GCAS Strategies 15 Discussion: Facts

Blue computer screen with facts and data

Add numbers, facts and specifics

Image Credit
Buffik via Pixabay

In this lesson, we'll work on using facts to build your argument. 

Introduction

Answer the question below: 

Do you think that it is important for the government to support small businesses?

This is the final lesson that focuses on Part 1: Interview. It's based on Speaking Test Strategies 14: Using facts and research.

Note your student's answer structure. They should have a clear claim and some interesting evidence.

Warm Up

What's the difference between a professional opinion and an amateur one?

amateur—doing it without being paid because you love to do it.
professional—it's your career, your area of expertise.

  1. Amateur opinion
    • No expertise in the matter.
      • e.g.: "Governments should support small businesses because I like shopping at small businesses, and I think they are good for the economy."
  2. Professional opinion
    • Has facts, context, expertise.
      • e.g.: "Governments should support small businesses because..."
        1. …small businesses are more innovative than big ones.
        2. They also have a smaller carbon footprint than larger companies because goods and services tend to be local.
        3. Furthermore, small businesses help local communities. For every $100 you spend at local businesses, $68 will stay in the community.
Language

A. Simple facts

For each claim, think of a fact you could use.

Example:

CLAIM: My company is growing.
FACT: Last year, my company had 40 staff, and now we have over a hundred.

Claim:

  1. My house is near the train station.
  2. I work for a big company.
  3. I'm very busy.
  4. I receive too many emails.

B. Complex facts

  1. Remember the question you were asked in the Introduction: "Do you think that it is important for the government to support small businesses?" 
    • Gather three interesting facts about it.
  2. What is a topic you personally feel passionate about?
    • Tell your teacher three facts about it.

C. Introducing facts

You may want to prepare the listener for a fact. The following phrases are especially useful to introduce surprising or impressive facts.

  1. Actually...
  2. In fact...
  3. Research has shown...
  4. You might not believe it, but...

Choose one phrase. Use it three times to introduce facts from Language A or B.

    A. Simple facts

    Example: Last year, my company had 40 staff, and now we have over a hundred.

    NOTE: Change the following claims if your student wants them to be literally true.

    • (e.g.: My house is near far from the station).
    1. My house is near the train station.
      • e.g.: My house is about 300 meters from the train station.
    2. I work for a big company.
      • e.g.: My company has over 10,000 staff in 30 different countries.
    3. I'm very busy.
      • e.g.: I have 7 or 8 meetings every day. I usually don't finish work until 11pm. 
    4. I receive too many emails. 
      • e.g.: I get about 100 emails every day, so I spend about 3 hours a day sending replies. 

    B. Complex Facts

    1. Remember the question you were asked in the Introduction: "Do you think that it is important for the government to support small businesses?"
      1. Gather three interesting facts about it.
        • e.g.:
          • Small businesses in Japan (companies with fewer than 300 employees) account for about 99.7% of all enterprises.
          • Small businesses provide about 70% of all employment in Japan and contribute approximately 50% of Japan's GDP.
          • Small businesses encourage innovation. They account for around 60% of all patents filed in Japan.
        • Generally, the GCAS will only focus on business-related topics (management, HR, logistics, marketing, etc.).
    2. What is a topic you personally feel passionate about?
      • Ask your student to pick a topic and tell you three facts about it.

    NOTE

    ChatGPT is an excellent source for facts. It can be good practice (and fun) to help the student use effective prompts to get the information they want. Some always important prompts are:

    • Please simplify.
    • Do you have numbers or percentages for these facts?

    You can let the student do their original research in Japanese, then translate the relevant facts into English.

    If ChatGPT can't help, just Google it!

    C. Introducing facts 

    Choose one phrase. Use it three times to introduce facts from Language A or B. 

    1. Actually...
      • e.g.: Actually, my house is about 300 meters from the train station.
    2. In fact...
      • e.g.: In fact, my company has over 10,000 staff in 30 different countries.
    3. Research has shown...
      • e.g.: Research has shown that small businesses provide about 70% of all employment in Japan and contribute approximately 50% of Japan's GDP.
    4. You might not believe it, but...
      • e.g.: You might not believe it, but small businesses account for about 99.7% of all enterprises in Japan
    Practice

    Practice using facts to answer the following questions. 

    1. What are ways in which companies can ensure customer retention?
    2. What are the best methods to advertise to young adults?
    3. How have working conditions changed over the last ten years?
    4. Do you think there are any unfair labor practices in workplaces in your country?