy and, a good and healthy idea. One particular groupwork idea: split the class up into twos, threes, fours or fives and let them loose on a particular task studying a document or maybe just considering 'factors' or 'reasons' that link into, or underlie, the main discussion topic. Students will gain confidence; they will 'own' and 'control' their discussions, and complete tasks both for their own benefit and that of the other students.
