GEEC 1052– EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION IN ENGLISH

TOPIC : SPEAKING SKILLS

CONTENT : MAKING SUGESTIONS

When you’re making suggestions in English, you’re putting forward a plan or an idea for
another person to think about.

A majority of people make suggestions all the time. For example, when they’re deciding
what to do, offering advice, or helping someone. When we’re making suggestions in
English, we have an open dialogue. And this is why learning how to make a suggestion is
an excellent way to improve your English conversational skills.

“What shall we do at the weekend?” You would like to suggest a plan but don’t think you
have the necessary vocabulary to express yourself? Or perhaps you have to reject
someone’s suggestion but don’t know how to do it in a polite way?

Suggestions
The following English phrases and expressions are all used to make suggestions and give
advice to people.

Making suggestions:

 Let’s revise our lessons.

 What about going to the cinema tonight?
 How about playing cards?
 Why don't we do our homework?
 Couldn't we invite your grandmother to our party?
 Shall we have a walk along the river?
 What would you say to a cup of coffee?
 Don't you think it is a good idea to watch TV?
 Does it matter if we use your car?

Things to remember about suggestions:

1.The verb "suggest" can be followed by either:

 should + verb = I suggest (that) we should go to the theater.

 a verb (in the subjunctive form)= I suggest (that) we go to the movies.

2."That" is optional:

 "I suggest that we should visit Paris."

 "I suggest we should visit Paris."

SPEAKING: PRACTISING TURN TAKING 1

 GEEC 1052– EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION IN ENGLISH

Dialogue:
Two friends talking about where to go this evening:

Alice: You know Alan, why don't we go to the cinema to watch Titanic?
Alan: No, let's not. We've seen the film many times before. What about going to the
library? We have to finish our school project!
Alice: That sounds like a good idea. But when we finish let's go to the cafè.
Alan: Yes, I'd love to.

Practice 1

Below are several topics to discuss with a friend or a group of friends. Practice expressing
feelings and thoughts, stating facts and opinions as well as giving suggestions for at least
5 minutes.Use some expressions that you have learnt.

 Television is the leading cause of violence in today’s society.

 Early marriages should be encouraged in Malaysia.
 Studying abroad is more beneficial than studying locally.
 The intergration of technology in education poses problems to the teaching and
learning process.

Practice 2

Reference:

https://www.englishlessonviaskype.com/making-suggestions-in-english/

Beare, Kenneth. "Learn How to Make a Suggestion in English." ThoughtCo, Aug. 26, 2020,
thoughtco.com/how-to-make-a-suggestion-1211130.

SPEAKING: PRACTISING TURN TAKING 2