KOÇ UNIVERSITY ELC SPRING 2024

UPPER-INTERMEDIATE
SPEAKING DISCUSSION SKILLS (2)
EXPRESSING OPINIONS, EXPRESSING AGREEMENT and DISAGREEMENT

CHARITIES
Warm-up:
1. What is a charity, and how would you define it to someone who is unfamiliar with the concept?
2. What are some of the reasons people work for or donate to charities?
Part A: Pair-work: - Match the names and the description of the charity organizations below.
- When you finish, choose one of these charities you would like to support with a donation and give your
reasons.
___2____It’s a direct donation organization providing support from
donors to the world’s poorest families. It conducts research and
prepares reports about how families spend their donations.

__5_____It advocates for social justice and the rights of the poor
through supporting local and national policy changes. It also focuses on
empowering women and promoting gender equality.

__4_____They administer health care to those most in need,

disseminate information about medical emergencies, and help
communities establish long-term facilities and resources for medical
treatment.

__1_____It creates life-changing wishes for children with critical

illnesses. It seeks to bring every eligible child’s wish to life.

___3____It provides care and services to more than 100,000 animals

every year. It opposes cruel practices like puppy mills, animal fighting,
factory farming, seal slaughter, horse cruelty, *captive hunts and the
wildlife trade.
*Captive hunt refers to hunting facilities that offer their customers the
opportunity to kill exotic and native animals trapped within enclosures.

Model Discussion: Read the model discussion Support for Communities on p.20 in Skillful 4 L&S and underline the
expressions that are used for:

Starting a conversation Let’s start

Expressing Opinions So
Asking for Opinions I think
Could you say something
Because
What is your view
Expressing Agreement
That’s a good point
Absolutely
Definitely
Exactly

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Expressing Disagreement
I don’t agree with you
I disagree
I am afraid I disagree

Maintaining Conversation What is the next point

What expressions do you use when you disagree with someone? Write them in the table above.

Part B: Group-work: In your groups answer these questions and express your opinions. Please use the ideas from the
box below.

1. What are some of the benefits of donating to charities?

2. What kind of charities you’d like to work for and why? Explain.

addressing climate change

preservation of plant and endangered species
providing education services for kids
helping people suffering from a specific disease or medical condition
providing aid to refugees
job training to individuals and families in need
providing scholarships and tutoring to students
supporting communities affected by natural disasters
helping people struggling with mental health issues
preventing animal cruelty

Part C: Group-Work: You will have a formal discussion. In this discussion the issue is “People should give money to a
charity that looks after people, not animals.”

Take notes to generate ideas and organize your arguments.

Group A: for team (charities for people) Group B: against team (charities for animals)

Notes: Notes:
For education = orphan kids
Woman rights
Inflation rates raise

Start discussing by taking turns and using some of the expressions listed in Table 1 below.

Table 1

Giving an opinion ● In my opinion...

● As far as I'm concerned...
● If you ask me...

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Asking for an opinion ● What’s your view?

● What do you think?
● What is your opinion on this topic?

Expressing agreement ● I couldn't agree with you more.

● You're absolutely right.
● You have a good point there.

Expressing disagreement ● I don't think so.

● I'm afraid I disagree.
● (strong) I totally disagree.
● No, I'm not so sure about that.

Part D: Group-Work: Imagine you are choosing a charity organization you would like to support and propose a
creative way to raise funds or increase awareness for this charity. Describe what you would do and how your idea
would benefit the chosen charity. You will present your creative idea to the whole class.

Take notes in the box.

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