DEBATES

Mey

HOW TO PREPARE?•Make a sketch of all the ideas that can

be used to argue for/against a given statement.

•Think of as many examples as possible.

•Don’t behave like

•Use debate strategies, phrases for arguing.

Mey

How to open a discussion?• To start with, ….

• Let’s begin by….

• Let’s look at…..

• The main thing we need to discuss is …

For example: If your task is to argue for/against computers, you can finish these phrases in the following way.

computers have changed our lives .

discussing how computers have changed our lives.

how computers have changed our lives.

how computers have changed our lives.

Mey

How to express your opinion?• I think... • I feel ...• In my opinion, …• I strongly believe

that... • It seems to me that...• As far as I'm

concened,..• If you ask me... • I'd say that...• The point is...• As I see it,..• In my view, …

• From my point of view...

• I am of the opinion that...

• In my experience... • My personal view is

that... • The thing is that…• Personally, I think…• I have a point to make

here.• To be honest,…• I'd like to point out

that...

Mey

How to support your opinion?•Let me give you an example.•For instance,…….•For example, …..•First… Second….. Last but not least

Your Turn. Give examples of how computers have changed our lives.N.B.: Your examples should be relevant, logical and clear.Mey

Be ready to agree or disagree.

• I agree (with you).• I agree with this idea.• I completely agree with this

view.• You are absolutely right.• I couldn't agree more (on

this).• That's a good point • I couldn't agree more • I see what you mean • That's just what I was thinking • I agree entirely • You know, that's exactly what

I think

• Up to a point, but...

• Yes, that's quite true, but...

• Well, you have a point there, but...

• Perhaps, but don't you think that...?

• I see what you mean, but...

• I’m sorry to disagree with you, but…

• I'm not so sure about that.

• I'm afraid I have to disagree.

• I'm not sure I quite agree

• I tend to disagree with you there

• That's not entirely true.

• I’m afraid that’s not how I see it.

• On the contrary…

• I do not believe that…

• I think that’s wrong.

• That's not the point

• No, I think you're wrongMey

How to interrupt you partner?

• Can I just say something here?• Can I make a point here?• If I could just interrupt for a moment...• Sorry , do you mind if I interrupt?

Your options:

Sure, go ahead. Yes, of course.

  Can I just finish what I was saying? If I could just finish making this

point...Mey

LET’S PRACTICE!!!!!

Mey

School doesn’t prepare you for life.

• Students must learn too

much unnecessary

information.

• Lexical knowledge is

tested in most tests and

exams.

• Real problems of students’

future life are rarely

discussed.

• Students make friends at

school.

• Students learn

responsibilty and

discipline.

• A school is society on a

small scale therefore

students learn to socialize.

Come up with some other ideas of your own before starting your debate. (e.g.subjects, teacher-student relationship, traditions, etc.)

Mey

It is useful if children use computers from an early age.

• Computer literacy is an

essential skill for learning

and work.

• They can use technological

devices more easily.

• Parents don’t have to buy

expensive toys.

• Children get addicted to

computers at a young age.

• They don’ spend enough

time outdoors.

• They live in a virtual world.

• They don’t learn to

communicate in person.

Some more ideas?

Mey

We should use public transport rather than cars.

• Fuel is expensive.

• Cars are expensive to buy

and maintain.

• Travelling by car is more

dangerous.

• Using means of public

transport is the first step

towards becoming

environment-conscious.

Only big cities have

efficient networks of

public transport.

Buses, trams, etc. are

always overcrowded.

You can’t take much

luggage with you.

The tickets are rather

expensive.Mey

Why bother with cooking at home if you can have your hot meals in the school canteen or other cheap places instead?

• Shopping for food and

cooking take a long time.

• You can enjoy the company

of your friends at an eating

place.

• There is a wide choice of

dishes to choose from.

• You do not know where the

ingredients come from.

• The portions are either too

small or too big.

• Home-made dishes are more

delicious.

• Cooking at home is cheaper.

Mey

Softening opinions and making generalisations

Sometimes English speakers soften the way they express their opinions so that they don't sound rude or offensive. In that case we can use:

1.Quantifiers:Rather/quite/ a bit +neg. adjective or un-/dis-…+adjectiveSome teenagers are rather impolite. Some of them can be a bit aggressive

2.Adverbs: Not very+ positive adj. That is not very sensible behaviour

3.Verbs:Tend to +infinitive Footballers tend to earn quite a lot of money

4.Fixed phrases:Generally speaking/ on the whole at the beginning of sentenceAt times at the end of the sentence

Generally speaking, most kids are just lazy.Football fans are quite violent at times.

Mey

Use the words/phrases in brackets to soften these opinions about children.

• Children don't do very much sport. (Generally speaking, most)

Generally speaking, most children don't do very much sport.

•  They're spoilt. (tend to, a bit)

• They're rude to their teachers.    (can, quite, at times)

• They're very unhealthy.      (Some of them, not very)

• They watch a lot of TV. (On the whole, tend to, quite)     • They're impatient. (Generally speaking, not very)     • They're selfish.   ( Some of them, can, rather)   

Mey