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Interacting with the others

Click on the highlighted text to see the comments.

Commenting on what a previous speaker has said

Think of the discussion like a tennis match, in which you can 'return' a comment or opinion expressed by another participant.

If you don't know the previous speaker's name, you can simply make eye contact and say 'you' (eg. "I think you made an interesting point when you said that…"). But in a general discussion it's better to be able to use people's names.

Agreeing or disagreeing with a previous speaker

When you enter a discussion, it is good to link up with what has already been said – for example, by agreeing or disagreeing with a previous speaker.

Responding to someone else's comment

  • "I think [NAME] made an interesting point…"
  • "I'd like to add something to what [NAME] said…"
  • "Can I make a comment on what [NAME] said…"
  • "Can I come back to what [NAME] said…"

Agreeing with a previous speaker

  • "[NAME] said that ____________. I tend to agree with that view because…"
 AGREE + REASON
  • "I agree with what [NAME] said about ____________. In my view…"
 AGREE + ELABORATION
  • "I agree. For example, if you consider the situation in my country…"
 AGREE + EXAMPLE

Disagreeing with a previous speaker

  • "[NAME] said that________. I disagree because…"
 DISAGREE + REASON
  • "[NAME] said that __________. However, in my opinion…"
 DISAGREE + ALTERNATIVE
  • "I can't agree with what [NAME] said about__________. In my view…"
 DISAGREE + ALTERNATIVE
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