OPINIONS Lesson Plan
By Sanj Saigal
“lessons designed for you�
“This lesson is audio supported at key parts, you can download the recordings onto any portable device so that you can practice. Learning about the way you sound to others is very important. Your voice tones can change the meaning of a sentence or how you feel about a subject or topic.�
Express yourself Lesson Plan • Targeting key vocabulary • Confidence Building • Development of conversational skills • Grammar structures
By Sanj Saigal
Opinion Learning a language is a great accomplishment, but learning how to express yourself and provide opinion requires significant practice.
Voice Tones A key factor in expression is letting your audience know how strongly you feel about a given topic or subject. The pitch of your voice can indicate
to others whether your opinion is strong or weak. Monotone voice tones don’t give much away and this can let you down especially at work where others depend on how strongly you believe in something.
facial expressions, hand and physical gestures. Unfortunately when using the telephone, we are not able to use our body language to help put our message across. This highlights the importance of voice tones used in everyday conversation.
Body Language
Level
We often use our body language as a form of expression, such as
Opinion can be on different levels, general, specific or vague, this
depends on how strongly you feel about something. This lesson plan has been especially designed to encourage students to display how they feel about a variety of different topics. There are video and website links and it also includes a section with support notes on this topic. Being able to express your opinion is
particularly useful with brainstorming sessions which are based on the ability to provide alternative solutions to different problems.
Writing Look out for the second part of this lesson plan which really helps you to express yourself in writing.
Express yourself
1. Men never grow up, their toys just get bigger and more expensive.
compared 4. Everyone to people should work who are to live not negative live to work. and pessimistic. 5. Money makes 3. We only money. 2. People who maintain a 6. Children are positive career in lack social and order to skills. optimistic fund a do better in lifestyle. life
What do you think?
7.Having a good job is based on luck and personality, not skill. 8. People with money are happier than people who have none. 9. The global economical crisis is coming to an end. 10.It’s not as important to buy a house anymore, renting is more suited to modern day life. 11.You need to have a lot of money to fund a large social life. 12.Smart phones have reduced our social skills and redefined how we have relationships. 13.Children should have pocket money, or do you think that it’s an old tradition that has no place in modern society. 14.Learning English as a second language has become fashionable. 15.Inheritance tax should be abolished, it’s a form of double taxation.
16. The grass is greener on the other side. 17. Social networking is used as a medium to display wealth and status. 18. Education has less value than experience. 19. People are delaying marriage and having children in favour of a career. 20. For the generation above you, life was less complicated with fewer problems. 21. Men and women in the workplace are treated equally. 22. Divorce is more acceptable in 2013 than it was in the 1990’s. 23. We are all born with a personality and this cannot be changed. 24.It is possible to be extrovert in a mother tongue and introvert in a second language.
Debate
This part of the lesson plan is designed to evoke a response by defending your opinion. There are always two sides to an Debate 1 Businesses hide behind the Global economic crisis to ensure cheap labour costs, short term contracts and minimal training. Debate 2 The unemployed should be made to work for their unemployment benefit. Debate 3 National service should be introduced to every country, it creates discipline, respect for others and helps to set goals.
argument. Normally students can answer questions but are unable to disagree with a point of view.
“ You don’t always have to agree with a point of view just because you cannot present another point of view�
Finish the sentenses:
10. I might
1. I wish
11. I am happy about
2. I hope
12. I hate
3. I never
13. I get really angry when
4. I am worried about
14. I smile when I see
5. I want
15. I always
6. I love
16. I used to
7. I want to see
17. I am happiest when
8. I enjoy
18. I get stressed out when
9. I get upset when I
Describe:
What would you say?
1. How do you think you sound to others?
1. Someone has pushed past you at a Supermarket checkout.
2. Can you be critical about the way you sound in English?
2. Someone has been sarcastic to you at work.
3. If you could change one thing about your ability to express yourself, what would it be?
3. You are late for work and it wasn’t your fault. 4. You have a faulty product and you want your money back. 5. Your boss wants you to stay late but you can’t.
Expressions
The Difference Your Opinion
Strong Opinion
Requesting Exit Statements Opinion
“I think” “I feel that” “in my opinion” “From my point of view” • “As far as I am concerned” • “The way I see it is”
• “I am so sure that” • I am convinced that” • “I believe that” • “There is no doubt in my mind that” • “I really believe that”
• “What do you think?” • “How do you see it?” • “Whats your opinion?” • “What do you believe?”
• • • •
• “Do you mind if we change the subject” • “Could we talk about something else?” • “let’s change the subject” • “Let’s talk about it another time”
Empathy
“Say it like you mean it!�
The main problem with expression is to be able to use a voice tone that really reflects how you feel.
Aggressive Resource Feedback voice tones are displayed http:// If you have enjoyed when you feel www.thefreediction this lesson plan, please leave a that you want ary.com/tone+of +voice comment on one of to dispute or our sites. Your argue a point. http:// feedback is very
The key is to Softer voice practice and tones are used learn more when you about the way need an that you audience to sound. listen, or you want to side with opinion.
www.wikihow.com/ important to us, Develop-a-Friendly- thank you. Tone-of-Voice