Discussion: Starter Activity

Work in a group and decide •The three safest countries in the world•The three most famous actors/actresses in the world•The three most exciting movies in the world

•Don’t worry if you don’t agree: it is all part of the conversation!

Discussion

• When you are having a discussion, with friends or in a seminar situation, you need language to help you:

• Give your opinion• Agree• Disagree• InterruptWhat kind of language do you know in

English that can help you do this?

Discussion: language input

• Discussion Language: on the next slide there are some pieces of language. There are two tasks to do:1. Separate the language into opinions, agreeing, disagreeing and interrupting2. Work in pairs. Put them in order according to how polite/formal you think each piece of language is.

• I think As far as I’m concerned…• You can’t be serious From my viewpoint… • That is so true Sorry, but……• As I see it You have to be joking!• Rubbish! We feel the same on this.

• Absolutely That’s a very good point.• I’m with you on this Wait a minute!• Sorry, could I come in here?• Excuse me, but may I just say….• I see what you mean, but…• I totally agree with you.• I’m afraid I don’t really agree with you

Answers: in order of formalityOpinions DisagreeingFrom my viewpoint… I’m afraid I don’t really agree with

youAs far as I’m concerned I see what you mean, but… I think.. Sorry, but…..

You have to be joking!You can’t be serious!

Agreeing Rubbish!I totally agree with youThat’s a very good point InterruptingWe feel the same this Excuse me, but may I just say…That is so true Sorry, could I come in here?I’m with you on this Sorry, but…Absolutely Wait a minute!

Other factors in a discussion

• How do you do the following in a discussion:– 1. Take turns speaking– 2. Use your voice to indicate your opinion– 3. Interrupt in a more informal discussion with

friends.– 4. React to an interruption

Seminars vs Social Discussion

• Look at the following discussion topics: what type of language would you use?– An academic seminar– Discussing politics with a friend– Discussing UFOs– Talking to an official– Discussing topics in a pub– Disagreeing with an older member of your

family

Practice 1: Agreeing and Disagreeing

• Any discussion requires you to give reasons or facts or examples to explain you opinion or why you agree/disagree with someone. Let’s practise this.

• Work in groups. One person will give an opinion on a topic from the next slide and the rest of you will agree or disagree with them; giving your reasons.

Topics

• British weather• Favourite type of movie (action, romance,

sci-fi…)• Causes of global warming• The best way to make money• Current student fashion in clothes• Making friends abroad• Other…?

Practice 2: interrupting

• Your teacher will talk about international cuisine.

• Your task is to interrupt whenever you:– Don’t understand the reference– Disagree with the teacher’s statements– Want to give more information on the topic– Want to ask a question

The idea is to interrupt as much as possible

Practice 3: Interrupting

• Look once more at the topics on slide 9. Each student should choose one topic to talk about.

• The other students in the group have to interrupt the speaker as often as possible.

• Remember, everybody interrupts: don’t get too serious about it!

Free Discussion

• Look at the work sheet that you have been given and use your discussion language to help talk about the topics given