Conversation Lesson: Points of View

Points of view is an intermediate to advanced level discussion lesson that asks students to rate their opinions from one to ten (1 - strongly agree/10 - strongly disagree) on a number of controversial issues. The worksheet can be used in a number of ways, and for a number of purposes during any course. Below is a suggestion for integrating this discussion plan into your lesson.

• Aim: Helping students express their opinions and explain their reasoning
• Activity: A classroom survey on a number of controversial subjects.
• Level: Intermediate to advanced

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Teaching Conversational Skills Tips and Strategies

By Kenneth Beare

Outline Points of View Discussion

• Distribute Points of View sheet. Ask students to rate their opinions from one to ten: 1 - strongly agree/10 - strongly disagree.
• Divide students into small groups and ask them to discuss their responses to the statements.
• Listen in on the various groups and take notes on common language mistakes while students are presenting their various points of view.
• At the end of the group discussions, write a number of the most common mistakes on the board and ask other students to correct the mistakes.
• Make sure to suggest standard formulas for stating one's opinion if these formulas do not come up during the correction process (i.e. in my opinion, Do you really think that, As far as I'm concerned, etc.)
• As a class, go through each point asking for someone who (relatively) strongly agrees to explain his or her point of view. Do the same for someone who (relatively) strongly disagrees with the statement.
• As a follow-up activity, ask students to write a short composition on one of the statements.

Points of View Worksheet

Rate your opinion from one to ten on the following statements.

1 = strongly agree/10 = strongly disagree

• Making mistakes in English is OK as long as people understand you.
• My friends should come from the same social background as I do.
• It is impossible to have a happy family life and a successful career.
• War is not an option for solving international disputes.
• Multinational global corporations are to blame for most problems in the world today.
• Women will never be equal to men in the workplace.
• Marriage is outdated. There is no need for state or church approval or recognition of a partnership.
• Gay marriage is wrong.
• The death penalty is acceptable in some cases.
• Celebrities earn too much money.
• Foreigners should not be allowed to vote.
• The government is responsible for making sure that all citizens of a country have at least a minimum living wage job.
• Quality of life will greatly improve in the future.
• Teachers give too much homework.
• Military service should be obligatory.