Let Me Explain My Position
Speaking at B2 — long turns, monologues, structured oral responses. On a panel, Leo gives a two-minute answer that defines 'intentionality' — and the moderator calls it an excellent answer.
📖 Reading: The Panel
Café Colibri had been invited to participate in a panel discussion on urban independent business.
The moderator asked Leo: "What do you think is the single most important factor in running a successful independent café?"
Leo paused for a moment. Then he spoke.
"That's a question I've thought about a great deal. Let me try to be precise about what I mean, because I think the obvious answers — quality, service, location — are true, but they're not sufficient."
"What I'd argue is that the most important factor is what I'd call intentionality. Being very clear, from the beginning, about what kind of place you're trying to be — and why."
"Let me give you an example. When I opened Café Colibri, I made a decision that it would never have Wi-Fi-required access — I mean, Wi-Fi as a prerequisite for welcome. Anyone could come. That decision shaped everything that followed."
"Now, I understand that's controversial. And there are strong counterarguments — freelancers need connectivity, and so on. I acknowledge that."
"But my point is that the decision itself — whatever it was — was taken consciously. That's what I mean by intentionality. Not a particular set of choices, but the practice of choosing deliberately."
"I hope that's answered your question. If not, I'm happy to be pushed back on."
There was a short silence.
"That," said the moderator, "is an excellent answer."
🔑 Vocabulary Box
Eight key words from this lesson.
| Word | Meaning | Note |
|---|---|---|
| intentionality | The quality of acting with deliberate purpose and awareness | n. — Intentionality is making choices consciously. |
| moderator | A person who facilitates a discussion or panel | n. — The moderator asked the key question. |
| panel | A group of experts assembled to discuss a topic publicly | n. — Leo was on a panel discussion. |
| prerequisite | Something required as a prior condition | n. — Wi-Fi as a prerequisite for welcome. |
| counterargument | An argument made against another argument | n. — He acknowledged the counterarguments. |
| connectivity | The ability to connect to a network, especially the internet | n. — Freelancers need connectivity. |
| deliberate | Done consciously and intentionally | adj. — Making choices deliberately. |
| sufficient | Enough for a particular purpose; adequate | adj. — True, but not sufficient. |
📚 Key Verbs & Structures in This Lesson | |
Let me try to be precise about... | Signals careful thought before a complex answer. |
What I'd argue is that... | Signals a debatable but considered position. |
Let me give you an example. | Signals a move from abstract to concrete. |
I acknowledge that / I understand that. | Concedes a counter-argument mid-turn. |
📚 Grammar Focus
📚 Structuring a Long Turn | |
Open | That's a question I've thought about. / That's an interesting point to raise. |
Signal your approach | Let me try to be precise. / I want to distinguish two things. |
State your position | What I'd argue is that... / My view is that... / I'd suggest... |
Give an example | Let me give you a specific example. / To illustrate this,... |
Concede | I understand the counterarguments. / Now, I acknowledge that... |
Close | I hope that answers your question. / Let me know if you'd like me to develop that. |
Maintaining Coherence
📚 Maintaining Coherence | |
Signposting within the turn | Firstly / Additionally / Turning to / That brings me to |
Linking back | As I said earlier / To return to my earlier point |
Summarising mid-turn | So in summary — what I'm arguing is that... |
Inviting response | I'm happy to be challenged on that. / Does that make sense? |
🎭 Dialogue: The Panel Continued
The moderator presses Leo on whether 'intentionality' is just 'planning' by another name. Leo distinguishes the two in two sentences — and ends with a definition worth quoting.
Leo, a follow-up: isn't "intentionality" just another word for planning?
That's a fair challenge. Let me distinguish the two.
Please.
Planning is about what you're going to do. Intentionality is about why. You can plan without intention — and many businesses do.
And intention without a plan?
That's art. Which is what I do some days.
Ha! One more question: what advice would you give someone starting out?
Ask yourself the question before you ask anyone else: why does this need to exist? If you can answer that clearly — you're halfway there.
Practice Exercises
3 questionsNew exercises to reinforce what you learned. Different from the lesson material.
What does Leo say about the 'obvious answers' to the moderator's question?
What does Leo mean by 'intentionality'?
What example does Leo give of an intentional decision?
Practice Exercises
3 questionsNew exercises to reinforce what you learned. Different from the lesson material.
Put the elements of Leo's long turn in the correct order. (A) Acknowledge counterarguments / (B) Give a specific example / (C) Open and signal approach / (D) Close and invite response / (E) State the main position / (F) Clarify what 'intentionality' means.
Coherence device: 'Quality matters. Location matters too.'
Coherence device: 'The decision was difficult. It was the right one.'
🎭 Now It's Your Turn — Role Play
Practice with a partner. Use the dialogue as a model and extend it.
- Student A: You are a panel moderator. Ask your partner a complex question about any topic from this course.
- Student B: Give a structured 2-minute long turn response. Include: opening / signal / position / example / concession / close.
- Student A: Ask one follow-up question.
- Student B: Respond confidently and concisely.
- Then swap. After: evaluate each other's long turn for clarity, coherence, and confidence.