Lesson 9

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Lesson 9, talking about current events – giving opinion – agreeing and disagreeing
Goals:
Exposing your point of view
agreeing and/or disagreeing with someone else’s opinions
INTRODUCTION
John Stuart Mill was a member of British Parliament between 1865 and1868. Perhaps he is most famous for his controversial essay titled 'On Liberty', in which he says ... 'If all mankind minus one, were of one opinion, and only one person were of contrary opinion, mankind would be no more justified in silencing that one person, than he, if he had the power, would be justified in silencing mankind'.
For those of you who don't speak 'politician', (which is another language entirely, made up of 10% English, 40% media-friendly doublespeak, and 50% waffle), here's the translation:
'You can have an opinion if you want one'.
And that's where the problem begins. Because people are basically ... well... people, the fact that it is within my rights to have an opinion means that I'm jolly well going to have one whether I do have one (an opinion) or not.
So, in a world of people firing out opinions left, right and center, how do I go about getting mine heard? And here, once again, is a list of useful sentence starters that will immediately convey your attitude, get others to listen, and prepare them for what comes next ...
EXPRESSIONS 
ASKING FOR AN OPINION - AGREEING AND DISAGREEING
ASKING FOR AN OPINION
Asking for opinion is a skill in a good manner will mean that you get more information. In general, questions need to be: 1.Put politely; 2. Clear; 3. About one issue; 4. Encourage a response:
	Formal
	Informal
	Have you got any comments on ….?
Do you have any idea?
Do you have any opinion on ……? 
Would you give me your opinion on……….?
What is your reaction to ….? 
What is your opinion/feeling about……….?
What are your views on……….? 
What are your thoughts on all of this?
Do you have anything to say about this?
How do you see the situation?
	What do you think of…….?
What do you think about………?
What is your opinion? 
Do you think it’s going to…? 
What's your idea?
How do you feel about that? 
What's your view?
1. STATING AN OPINION
	NEUTRALLY
	STRONGLY
	GENERAL POINT OF VIEW
	In my opinion.../ I think.../I feel that…/ 
I reckon…/In my view…
Allowing for the fact that...,
To start with, /Considering...,
If you want my honest opinion....
As far as I'm concerned...
If you ask me, I’d say that...
I'd like to..., I'd rather..., I'd refer...,
The way (As) I see it..., 
If it were up to me...,
I (would) tend to think (to believe) that… /My belief is …
To my way of thinking, … 
Speaking for myself…
I'd like to point out that… 
This depends on/This is a matter of what/how much/how many/where/when…
	I'm absolutely convinced that…
I'm sure that…
I strongly believe that…
I have no doubt that…
Without a doubt, … 
Obviously, there is no doubt…
As/Contrary to what has been said, I think that…
	It is thought that... 
Some people say that...
It is considered...
It is generally accepted that...
Almost everyone uses filler words or verbal pauses while communicating their thoughts. Whether it's at work, in class, or giving an opinion, these verbal tics are often involuntary and understandable.[1: Tic [noun] a sudden and uncontrolled small movement, especially of the face, especially because of a nervous illness]
The challenge is that many of us can't even make it through one sentence without using umm, like,
I mean, or you know as a verbal crutch (amulet) to transition onto our next thoughts. Filler words then become distractions - they can make us sound unprepared, unclear, or even irritating, so use them with parsimony.[2: /ˈæm.jə.lət/ an object worn because it is believed to protect against evil, disease, or unhappiness][3: /ˈpɑːrsəmoʊni/ [uncountable] (formal) the fact of being extremely unwilling to spend money]
Examples of fillers are:
I mean ...You see ...So ...Well, ...let me see ...Look ...Listen ...If you see what I mean ...Do you see what…I mean? ...
Now watch the video:
DIALOGUE SITUATION 1: ASKING AND GIVING OPINION
What do you think about my new house?
It is beautiful. I think. Oh, you have many novels in your new house. 
Yeah, some. I like Andrea Hirata’s novels.
How do you feel about Andrea Hirata’s novels?
I feel they are great novels.
Yes, you are right. I think it is going to rain. 
I don’t think so. Look outside at the sky! It’s so clear. No clouds there.
But I watched the weather forecast yesterday. It said that today is going to rain. OK Mr. Zoe see you. 
DIALOGUE SITUATION 2: ASKING AND GIVING OPINION 
Read the following dialogue. It is an example of dialogue of expressions of asking and giving opinion:
Chico: Chica, what do you think about pop music recently? I mean, do you like it?
Chica: Well, I’d say I don’t really like it. I’d prefer jazz.
Chico: Why? I think pop music is very entertaining. 
Chica: In my opinion‚ jazz music is relaxing.
Activity
Answer the following questions based on the dialogue above:
1. What are they talking about? They are talking about music preferences.
2. Can you find any expressions of asking opinion? What are they? Yes, “what do you think about…?” “do you like it?” Can you find expressions of giving opinion? What are they? Yes, “I don’t really like…” “I’d prefer…” “…is very entertaining” “In my opinion…” “…is relaxing”
What is Chica’s opinion? She thinks Jazz is the best music type.
What is Chico’s opinion? He thinks pop music is very entertaining.
Note the diagram below: 
Criticizingempty,
sinister,
bleak,
dreary /ˈdrɪr.i/ (dull),
inhospitable,
ill-designed,
• I find this1
• I find it IN THAT/ BECAUSE ...
• I think it is
• I don't like it at all,
• I fail to see the purpose of it, IN THAT/ BECAUSE ...
• It really is a failure / a flop, 
hospitable
big
intimate 
open
simple
sober
simple
 enough.
• I find this is2
 not
• I find it is .
• I think it is too
cars
people
shops
3
too few
too many
• I find there are
sunlight
shade
empty space
4
too little
too much
• I find there is
	
Use the expressions above and model a short discussion conversation: 
A: What do you think of people who jump the queue in supermarkets?[4: (British English) (US- Jump the line)]
B:  I think they are annoying and they should....
MORE HELPFUL EXPRESSIONS:
 .... silly, lazy, impatient, ...are annoying ,.... annoy you,.. drive you crazy,... make  you mad,...frustrate you,....are  frustrating, ..irritate…etc. you.
What do you think about ...?
Ketchup packs you can't open..........
People who talk about soap operas.............
People who steal your answers in class........
Songs that have bad lyrics..........
Slow walking shoppers...........
People who crack their fingers to show off....
Waiters who look the other way.....................
Blackouts in the middle of good movies...........
People who press the lift button after you.........
Click the icon and look:
EXPRESSING AGREEMENT AND DISAGREEMENT
	AGREEMENT
	DISAGREEMENT
	I agree 100 percent.
I couldn't agree more with you. 
That's so true. / That's for sure. 
(informal) Tell me about it!
You're absolutely right. 
Absolutely. / Exactly/ Of course. 
That's exactly how I feel.
I have to side with you on this one. 
No doubt about it.
(agree with negative statement) Me neither. / Neither do I. /I don't think so either.
(weak) I suppose so. /I guess so.
You have a point there. /That's a good point.
I was just going to say that.
Yes, I agree. /I think so too. / So do I. 
I'd go along with that.
That's just what I was thinking.
	I don't think so (that)
(strong) No way.
I'm afraid I (have to) disagree/I don’t agree.
(strong) I totally disagree. 
I beg to differ.
(strong) I'd say the exact opposite. 
Not necessarily.
That's not always/entirely true. 
That's not always thecase.
No, I'm not so sure about that. 
That's not the same thing at all.
I must take issue with you on that.
(strong) It's unjustifiable to say that.
No matter how loud you speak, you won’t persuade me.
No matter how hard you try, you can’t
prove your point.
(strong) No matter whose opinion it is, it’s absurd.
	EXPRESSING 
AGREEMENT AND
CONTINUING THE
DIALOGUE
	EXPRESSING PARTIAL
AGREEMENT AND
CONTINUING THE
DIALOGUE
	EXPRESSING DISAGREEMENT
AND CONTINUING THE
DIALOGUE
	The point you made
about that point is excellent. I’d like to add that…
I agree with your comment “…”. 
What do you think about…?
I’m with you on that
point. What I still
wonder about is….
I think what you’re
saying about…. is so
right. What would
happen though if…?
Yes, and in fact….
Yes, and what is more…
Absolutely. Actually, I
would go further, and say…
	I agree with……, but
what about …….? 
That’s a good point, but in my opinion….
That could apply in some situations, but what about when….? 
It’s certainly true that…, but on the other hand….
I can see that…., but I think it’s also important to consider….
That makes sense, but could it also be true that….
I see what you mean with…, but I also think we need to consider….
	I don't agree with you, however… 
I'm sorry to disagree with you, but… 
Yes, but don't you think…
Don't you think it would be better...? 
Let's face it, the truth of the matter is...,
Shouldn't we consider...,
I can appreciate your point about…, but I would disagree because….
That’s interesting, however, from my point of view….
That may be the case, but in my experience….
I’m afraid I can’t agree with… because ….
I don’t think your point about… necessarily follows because…
1. Avoid to use words like never and always. 
This type of language can easily lead to arguments about the wrong thing and take a discussion completely off track.
2. Avoid to criticize the person who made the comment.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion. Just because someone thinks differently doesn’t make them better or worse than you. Sticking to comments about ideas keeps the dialogue interesting and avoids making it personal.
Now, it’s your turn: 
Do you agree or disagree with the following statements?
1. People are never satisfied with what they have; they always want something more or something different.
2. Reading action (such as novels and short stories) is more enjoyable than watching movies.
3. Only people who earn a lot of money are successful.
4. Children should be required to help with household tasks as soon as they are able to do so.
5. Decisions can be made quickly, or they can be made after careful thought. The decisions that people make quickly are always wrong.
6. When people succeed, it is because of hard work. Luck has nothing to do with success.
7. Nowadays, men and women share responsibilities in raising children and household chores.
8. Teenagers today spend a great deal of their time surfing on the Internet.
AND REMEMBER: If you can’t get to an agreement, don’t come to blows (sair no tapa), just say “Let's just move on, shall we?” Let's drop it. (deixa estar) or I think we're going to have to agree to disagree, unless you want to be sarcastic and then you say Whatever you say or If you say so.[5: come to blows (over something) = to start fighting because of something]
Agree to disagree [Cliché] to calmly agree not to come to an agreement in a dispute.: We have accomplished nothing except that we agree to disagree.
Agree to disagree to decide not to argue about something anymore.: The two countries can agree to disagree on this issue and still have a cooperative relationship.
Activity
NOW, LET’S TAKE A LOOK AT SOME IDIOMS: PERSONAL FEELINGS AND OPINIONS 
Match the idioms with their meaning and then complete the sentences:
IDIOMS
1. To figure out
2. To feel guilty
3. To be dying to
4. Can't stand
5. To get cold feet
6. To go blank
7. To get over
8. To be kidding
9. To feel deep down
10. To have second thoughts
MEANING
(9) To show your true feelings about something.
(6) Not to remember anything - happens often on tests!
(8) To be joking, not serious.
(5) To become unsure about an important decision.
(1) To understand after consideration
(7) To recover from an illness or very bad news.
(2) To feel bad about something you have done.
(10) To be unsure of something you have already done - very similar to get cold feet, only that, in this case, the action has already been completed.
(3) To be very eager or keen to do something.
(4) To despise or hate something.
GENERAL EXERCISE: MATCH THE OPINIONS WITH THE REASONS BELOW
It is better to drink coffee in the morning than at night because… (f)
It is better to use cold water for washing than hot water because… (e)
It is better to take a quick shower than a long bath because… (g)
It is better to hang laundry outside to dry than use a drier because… (h)
It is better to walk to the station than drive to the station because… (c)
It is better to eat raw vegetables than boiled vegetables because… (d)
It is better to eat brown rice than white rice because… (b)
It is better to be safe than sorry because… (a)
being careful prevents accidents.
it is natural and has more fiber.
it is good exercise and doesn’t cause air pollution.
they have more vitamins and minerals.
it saves energy, you don’t have to heat the water.
if you drink it at night, it might keep you asleep.
it saves time and water.
it saves energy.
KEY: 1 – F; 2 – E; 3 – G; 4 – H; 5 – C; 6 – D; 7 – B; 8 – A. 
Now, it’s your turn:
Do you agree with the opinions above?
What other reason would you give?
He ____ is dying to ________ go to the Red Hot Chili Pepper's concert next week.
He must _____ be kidding_________! He can't really mean what he says.
He really did poorly on the test. When it came to take it, he ___ went blank _________ and couldn't answer anything.
I just ____ can't stand ________ listening to him lecture. He is so boring!
I'd like to apologize for last weekend. I __ feel guilty_____ about not having telephoned to say I wouldn't be able to come. 
It's really difficult to ___ figure out______ what you mean if you don't explain yourself.
Jason is having a hard time ___ getting over_________ the death of his cat.
They're not sure that want to get married. I think they ____ are getting cold feet________.
Unfortunately, he ___ is having second thoughts______ about the car he just bought. It seems that it doesn't get very good mileage.
When you think really hard, you should always be able to know what you feel ___deep down_____.
are getting cold feet – be kidding – can't stand – feel deep down – feel guilty – figure out – getting over – is dying to – is having second thoughts – went blank
KEY: is dying to – be kidding – went blank - can't stand – feel guilty – figure out – getting over – are getting cold feet – is having second thoughts – feel deep down.
Match the idioms with their meaning and then complete the sentences:
	IDIOMS
	MEANING
	1. To fall head over heels
	(2) To despise, hate, can't stand
	2. Can't bear
	(6) To risk one's reputation for someone
	3. To be tongue tied
	(10) To adore something or someone, be in love with something or someone
	4. To be over someone's head
	(8) To be very hopeful about something
	5. To draw a blank
	(7) To disagree strongly with someone or something
	6. To go out on a limb for
	(3) Not to be able to say a word
	7. To be at odds with
	(9) To depress someone
	8. To keep one's fingers crossed
	(4) To be much too difficult for someone
	9. To get someone down
	(1) To completely fall in love with someone
	10. To be crazy about
	(5) Not to have any idea about the answer to a given question
KEY: 2 – 6 – 10 – 8 – 7 – 3 – 9 – 4 – 1 – 5.
Could you give me some time to answer that question? I'm afraid I am _ drawing a blank ____.
He reallywants to buy that new Citroen. He is __ crazy about it___!
I am _keeping my fingers crossed____ about getting the scholarship to attend university.
I hate the end of the semester. I _ can't bear ____ the thought of having to take all those examinations.
I think I _ have fallen head over heels____ for Mary.
I will risk anything for Tom. In fact, I _ have gone out on a limb for____ him a number of times.
I'm afraid I failed the test. It was so difficult that it _ was over my head____. 
Jack just doesn't know what to say. He __ is tongue tied___.
Mark and Jessica don't agree about anything. They _ are at odds with____ each other.
Winter is so gray and dull. It really__ gets me down___.
are at odds with - can't bear - crazy about it - drawing a blank - gets me down - have fallen head over heels - have gone out on a limb for - is tongue tied - keeping my fingers crossed - was over my head
KEY: drawing a blank - crazy about it - keeping my fingers crossed - can't bear - have fallen head over heels - have gone out on a limb for - was over my head - is tongue tied
- are at odds with - gets me down
Look at the texts below and give your opinion about the discussion topic:
CULTURAL DIFFERENCES
Most European countries have multi-racial societies owing both to historical and geographical factors. Military conquests, persecution and economic hardship have all contributed to waves of immigration.
Early British history highlights the influence of the Romans, the Vikings, the Saxons and the Normans. More recently, we have opened our doors to people from our former colonies seeking jobs, refugees seeking political asylum and other members of the European Community.
Racial integration has been successful in many areas of Britain. Intermarriage between people of similar cultures is now very common. The popularity of Chinese and Indian food and support for events such as the Notting Hill Carnival show a further acceptance of cultural differences.
However, good race relations have proved more difficult where there has been large-scale immigration involving dissimilar cultures, especially in areas of social deprivation - for example, where there is poor housing and high unemployment. Not only do immigrants become scapegoats for the problems of these areas, but they, themselves, may be reluctant to integrate for reasons of religion or cultural identity.[6: Scapegoat noun UK ​ /ˈskeɪp.ɡəʊt/ US ​ /-ɡoʊt/ a person who is blamed for something that someone else has done = bode expiatório]
CULTURAL DIFFERENCES
A: What do you think is the problem between the English and the Americans?
B: That's a very interesting question, because both nationalities share a common language and are usually on the same side in war-time, yet they rarely speak well of one another on a personal level.
A: Are we talking about a struggle for superiority?
B: Yes, but we measure our superiority in different ways. Ours is cultural and historical. We believe we're more civilized. We're the country of Shakespeare and the industrial revolution. Americans visit England in search of culture and history. 
A: So, in what ways are they superior?
B: Well, obviously in size. Everything's bigger - their country, their salaries, their roads, their companies. Theirs is the land of MacDonald's, Coca Cola, Microsoft and IBM. They enjoy telling us that they're the best.
A: And are they right?
B: Yes, if you measure success purely in dollars, but there are two points here. Firstly, many English people actually believe that "Small is Beautiful". They prefer countries where you don't get mugged in parks and subways.
A: What's the other point?
B: I was coming to that. It's the difference in character. Maybe you think you're the best in the world, but you don't go shouting about it from the rooftops. Americans lack our modesty and reserve. They're probably warmer and friendlier, but they're often very loud and extrovert to go with it.[7: 4 [uncountable] the quality that somebody has when they do not talk easily to other people about their ideas, feelings, etc.synonym reticence: Jaime always talked to people without reserve.]
A: So, you prefer the British character?
B: Not entirely. We tend to be rather oblique [/əˈbliːk/ indirect] in our conversation. When Americans speak, you can take them literally, but when English people speak you have to read between the lines.
A: We say one thing and mean another?
B: Exactly.
Some Perceptions of Americans
Europe & especially England. "Americans are stupid and unsubtle (não refinados, clumsy). And they are fat and bad dressers."
Finland. "Americans always want to say your name: 'That's a nice tie, Mikko. Hi Mikko, how are you Mikko?'
Indian. "Americans are always in a hurry. Just watch the way they walk down the street."
Kenyan. "Americans are distant. They are not really close to other people -- even other Americans."
Turkey. "Once we were out in a rural area in the middle of nowhere and saw an American come to a stop sign. Though he could see in both directions for miles, and there was no traffic, he still stopped!"
Colombia. "In the United States, they think that life is only work."
Indonesia. "In the United States everything has to be talked about and analyzed. Even the littlest thing has to be 'Why, why, why?'."
Ethiopia. "The American is very explicit. He wants a 'yes' or 'no'. If someone tries to speak figuratively, the American is confused."
Iran. "The first time my American professor told me 'I don't know, I will have to look it up', I was shocked. I asked myself 'Why is he teaching me?'"
Having in mind the ideas in the texts above, answer the following questions in one paragraph. Don't forget the conjunctions that will make your text cohesive.
But - However - nevertheless - so - therefore - thus - consequently - then - hence - Although/though - Even though - in spite of/despite - besides - moreover - furthermore - because - as - since - for - and –nor –or – yet – both...and... - either...or... - neither...nor... - not only...but also... - whether...or... - as - if - in order to - like - so that - unless – while.
Discussion questions
"Cultural differences cause problems. It is better for people to stay in their own countries rather than to migrate to other ones." Do you agree? 
Would you prefer to live in a monoculture or a multi-racial society? Why?
"It is better to study major international languages like English rather than to spend time on minority languages for the sake of regional identity." Do you agree?
Is it better to marry someone of the same cultural background?
How do you think "British Culture" differs from "N. American Culture"? How do these cultures differ from the culture of your own country?
Next class, you will study:
How to expose your point of view about current events
how to propose and run a debate
in this class, you:
Learned how to expose your point of view
learned ways to agree and/or disagree with someone else’s opinions