In My Opinion, the World Has Changed
Opinion, agreement, disagreement, and debate. On a Tuesday evening at Café Colibri, the group debates technology, connection, and what it means to be human.
📖 Reading: The Big Questions
It is a Tuesday evening. The café is nearly empty. Leo, Maya, Omar, and Priya are having one of their deeper conversations.
"In my opinion," says Omar, "the world is more connected than ever before. But connection doesn't always mean understanding."
"That's a really important point," says Priya. "I agree to some extent. However, it seems to me that technology has also made some people more isolated."
"I'm not sure I agree entirely," says Leo. "Personally, I think technology brings people together more than it separates them. This café, for example — I use social media to build community here."
"Fair enough," admits Priya. "But what about the people who don't have access? To my mind, technology widens inequality."
"That's a valid point," says Omar. "As I see it, the issue isn't technology itself — it's how it's distributed."
"If you ask me," says Maya, "the real question is whether technology is changing what it means to be human."
There is a long pause.
"I'd say it's changing how we express it," says Leo finally. "Not what it is."
"That's beautifully put," says Maya. "I completely agree."
"I'm not sure I do," says Omar with a smile. "But that's what makes the conversation worth having."
🔑 Vocabulary Box
Eight key words from this lesson.
| Word | Meaning | Note |
|---|---|---|
| isolated | Feeling alone; cut off from others or from society | adj. — Technology can make people more isolated. |
| inequality | Unfair difference in status, wealth, or opportunity | n. — Technology widens inequality. |
| distribute | To spread something among a number of people | v. — The issue is how it's distributed. |
| valid | Based on truth or reason; legally or logically sound | adj. — That's a valid point. |
| diplomatic | Careful and sensitive in dealing with people | adj. — She disagrees in a diplomatic way. |
| assert | To state an opinion or fact confidently | v. — She asserts her view clearly. |
| elaborate | To give more details about something | v. — Could you elaborate on that point? |
| nuance | A subtle difference in meaning, expression, or tone | n. — Good arguments acknowledge nuance. |
📚 Key Verbs & Structures in This Lesson | |
In my opinion / To my mind | In my opinion, the world has changed. |
It seems to me that | It seems to me that technology has made people more isolated. |
As I see it / If you ask me | As I see it, the issue is distribution. |
I agree / I'm not sure I agree | I completely agree. / I'm not sure I agree entirely. |
📚 Grammar Focus
📚 Expressing Opinions | |
Strong | In my opinion, ... / I firmly believe that... / I'm convinced that... |
Moderate | I think... / It seems to me that... / Personally, I feel... |
Tentative | I tend to think... / You could argue that... / It's possible that... |
Agreeing and Partially Agreeing
📚 Agreeing and Partially Agreeing | |
Full agreement | I completely agree. / Absolutely. / That's a great point. |
Partial agreement | I agree to some extent. / That's true, but... / Fair enough, however... |
Conceding | You make a valid point. / That's a fair argument. / I take your point, but... |
Disagreeing Diplomatically
📚 Disagreeing Diplomatically | |
Soft | I'm not sure I agree entirely. / I see it differently. |
Moderate | I'd argue the opposite. / I disagree with that view. |
With reason | I don't think that's quite right because... / With respect, I think... |
Managing the Discussion
📚 Managing the Discussion | |
Interrupting politely | Sorry to interrupt, but... / Can I just add something here? |
Clarifying | Could you elaborate on that? / What exactly do you mean by...? |
Summarising | So what you're saying is... / If I understand you correctly,... |
🎭 Dialogue: Let's Debate
Omar argues for free university education. Priya, Leo, and Maya offer counter-points and concessions — and Leo lands the summary in one elegant sentence.
In my opinion, university education should be free for everyone.
I agree to some extent. But who would pay for it?
The government, funded by taxation. As I see it, education is a public good.
That's a valid point. However, it seems to me that quality might drop.
Could you elaborate on that?
If funding is spread too thin, standards tend to fall.
Fair enough. But with respect, I think the alternative is worse.
So what you're saying is: free and imperfect is better than exclusive and excellent?
Practice Exercises
3 questionsNew exercises to reinforce what you learned. Different from the lesson material.
What distinction does Omar make at the start?
What does Leo say about technology and community?
What does Priya say about inequality and technology?
Practice Exercises
3 questionsNew exercises to reinforce what you learned. Different from the lesson material.
Classify: 'I completely agree with that.'
Classify: 'If you ask me, technology divides us.'
Classify: 'That's a valid point, but I see it differently.'
🎭 Now It's Your Turn — Formal Debate
Practice with a partner. Use the dialogue as a model and extend it into a full debate.
- Choose a controversial topic (one from the personal practice above or your own).
- Student A: Argue FOR the position. Use opinion phrases and support with reasons.
- Student B: Argue AGAINST. Disagree diplomatically and provide counter-arguments.
- Then find ONE thing you both agree on. Conclude together.
- Rules: no insults, no interrupting without "Sorry to interrupt, but…", and always acknowledge a good point before disagreeing.