Expressing Opinions & Organising Talk
Section: Speaking | Syllabus: Cambridge Primary English as a Second Language (0057)
Expressing Opinions, Feelings and Reactions
- Phrases for opinions: "I think...", "In my opinion...", "I believe..."
- Phrases for feelings: "I feel...", "I'm really pleased/worried/excited about..."
- Phrases for reacting to what someone else has said: "That's a good point," "I hadn't thought of that," "I'm not sure I agree, because..."
- Give a reason to support your opinion or feeling, rather than just stating it: "I think we should recycle more, because it helps protect the environment."
Question: Give your opinion on whether schools should have longer breaks, with a reason.
Step 1 - State your opinion clearly using an opinion phrase: "In my opinion, schools should have longer breaks." Step 2 - Add a reason using "because": "...because students concentrate better after more rest." Step 3 - Combine both parts into one fluent spoken response. Answer"In my opinion, schools should have longer breaks, because students concentrate better after more rest."
Linking Sentences with a Range of Connectives
- Use a wider range of connectives to organise your spoken ideas, rather than repeating "and" or "but."
- Useful connectives by purpose:
- Addition: also, in addition, as well as that
- Contrast: however, on the other hand, although
- Reason/result: because, so, as a result
- Organising talk: firstly, secondly, finally, to conclude
- Using varied connectives makes your spoken ideas easier for a listener to follow, and shows clearly how your ideas relate to each other.
Briefly Summarising What Others Say
- Before adding your own point, briefly summarise what the other person said - this shows you were listening and keeps the conversation organised.
- Useful summarising phrases: "So you're saying that...", "So what you mean is...", "If I understand you correctly, ..."
- Keep the summary brief - one short sentence capturing the main idea, not a repeat of everything that was said.
- Longer or more complex talk can be harder to summarise - that is fine; focus on the main idea rather than every detail, and ask for help if you need it.
A strong opinion gives a reason; a good listener briefly summarises before responding
Worked Example: Summarising and RespondingQuestion: Someone says: "I think we should plant more trees around the school because it would make the playground cooler in summer and help wildlife too." How could you respond, summarising their point first?
Step 1 - Identify the main idea: planting more trees would cool the playground and help wildlife. Step 2 - Summarise it briefly: "So you're saying that planting more trees would cool the playground and help wildlife." Step 3 - Add your own reaction with a connective: "I agree, and it would also make the school look nicer." Answer"So you're saying that planting more trees would cool the playground and help wildlife. I agree, and it would also make the school look nicer."
Common Mistakes
MistakeGiving an opinion without any reason to support it.
FixAlways add a reason using "because" or a similar connective, so your opinion is convincing, not just a statement.
MistakeRepeating "and" or "but" as the only connectives when speaking.
FixUse a wider range of connectives (however, as a result, in addition, firstly) to show how your ideas relate to each other.
MistakeIgnoring what the other person said and jumping straight to your own point.
FixBriefly summarise their main idea first ("So you're saying that...") before adding your own opinion.
Interactive revision notes, videos and practice questions load below.