This lesson will focus on giving softer opinions using a variety of phrases. The topic we will discuss is politics.
In the previous lesson, we looked at ways to express strong opinions. However, there are many occasions where we may not have a very strong attitude regarding a particular topic. In this lesson, we will consider ways of expressing softer, less direct opinions.
The topic of this lesson is politics. Not everyone's cup of tea and an area that may well yield contentious views.
Some students may be informed on the issues, and you will have to politely try to keep their answers short or keep them focused on the target language.
Other students may not know or care about politics. It's okay to be uninformed, but they should still have opinions about it.
In the Language section, the student should give a short answer to each question. Only focus on the phrase at hand. Don't move too quickly, and make sure the student is confident with each one before moving on.
Is your government doing a good job?
This is a very general G.B.C. question. Most students tend to be fairly ambivalent on it. They may even use a phrase from the list below, and if they do, then give them a cyber high-five.
If your student is strongly in favor of the government, then you can dig for a softer opinion by asking:
Do you think your government is doing a perfect job?
Take note of any specific points that your student talks about, as you can use that information later to customize questions and make the lesson more interesting.
The first five phrases mean effectively the same thing and can be used in the same way to express positive or negative feelings on an issue.
Make sure your intonation matches the meaning of the phrase.
- I tend to think that... — Used for a soft opinion.
- I suppose that... — Used for a soft opinion.
- I would say that... — Used for a soft opinion.
- My feeling would be that... — Used for a soft opinion.
- It seems to me that... — Used for a soft opinion.
- To tell you the truth, I think/don't think... — This is used to introduce a negative opinion or an unusual/controversial opinion.
Spend as long or as short a time as necessary on each phrase, but make sure the student can use it smoothly before moving on.
- For struggling students, elicit the adjectives/sentences from the student before adding the transition phrase.
- For some students, you can skip the practice
- For higher levels, you may be able to skip right to the question.
Also, the intonation should be long on the stress word, e.g., "I tend to think that... /te-en'd/"
1. I tend to think that...
E.g.: When it comes to economic policy, I tend to think that the present government is doing a reasonably good job.
Practice: Try putting the target phrase in this opinion→ The Prime Minister is doing a pretty good/bad job.
Question: What’s your opinion of your country's politicians?
2. I suppose that...
E.g.: I suppose that some of our president’s policies have been quite effective, but I don’t think she’s doing a perfect job by any means.
Practice: Try putting the target phrase in this opinion→ Former U.S. President Obama would be a good example of a strong world leader. He was popular, effective and avoided any scandals.
Question: What makes a strong global leader?
3. I would say that...
E.g.: I would say that Britain’s decision to leave the E.U. probably wasn't a particularly wise one.
Practice: Try putting the target phrase in this opinion→ Korea has been having quite a bit of trouble with their leadership.
Question: What kind of effects have your current government’s policies had?
4. My feeling would be that ...
E.g.: Regarding space exploration, my feeling would be that we need to focus more on the current problems affecting our own planet rather than investing a lot of money investigating other worlds.
Practice: Try putting the target phrase in this opinion→ American politics are pretty messy. Every 2 years they have a major election, so politicians never stop campaigning.
Question: Should there be more female world leaders?
5. It seems to me that...
E.g.: On the subject of international relations, it seems to me that too many political figures are inflexible in their approach.
Practice: Try putting the target phrase in this opinion→ Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is an important figure. He appointed half of his cabinet positions to men, and half to women, the first leader to do so in Canada's history.
Question: Describe an important political figure in today’s world.
6. To tell you the truth... —This seems quite confident. It is especially used for negative opinions (I don't think... The Prime Minister hadn't...).
E.g.: To tell you the truth, I don’t think we have any particularly great global leaders these days.
Practice: Try putting the target phrase in this opinion→ There's never been a U.S. president that everyone liked.
Question: Are you satisfied with your government's policies towards neighbouring countries?
Now that you've had some practice using these phrases, try to answer some more questions. Use as many of the above phrases as you can.