DEBATES- NEXT YOU FIND SOME VOCABULARY AND IDEAS WILL BE PRACTISING FOR DEBATES

Vocabulary for debates and discussion When you want to state an opinion: INFORMAL In my opinion____ I think that_____ I feel that______ I believe that______ It seems to me that________ If you ask me_____ I'd say that_______ The point is________ As I see it_______ I'd say that______ The point is______

FORMAL You know what I think... I think that____ Wouldn't you say that_______? Don't you agree that_______? I'd just like to say that______ I'd like to point out that_______

When you want someone to repeat or explain: I don't understand what you mean Would you explain that, please? I'm sorry, but I didn't understand your point. Could you give an example? What do you mean by_____?

When you want to agree with someone (in ascending order of formality): You're right I think so, too I agree with you You could be right I couldn't agree more 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

When you want to disagree with someone (in ascending order of formality): Yes, but_____ I disagree That's not the point No, I think you're wrong Up to a point, but________ Yes, that's quite true, but_____ I'm not sure I quite agree Well, you have a point there, but_____ Perhaps, but don't you think that_____ I see what you mean, but________ I tend to disagree with you there

Informal disagreement (between people you know very well) I can't agree with you there You can't be serious!! Come off it! Don't be silly!

When you want to persuade someone: You must admit that___ Do you really believe that_____? Don't you think that______? Don't you agree that____?

Pairwork discussion topics Roleplay situation: Example topic for discussion : "Learning English is pointless". A: I read in this article that learning English is pointless! B: I don't really agree with you there. I'd say it was very useful A: Why do you think that? B: Well, English is now a world language - you need it communicate with people from other countries, to navigate on the Internet, and for international business. A: Oh, I see what you mean.

In pairs, discuss the topics below: space travel is a complete waste of money the Internet is making face-to-face communication obsolete there should be a 50km speed limit on ALL roads English is a very easy language to master all motorists should be obliged to wear seatbelts putting wild animals in cages in zoos is cruel women are worse drivers than men

Topics for group discussion or debate:

• Money invested in space travel should be better invested in helping the poor and needy
• Experimenting on animals in laboratories is cruel
• Genetic engineering is nothing but a violation of the laws of nature
• Cloning could have disasterous consequences for mankind in the future
• The energy crisis is 'necessary' to maintain the world balance in power
• Man is his own worst enemy
• There is always a price to pay in protecting the environment
• In the 21st century mankind will regress to primitive levels of existence
• Animals should not be kept in captivity
• It is right to meddle with Nature
• Too much knowledge is a dangerous thing
• We hope 'teaching machines' will replace teachers
• Man descended from the apes
• Time is relative
• Any method is justifiable if the aim is to preserve life