This document contains information about an English language course taught at Ibn Zohr University in Morocco. It outlines the course content which includes functional English topics like greetings, introductions, asking and giving opinions, agreeing and disagreeing, asking for and giving advice, and making requests and offers. Examples of agreeing, disagreeing, asking for advice, and giving advice are provided. Students are instructed to practice these conversation skills by discussing topics and asking one another for advice on sample problems.

1. IBN ZOHR UNIVERSITY
FACULTY OF LETTERS
SOCIOLOGY DEPARTMENT
Introduction to General English
S2/ G1
Instructor: Khadija GOUALI
khadijagouali@gmail.com
Facebook: Khadijah Gouali

2. 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.

3. Agreeing and disagreeing
Ahmed: I think English is an interesting language to learn
instead of French. What do you think?
Amina: I'm afraid I disagree. In comparison to French,
English is not valued in Morocco.
Ahmed: I have to side with you on this one. In Morocco,
French is given more importance than English but I
personally find English a very interesting language.
Amina: Yeah, there is no doubt about that!

4. Agreeing and disagreeing
Ahmed: I think English is an interesting language to learn
instead of French. What do you think?
Amina: I'm afraid I disagree. In comparison to French,
English is not valued in Morocco.
Ahmed: I have to side with you on this one. In Morocco,
French is given more importance than English but I
personally find English a very interesting language.
Amina: Yeah, there is no doubt about that!

5. Agreeing
• I agree with you 100 percent./ Yes, I agree!/ I totally agree!/
• I couldn't agree with you more.
• That's so true/ That’s right!
• That's for sure.
• You're absolutely right. / Absolutely/ Exactly!
• That's exactly how I feel.
• I have to side with you on this one.
• No doubt about it.
• (agree with negative statement) Me neither.
• (weak) I suppose so./I guess so.
• You have a point there.
• I was just going to say that.
• (slang) Tell me about it!

6. Disagreeing
• I don't think so.
• (strong) No way.
• I'm afraid I disagree.
• (strong) I totally disagree.
• (strong) I'd say the exact opposite.
• Not necessarily.
• That's not always true.
• That's not always the case.
• No, I'm not so sure about that.
• I don't agree with this idea.

7. Let’s practise!
* Discuss these topics with your partner and give reasons why
you agree or disagree.
• Watching too much TV is bad for a child’s mind
• Reading books is a must.
• Women should stay at home and not work.
• Classical music is boring to listen to.
• Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.
• Swimming in the ocean is better than swimming in a public
pool.
• Television is the leading cause of violence in today's society.

8. Asking for and giving advice
• Advice vs Advise
• Advice is a noun meaning a suggestion or
recommendation. It is an opinion about what
could or should be done in a situation or about a
problem.
Example: My father gave me this piece of advice when I was
young: never give up.
• Advise is a verb meaning to give advice.
Example: I advise you to learn English. You will undoubtedly
need it in your higher studies.

9. Asking for and giving advice
• Student: I'm terrible at English and I think I should
do something about it. What do you advise me to do?
• Teacher: I think you should try this website. It's a
fantastic website for beginners.
• Student: I've heard about it, but what do you think I
should start with?
• Teacher: You'd better start with the lessons. Then, try
the exercises.

10. Asking for and giving advice
• Student: I'm terrible at English and I think I should do
something about it. What do you advise me to do?
(asking for advice)
• Teacher: I think you should try this website. It's a
fantastic website for beginners. (giving advice)
• Student: I've heard about it, but what do you think I
should start with? (asking for advice)
• Teacher: You'd better start with the lessons. Then, try
the exercises. (giving advice)

11. Asking for advice
• I've got a bad toothache. What do you suggest?
• What do you advise me to do?
• What should I do?
• What ought I to do?
• What's your advice?
• If you were me what would you do?

12. Giving advice
• If I were you, I would go to the dentist.
• Why don't you go to the dentist?
• You'd better brush your teeth regularly.
• You ought to/should avoid eating
sweets.
• If you take my advice, you'll go to the
dentist.
• It might be a good idea to brush your
teeth on a regular basis.
• I advise you to brush your teeth on a
regular basis.
• Have you thought about seeing a
dentist.
• I think you should…
• Maybe you should ...
• You might try (verb+ing...)
• It might be a good idea to ...
• My advice would be to ...
• How about (verb+ing....)?

13. Another example!
• Brother: I did well in the exam, but I got a bad mark.
What should I do, please?
• Me: If I were you, I would check my hand writing and my
answers before submitting my papers.
• Brother: Thanks, but I’ve already done it.
• Me: Then, I don't know what to advise, I'm afraid.
• Brother: ok! Thanks anyway.

14. Another example!
• Brother: I did well in the exam, but I got a bad mark.
What should I do, please? (asking for advice)
• Me: If I were you, I would check my hand writing and
my answers before submitting my papers. (giving advice)
• Brother: Thanks, but I’ve already done it.
• Me: Then, I don't know what to advise, I'm afraid.
(declining to give advice)
• Brother: ok! Thanks anyway.

15. Declining to give advice
• I don't know what to advise, I'm afraid.
• I wish I could suggest something, but I can't.
• I wish I could help.
• I'm afraid I can't really help you.

16. Problems
In pairs, choose one of these problems
and try to come up with a dialogue in
which you ask for and give a piece of
advice.

17. Best of Luck!