6-1 Agreeing and Disagreeing

Discussion Strategies: Agreeing and Disagreeing

Agreeing

Phrases for casual agreeing

• Yeah
• Yep
• Ditto
• Totally
• For sure

Phrases for formal agreeing

• I agree
• I'm with you on this one
• That's a good point
• I see
• True

Body language for agreeing (you can do any or all of these):

• Smile
• Nod “yes”
• Lean forward
• Clap hands one time

Disagreeing

Phrases for casual disagreeing (can be a little rude)

• I don’t think so.
• No way.
• Are you kidding me?
• Are you sure about that?
• Seriously?

Phrases for formal disagreeing

• Well...
• I see where you're coming from, but...
• That's a good point, but...
• I see things a little differently...
• I'd like to share another point of view...

Body language for disagreeing (you can do any or all of these)

• Nod “no”
• Lean backward
• Put hand(s) up like you’re saying “stop”

Example discussion: casual

Student 1: Have you heard about the new Taylor Swift album? It’s awesome.

Student 2: Are you kidding me? It’s the worst thing I’ve ever heard.

Student 1: No way! You don’t like Taylor Swift?

Student 2: No one in their right mind likes Taylor Swift. She’s awful.

Student 1: I don’t think so. I think you’re crazy.

Student 2: Whatever. Have you seen the new Spiderman movie?

Student 1: Yeah, I liked it.

Student 2: Ditto.

Example discussion: formal

Student 1: I think we should have more homework.

Student 2: More homework?

Student 1: If we have more homework, we’ll learn faster.

Student 2: I see where you’re coming from, but I don’t want more homework. I want to enjoy my free time.

Student 1: That’s a good point, but we are here to learn English.

Student 2: Well, true, but I am also young.  I want to relax sometimes.

Student 1: That’s a good point. Maybe we have enough homework.

Student 2: I agree.