This document outlines an agenda for a seminar on expressing and responding to opinions. It discusses preparing opinions on statements about education priorities and university topics. Examples are provided of language used to exchange opinions, such as "I think that..." and "What do you think?". Participants are asked to decide if they agree or disagree with sample statements and take notes to prepare for a group discussion. The goal is to help people feel comfortable expressing, discussing, and responding to different points of view on various subjects.

1. ABERDEEN 2040
Seminars
Week 1 Session 2
10 PSE

2. Preparing for a seminar
Today we are going to look at:
• expressing & responding to opinions
Before we start
In your country is it considered impolite to disagree with the opinions of:
a) Lecturers
b) Classmates
What we are going to cover today

3. Responding to an opinion
Education should be a priority for government spending, even
more than health, transport, and defence
Ex1. Do you agree with this statement? Note down 2 points to
support your view.
In groups, discuss your opinions.
Oxford EAP unit 1 p 9 task 4

4. Responding to an opinion
Ex2 Listen to extract 2 from the discussion about education. The
speakers are talking about:
Education should be a priority for government spending, even
more than health, transport, and defence
1. Do the speakers agree or disagree with the statement?
2. Did any of the speakers make the same point as you or other
people in your group?
Oxford EAP unit 1 p 9 task 4

5. Responding to an opinion
Ex 2. Answer: A and B agree that education is very important. C
thinks other things like health and transport are also important.
Oxford EAP unit 1 p 9 task 4

6. Language to express and exchange opinions
p10

7. 1. I think that ….
2. What about you …
3. For me …..
4. I would say ( that)…..
5. Yeah absolutely
6. Yeah but what about ..?
a. What do you think?
b. I see what you mean
c. I don’t agree with that
d. I think that is right but
e. I wouldn’t say that
f. I agree with /that
Opinions
p10 Task 5, ex1 Listen again to extract 2 & tick the phrases
that you hear

8. 1. I think that ….
2. What about you …
3. For me …..
4. I would say ( that)…..
5. Yeah absolutely
6. Yeah but what about ..?
a. What do you think?
b. I see what you mean
c. I don’t agree with that
d. I think that is right but
e. I wouldn’t say that
f. I agree with /that
Opinions
p10 Task 5 Listen & tick the phrases that you hear

9. 1. I think that ….
2. What about you …
3. For me …..
4. I would say ( that)…..
5. Yeah absolutely
6. Yeah but what about ..?
a. What do you think?
b. I see what you mean
c. I don’t agree with that
d. I think that is right but
e. I wouldn’t say that
f. I agree with /that
Opinions
Task 5: ex 2 Decide which function from the blue box on p10
each point is used for : Giving opinion/Asking for opinion/
Agreeing/ Disagreeing/Recognizing opinion

10. 1. I think that …. Giving opinion
2. What about you …Asking for
3. For me ….. Giving opinion
4. I would say ( that)….. Giving
opinion
5. Yeah absolutely Agreeing
6. Yeah but what about ..? Asking
for
a. What do you think? Asking
b. I see what you mean Recognizing
opinion/agreeing
c. I don’t agree with that Disagreeing
d. I think that is right but Disagreeing
(politely) + recognizing opinion
e. I wouldn’t say that disagreeing
f. I agree with /that Agreeing
Opinions
Task 5: ex 2 Decide which function from the blue box on p10 each point is used for :
Giving opinion/Asking for opinion/ Agreeing/ Disagreeing/Recognizing opinion

11. Decide whether you agree or disagree with the following statements:
1. Universities should prepare students for work
2. Research in areas such as literature is not valuable
3. Everyone should go to university
4. Lectures are old school. Universities should adopt more modern forms of
teaching and learning such as using social media
To prepare for a group discussion, make notes about your view; arguments
for and against it and examples and reasons
Opinions
Over to you