IBN ZOHR UNIVERSITYFACULTY OF LETTERS

SOCIOLOGY DEPARTMENT

 Introduction to General EnglishS2/ G1

Instructor: Khadija GOUALIkhadijagouali@gmail.com

Facebook: Khadijah Gouali

• The course will introduce you to different language functions.

• One of the main goals of this course is to provide students with the tools to be effective communicators.

• A language function refers to the purpose for which language in speech or writing is being used.

Objectives of the course

Course content

Functional English: - Greetings and introductions - Asking for opinion. - Expressing opinion. - Expressing agreement and

disagreement - Asking for and giving advice. - Making requests and offers. - Making suggestions. - Making and responding to

apologies.          

Assessment

• Participation + presentation OR report (20%)

• Oral exam (80%)

Suggested topics for Presentation

• Pollution• Social media (Facebook,

Twitter…)• University problems• dropout of school• Joblessness • Illiteracy • You can suggest any topic….

Greetings and introductionsMr Smith meets Mrs Brown, one of his students, and her

husband in the street.

• Mr Smith: Good Morning , Mrs Brown.• Mrs Brown: Good morning, Mr Smith. How are you?• Mr Smith: I'm fine thanks, and you?• Mrs Brown: Not too bad. Mr Smith, this is my husband

Michael, Michael this is Mr Smith my English teacher.• Mr Brown: Pleased to meet you.• Mr Smith: Pleased to meet you too. Are you from Germany,

Mr Brown? • Mr Brown: Yes, East Germany, from Dresden. And you, are

you from London?• Mr Smith: No, I'm from Derby, but I live in London now.• Mrs Brown: Well, goodbye Mr Smith, it was nice to see you.• Mr Smith: Yes, Nice to meet you too, goodbye.

Greetings and introductionsMr Smith meets Mrs Brown, one of his students, and her

husband in the street.

• Mr Smith: Good Morning , Mrs Brown.• Mrs Brown: Good morning, Mr Smith. How are you?• Mr Smith: I'm fine thanks, and you?• Mrs Brown: Not too bad. Mr Smith, this is my husband

Michael, Michael this is Mr Smith my English teacher.• Mr Brown: Pleased to meet you.• Mr Smith: Pleased to meet you too. Are you from Germany,

Mr Brown? • Mr Brown: Yes, East Germany, from Dresden. And you, are

you from London?• Mr Smith: No, I'm from Derby, but I live in London now.• Mrs Brown: Well, goodbye Mr Smith, it was nice to see you.• Mr Smith: Yes, Nice to meet you too, goodbye.

Greetings• Hello, …/ Hi, …• Good morning/ afternoon/ evening.• Good/ Nice to see you again.• I’m glad/ happy/ pleased to see you.• How are you? - Fine, thanks. And

you?• How have you been? - Very well. And

you?• How are things? - Not too bad,

thanks.• How is your mother? - She’s fine.

Introductions

Introducing oneself–Can/ May I introduce myself? My

name’s Fatima.–Let me introduce myself. My

name’s Fatima. – I’d like to introduce myself. I’m

Fatima. – I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Fatima.

Introducing someone else:–Can/ May I introduce a good friend of mine? This is Fatima. –Have you met Fatima?–I’d like you to meet Fatima. –I want you to meet Fatima.

Introductions

Now, your turn!!!• Work in pairs and try to come up with a

dialogue in which each one of you tries to use expressions of greeting and of introduction.

• Try to add some expressions by which you introduce someone (your friend, mother, brother…) to your partner.

Asking for and giving opinion

Mrs. Susan   : What’s your opinion on studying abroad?     Tom   : In my opinion, it is a great opportunity!  Mrs. Susan   : Very good. What’s your view on this Lisa?            Lisa    : Well, I think it’s not a good idea especially

for girls. Mrs. Susan   : Good. Any body has another opinion?          Dony   : Yes, I have. I strongly believe that going

abroad is a great idea!Mrs. Susan   : Good. All your answers are correct.     Students   : Thank you.

Asking and giving opinion

Mrs. Susan   : What’s your opinion on studying abroad?     Tom   : In my opinion, it is a great opportunity!  Mrs. Susan   : Very good. What’s your view on this Lisa?            Lisa    : Well, I think it’s not a good idea especially

for girls. Mrs. Susan   : Good. Any body has another opinion?          Dony   : Yes, I have. I strongly believe that going

abroad is a great idea!Mrs. Susan   : Good. All your answers are correct.     Students   : Thank you.

Asking for Opinions

• In your opinion, … ?• How do you feel about … ?• Please tell me your opinion on … • What do you think about … ?• What’s your opinion on … ?• Do you believe that … ?• Do you have an opinion on … ?• In your experience, … ?• What’s your view on … ? Do you have any views on … ?• Would you agree that … ?• Can you give me your thoughts on … ?• Do you share the/my view that … ?• If I asked your opinion about … , … ?

Other expressions…• I know this is not your specialist subject, but … • I know you haven’t had long to think about this

…• I know you haven’t had much time to think

about this, but … • I’d be (very) interested to hear your views on … • What are your (first) thoughts on … ?• What would be your reaction if I said … ?• What’s your position on … ?• Would it be right to say … ?• Would you support the view that … ?

Giving Opinions

• I (really) think that …• I believe (that) …• I’m sure that …• In my opinion / My opinion is …• I have no doubt that / I’m certain that …• I strongly believe that …• I’ve never really thought about this before, but …• My personal opinion is that / Personally, my

opinion is that …• To be honest / In my honest opinion, …• As far as I know, …

• As I see it, ...• Correct me if I’m wrong, but …• It would seem to me that …• My initial reaction is …• Not everyone will/would agree with me, but …• Personally speaking / Speaking for myself, … • Some people may disagree with me, but …• This is just my opinion, but …• Without a doubt, … • You probably won’t agree, but …

Other expressions…

Let’s practice!• Here is a list of controversial topics. Pick a topic that

interests you and ask your partner about his/her opinion.

Example:A: How do you feel about abortion? (asking for opinion)

B: As far as I know, abortion is a crime and our religion forbids it completely. (giving opinion)

• Freedom of speech in Morocco• Restrictions on smoking in public places• Joblessness in Morocco• Violence at the university• Illiteracy in Morocco