Some useful language for a discussion leader

DISCUSSION

You will take an active part in a round-table discussion. The topic for discussion is renewable energy. You will need to express your views on the following question:

Do you believe that all sources of renewable energy are efficient and ecologically safe?

You will be divided into 2 groups supporting opposing views.

PRO Most renewable energies are powered by the Sun, the Earth and the Moon, so they can last for billion of years. Renewable energy technologies produce virtually none of the emissions associated with urban air pollution.

CONTRA Renewable energy sources may cause a lot of problems to the environment. For example, wind turbines can be hazardous to flying birds, while hydroelectric dams can create barriers for migrating fish. Biomass and biofuels require the large amount of land which could be left as wilderness.

The moderator (discussion leader) will lead the discussion, focusing on the following issues:

• scientific aspects
• public opinion
• advantages and disadvantages of using renewable sources of energy

Try to identify yourself with the views which have been put forward and advocate them during the discussion. Whenever possible, support your arguments with evidence (e.g. research findings, statistics, a case, etc.).

THE LANGUAGE OF DISCUSSION

That’s a very interesting question, because… That’s a difficult question to answer, because… That’s a very good question. The reality is that… First of all... Well, firstly... To begin with... There’re two points here. Firstly, … Secondly, … You also have to consider… In my opinion... In my view... I strongly believe in (+noun or Gerund)… I definitely think that … Well, if you ask me... Without doubt... According to statistics... Actually... In fact... There’s no doubt that...

Surely... I expect that... I doubt that... There now seems to be a general acceptance that I guess that... I suppose that... There’s probably a good argument for… I disagree entirely. I’m afraid I can’t agree. On the contrary... That may be so, but... To come to the point... To come back to the main point... The solution is... The best way to …is to … Alternatively,... The alternative is...

Some useful language for a discussion leader

Getting Started · Is everybody ready to begin? · Okay are we ready to start? · Perhaps we might consider… · There are several issues which arise from…	Bringing People into the Discussion · (Name), what do you think? · I would like to invite (name) to present his views on... · (Name), do you have anything to add?
Encouraging Everyone to Participate · What do you think about (Name)’s point? · Does anyone have anything to add? · Forgive me for interrupting but… · Would anyone like to comment on what is said?	Concluding · Could we conclude the discussion? · Perhaps I might summarize our views… · If I may just go overt the main points so far... · In short....

Дата добавления: 2015-10-29