This document provides guidance on preparing for and participating in seminars. It discusses expressing and responding to opinions, using appropriate language to exchange views, and critically evaluating arguments and evidence. Students are advised to thoroughly read assigned materials beforehand and consider multiple perspectives rather than forming opinions without evidence. Example discussion topics are given for students to prepare by noting their views, supporting arguments, and examples. The goal is to have informed academic discussions where opinions are supported by evidence evaluated from different angles. Homework involves practicing seminar skills and completing online self-study activities.

1. ABERDEEN 2040
Seminars
Week 1 Lesson 2.2
PSE 5

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

12. ABERDEEN 2040
Seminar Skills
Preparing for a seminar
PSE 5

13. Preparing for seminar
1. Your lecturer might give you some reading before the seminar.
Doing this reading will help you think about what you will
discuss and understand the points that your classmates &
lecturers make.
2. Think about your opinions on what you have read? Is there
evidence in the reading that supports that opinion? If not do
you need to reconsider
Remember: academic critical thinking is about evaluating the
evidence and then coming to an opinion.
How can you prepare for a seminar?

14. Preparing for seminar
DO think about all the arguments: For , against and opinions that
balance aspects of both
DO evaluate the evidence . In an academic context opinions are
only accepted if there is evidence to support them
DON’T start with an opinion then try to find evidence because this
will mean that you haven’t evaluated all the arguments & evidence
Critical Thinking & Seminar Skills

15. Preparing for a seminar
In groups, your teacher will give you one of these topics to
prepare
1. Students in higher education should be required to learn a
foreign language
2. Having a university education is necessary for a successful life
3. Subjects related to science, technology, engineering & medicine
are more important than subjects in the humanities such as
history and the arts
Oxford EAP p 10 task 6

16. Preparing for a seminar
In groups, your teacher will give you one of these topics to
prepare
1. Students in higher education should be required to learn a
foreign language
2. Having a university education is necessary for a successful life
3. Subjects related to science, technology, engineering & medicine
are more important than subjects in the humanities such as
history and the arts
Oxford EAP p 10 task 6

17. Homework/Self-Study
Oxford EAP
• Seminar practice- in tomorrow’s class
• Continue with online self study Parts 2 & 3. Task 1C- to be reviewed in
Thursday’s class
Making Connections
• Preview Skills & Strategies 9 Summary Writing (for tomorrow’s class)
• Read Reading 5 and Critical Thinking activity (for Friday)