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Oral expression is assessed throughout 2nde and is crucial for the BAC oral exam.
🔹 Expressing opinions :
• Personally, I think / believe / feel that...
• From my point of view...
• As far as I am concerned...
• It seems to me that...
• I am convinced that...
🔹 Agreeing :
• I (completely) agree with you.
• That's exactly what I think.
• You make a very good point.
• Absolutely. / Precisely.
🔹 Disagreeing (politely) :
• I see your point, but...
• I'm afraid I disagree because...
• That may be true, but on the other hand...
• With respect, I think you're overlooking...
🔹 Adding information :
• Furthermore / Moreover / In addition / What is more...
• Not only that, but...
🔹 Giving examples :
• For instance / For example / To illustrate this...
• A good example of this is...
• Take the case of...
🔹 Concluding :
• To sum up / In conclusion / All things considered...
• On balance, I believe that...
• The evidence suggests that...
🔹 Debating strategies :
• Listen actively before responding
• Support every opinion with a reason or example
• Acknowledge the other side before rebutting
📝 Debate : 'Mobile phones should be banned in schools.'
FOR (banning) :
'Personally, I firmly believe that mobile phones should be prohibited during school hours. For instance, a study showed that students who leave their phones outside the classroom perform significantly better in tests. Moreover, phones are a constant source of distraction — students spend valuable lesson time scrolling through social media instead of listening.'
AGAINST (banning) :
'I see your point, but I'm afraid I disagree. From my point of view, banning phones is an outdated approach. Take the case of coding and research — digital tools enhance learning when used responsibly. What is more, students need to develop digital literacy for the modern world. Rather than banning phones, schools should teach students how to use them wisely.'
📝 Useful filler expressions (to gain thinking time) :
• 'That's a good question...'
• 'Let me think about that for a moment...'
• 'What I mean is...'
• 'In other words...'
What is the difference between disagreeing and being rude in a debate?
Correction
Polite disagreement acknowledges the speaker's point before offering a counter-argument: 'I see your point, but...' / 'That may be true, however...' Being rude means dismissing the other person without engaging their argument. In academic and professional debate, being respectful while disagreeing actually makes your argument stronger.
How do you develop an opinion in a debate using P-E-E?
Correction
P-E-E stands for Point, Evidence, Explanation. Make your Point ('Mobile phones improve learning'), provide Evidence ('A survey of 200 students found that...'), then Explain how the evidence supports your point ('This shows that when used appropriately, technology enhances educational outcomes').
Give three phrases to use when you want to politely interrupt in a discussion.
Correction
'If I may add something...', 'Can I just say...', 'Sorry to interrupt, but...', 'Actually, could I respond to that point?'
What is a 'rebuttal'? How do you structure one?
Correction
A rebuttal is a response that challenges an opposing argument. Structure: acknowledge the point ('While it is true that...'), then challenge it with evidence or logic ('However, studies show that...'), and conclude with your own position ('Therefore, I maintain that...').
Practise: Give a 4-sentence opinion on homework, using these phrases: 'In my view', 'For example', 'However', 'On balance'.
Correction
In my view, homework is an essential part of the learning process. For example, regular revision at home helps students consolidate what they have learnt in class and prepare for exams. However, excessive homework can cause stress and leave no time for physical activity or family life. On balance, I believe schools should set meaningful, manageable homework rather than overwhelming students with repetitive tasks.