Expressing Opinion Spoken English II Fujian Normal University

Bob Miller, an American teacher, is talking after class with his Chinese colleague, Jason Liu. Jason: Hey, Bob, do you have a minute? Bob: Sure, Professor Liu. Jason: I’m teaching a lesson tomorrow about American television. How do you feel about the programs nowadays? Bob: Well, as far as I’m concerned, most TV programs are a waste of time, especially the sitcoms and dramas. They’re either too superficial or too violent. Jason: That’s true, but what about the news shows? Bob: I think some of them are good quality, but some are really just entertainment, not serious news. You lived in the U.S. for a year. What do you think? Jason: What you say is true about network news, but wouldn’t you say that public TV has a lot of good educational programs? Bob: Yes, you’re right. I don’t watch TV much, but when I do, I prefer to watch public TV. The history, nature, and music programs are really interesting. I like not having to watch all those stupid commercials, too!

Expressing Opinion AGREEING Exactly. That’s what I think, too. I agree. That’s a good point. Yes, you’re right DISAGREEING What you say is true, but… That’s true, but… You have a point, but... That may be, but... I don’t know about that. I think... Do you think so? I think... Oh, no. I think... “As far as I’m concerned,…” “I think...” “If you ask me...” “In my opinion...” “As I see it...”

FNU PETS Oral English 2012 Practice: Asking and Expressing Opinions What do you think about/is… ? What is your opinion of/about…. ? How do you feel about… ? In pairs (groups of 2 people), ask each other for opinions about: Food to eat in Fuzhou Places to visit in China Treatments for a cold ( 感冒 )

Summer Institute of Language and Culture 2012 Warm Up Discussion : Beijing 2008 Olympics – Opening Ceremony Yang Peiyi 杨沛宜 Lin Miaoke 林妙可 How do you feel about this story? What do you think about this story? What were the general reactions from Chinese? Opinions from other cultures? What insight might this give into East and West cultural values and perspectives?

Way of Life Sense of self, self-regard

Western Spin “Child singer revealed as fake” (UK Guardian) “Few who watched the opening ceremony realized the deception” (CNN World) “The voice is Jacob's voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau.” - Genesis 27:22 (Globe and Mail) Chinese Voices This is in the national interest. It is the image of our national music, national culture” (Chen Qi Gang) “I am honoured to have a role in the opening ceremony” – Yang Pei Yi Miaoke and Peiyi are “good friends” and that Miaoke “doesn’t care who sang the song, as long as she performed.” (Lin Miaoke’s father)

Test That Can Determine the Course of Life in China Gets a Closer Examination (excerpted) Edward Wong, New York Times, June 30, 2012

Nail-biter (1) Heated (5) Rote learning (5) Endemic to… (5) Hobbles (5) Level playing field (5) Meritocracy (8) Odds are against someone (8) Cramming (9) Article Vocabulary and Phrases

(a) Nail-biter(b) Heated (c) Endemic to… 1.We are both very stubborn people, so our argument got very __________ at times. 2.The two basketball teams were evenly matched and the score stayed close for the whole game… it was a real _____________. 3.Malaria is a disease transmitted by mosquito bites. It is _____________ tropical regions.

(a) Nail-biter(b) Heated (c) Endemic to… 1.We are both very stubborn people, so our argument got very heated at times. 2.The two basketball teams were evenly matched and the score stayed close for the whole game… it was a real nail-biter. 3.Malaria is a disease transmitted by mosquito bites. It is endemic to tropical regions.

(a)Level playing field (b) Hobbles (c) Meritocracy 1.To gain a position because of one’s ability, rather than because of whom one knows, is the essence of a ____________ 2.I _____to bed after twisting my leg on the mountain this morning. 3.We have a ____________in this company, so if you work well, you may find yourself climbing positions quickly

(a)Level playing field (b) Hobbles (c) Meritocracy 1.To gain a position because of one’s ability, rather than because of whom one knows, is the essence of a meritocracy. 2.I hobbled to bed after twisting my leg on the mountain this morning. 3.We have a level playing field in this company, so if you work well, you may find yourself climbing positions quickly

Rote learning (5): The Kumon style of learning math really emphasizes rote learning of mathematic basics Odds are against someone (8) “The odds are against him getting married since he’s so picky!” Cramming (9) “He was cramming all night for the licensing examination today.”

The Gao Kao What is the “gaokao”? What kinds of subjects are tested in the gao kao? In China, how are students matched to universities using the gaokao? In China, how much does it cost to go to university if you pass the gaokao? Can you go to university without taking the gao kao? Are there other ways? You all passed the gaokao. How did you feel after you passed?

The Gao Kao: Opinions What do you think about the gaokao? Do you think the gaokao should be eliminated? Why or why not? (throughout all of China) In your opinion, what should a student do to pass the gaokao? Do you think the gaokao is a problem? Why? Do you think students should be allowed to go to any university they want to? Why or why not?

Ping Pong Debate 1.In groups of 4, you will be assigned an affirmative or negative stand on the topic minutes to prepare your argument (2-3) with supporting evidence and explanations. 3.Use your own life experiences and use the expressing opinions tool to help state your point. 4.I will call on opposing teams to state your argument and rebuttal. FNU Language Enhancement

Ping Pong Debate “The Chinese education system should eliminate the gaokao as a way of determining how students get into universities.” FNU Language Enhancement

Homework Bring your favourite traditional food or item to class next week and explain why it’s special to you in 1 minute.