Paraphrase Passport

Before you are allowed to contribute in a discussion, you must paraphrase the previous speaker's point to their satisfaction. Only then does your "passport" get stamped and you can speak.

A discussion protocol that makes listening the precondition for speaking.

Procedure

1. Groups of 3–5. Pose a discussion question.
2. First speaker gives their view (1 minute).
3. Next speaker must paraphrase speaker 1's view first: So you're saying... / If I understood, you believe...
4. Speaker 1 either confirms Yes, that's it or corrects No, closer to...
5. Only after confirmation does speaker 2 give their own view.
6. Next speaker paraphrases speaker 2, and so on.

Why It Works

• Forces actual listening: if you can't paraphrase, you can't speak, so you listen to understand.
• Slows down the discussion: usually a good thing — premature replies are fewer.
• Validates each voice: being heard accurately is rare; this structure makes it routine.
• Natural reformulation practice: students hear their ideas rephrased back, building awareness of paraphrase moves.

Variations

• Short passport: must paraphrase in 10 words or fewer.
• Disagreement requires double passport: if you intend to disagree, you must paraphrase and then also state what part you agree with before you disagree.
• Written passport: each response is written first, paraphrased by the next person in writing, confirmed, then discussion continues.

Where It Shines

• Heated debates: lowers the temperature by forcing listening.
• Multicultural classrooms: where speakers may talk past each other, paraphrase forces alignment.
• Advanced discussion practice: CAE, IELTS speaking, business negotiation skills.

Tips

• Explicitly teach the paraphrase stems first: So, if I understand correctly... / You're saying that... / In other words...
• Let students protest bad paraphrases. The protest is the pedagogy.
• Drop after 10 minutes if the group has internalised the habit — the point is to make it a default, not a permanent crutch.