ELL 3044 – Practical Business English Agreeing/Disagreeing

WARM UP 1. In groups of 4, assign everyone a letter (A, B, C, D). If you have 5 people in your group, more than 1 person can be either A, B, C, or D.   2. If you are A – you always agree with the statement shown on the ppt. 3. If you are B – you always disagree with the statement shown on the ppt. 4. If you are C or D – use your own opinion on the statement shown on the ppt. 5. You will be given 5-10 minutes to discuss each topic. 6. After the time is finished, change roles (everyone gets a new letter) and discuss the new topic. 7. Look at page 2 for phrases on how to agree/disagree/state your opinion.

Issue #1 Most companies should hire more men because women need maternity leave and don’t work as hard as men. Most white collar jobs should be given to men for their leadership ability.

Issue #2 Globalization helps the economy to expand as companies can sell products in other countries and workers are free to move to another country for employment.

Issue #3 Men should get bonus points in an interview (especially for civil service jobs) because men have done army service.

Issue #4 Rich people should pay less in taxes because they are paying more (in total) than poor people and are responsible for creating jobs.

Reflection: In your groups think of some of the ways… you expressed your statements? you agreed? you disagreed? What language did you use?

In Western culture you may be asked to give your opinion on a variety of matters. It’s important to express your opinion in the correct way. It’s important you do it correctly but also politely. By just saying “no” or “you’re wrong” can sound very rude. Instead a higher level English student would use more advanced expressions to show disagreement (and agreement).

SUPPORT (for banning smoking): Examples: from your own experience or what you have read/seen/been told. Examples: “Whenever I go to a bar there’s smoke and I cough a lot plus my throat feels dry.” Common Sense: things that you believe everybody knows. -Common Sense: “Everyone knows inhaling smoke is not good for you.” Expert Opinion (ethos): the opinions of experts – this comes from research or a credible source. Expert Opinion: “The National Boards of Doctors conclude that secondhand smoke causes 3000 deaths per year.” Evidence (logos): numbers, quotes, proof, reasoning –this also comes from research and appeals to logic. Evidence: “One in four people who smoke will develop some sort of lung cancer.” Ethics (pathos): appeal to one’s ethics or moral behavior.  Ethics: “Would you like your son or daughter breathing in smoke?”

Here’s a bad example of stating your opinion: Q - “Do you think gay marriage should be legal in Korea?” A – “No.” Q – “Why not?” A – “This is Korea.” / “그냥.”

Use these topics: Not going to university Let’s Try!  Follow the flow charts and have a conversation with your partner. One student is student A and another student is student B. There are two flow charts here. Try both of them.   Afterwards, switch roles so that Student A is now Student B and Student B is now Student A.  Use these topics: Not going to university

Here is an example of a flow diagram conversation following the green conversation below: A. Having a good day, Larry? B. Not really. My wife and I are worried about the cost to send our son to university. A. In my opinion, there are too many young people who go to university and spend a lot of money but then can’t find a job after they graduate. B. You’re right. A. According to the news you could send your son to a cheaper university if he were to go abroad. B. Perhaps, but my wife and I would miss him so much if he studied in a foreign country.

Use these topics: 1. Marrying young (before 22) Let’s Try!  Follow the flow charts and have a conversation with your partner. One student is student A and another student is student B. There are two flow charts here. Try both of them.   Afterwards, switch roles so that Student A is now Student B and Student B is now Student A.  Use these topics: 1. Marrying young (before 22)

Agree/Disagree Your appearance is important when finding a job. 2. Your TOEIC score is important when finding a job. 3. Age is important when looking for a job. 4. Too many young people have high hopes to work at major conglomerates (major companies like Samsung or LG) and don’t apply to SMEs (small-medium enterprises). 5. Companies have no loyalty to their employees and will let them go so they can make more profit. 6. Men and women should be paid equally for the work they do. 7. Companies should only hire Korean workers. 8. If you can’t find a job in Korea, you should apply to an international company. 9. Make up your own issue.