Developing Speaking Skills - Part 3

• Direct question (Wh- , yes/no questions), e.g. How does vaccine work?​

• Can / Could you / anyone tell me... , e.g. Could you tell me how it works?

• ​Do you know... (unsure if the addressee knows the answer)

• ​Do you have any idea... (possibly that the addressee doesn't have the answer)

• ​Do you happen to know...

• ​I wonder if you could tell me / explain / provide information on... (indirect)

• ​Would you mind telling me / going over...

• ​Pardon me / Excuse me / Sorry (if you are interrupting the addressee)

​If you have the information:

• Directly state your answer

• ​Absolutely.

• Sure.

• ​No problem.

• ​Let me see.

• ​I'd be happy to answer that.

• ​I should be able to answer your question.

• ​It'd be a pleasure to help you.

​If you do not have the information:

• ​Sorry, I can't help you out.

• ​Sorry, but I don't know that.

• ​That's beyond me. Sorry.

• ​I'm afraid I don't have the answer to that question.

• ​I'd like to help you. Unfortunately, I don't have that information. / Unfortunately, I don't know.

• ​What do you think?

• ​What about you? (Ask the question)

• ​Do you agree with...

• ​​Wouldn't you say...

• ​What are your thoughts on all of this?

• ​How do you feel about that?

• ​What's your idea?

• ​Do you have anything to say about this?​

• ​Well, that's one way of looking at it. / You have a point there.

• ​I agree with.... / ​​I agree with you 100 percent.

• ​I couldn't agree with you more.

• That's true. / That's so true. / That's for sure.

• ​Exactly. / Absolutely. / No doubt about it.

• ​Yes. I could understand that.

• ​You're absolutely right. / ​That's exactly how I feel.

• ​I'm afraid I agree with... / ​I have to side with him/her on this one.

• ​I was just going to say that.

• ​I suppose so. / I guess so. / Fair enough. I think maybe you are right.

• ​Tell me about it. (slang)

• ​Me neither. (agree with a negative statement)

• ​I'm not sure about that. / I'm not so sure about that.

• ​I'm sorry. I don't agree.

• ​No, I don't think so.

• ​I'm afraid I disagree / don't agree.

• ​I beg to differ.

• ​Not necessarily.

• ​That's not always true. / That's not always the case.

• ​No way. (strong disagreement)

• ​I totally disagree. (strong disagreement)

• ​I'd say the exact opposite. (strong disagreement)

• Let's just move on. Shall we?

• ​Let's drop it.

• ​I think we're going to have to agree to disagree.

• ​After much consideration to the arguments from both sides, why don't...

• ​In my opinion / I (really) think / I (strongly) believe / I (definitely) feel

• ​For me / From my point of view

• ​To be honest / In my honest opinion / Frankly / Quite frankly

• ​It is my honest feeling that

• ​As I see it / The way I see it

• ​As far as I'm concerned

• ​It seems to me that / I'm under the impression that

• ​I'm entirely/quite convinced that

• After much thought / After giving this matter some thought

• ​I've come to the conclusion that

• ​It goes without saying that

• ​It is my firm belief that / It is my strong opinion that

• because

• The reason is

• ​The facts suggest

• ​The evidence shows

• ​The first reason I believe this is

• ​The main reason I feel this way is

• ​There is a lot of evidence to support my point of view. For example,

• ​There are many facts in favour of my opinion. One such fact is

• ​I could be wrong, but this just feels right.

• ​Let's...

• How about...

  ​What about...

• ​Shall we...

• ​Why don't...

• ​I suggest / recommend

• ​May I suggest / recommend that...

• ​could (providing options)

• ​should (suggesting it's the best option)

• Would you consider...

• ​Have you thought about...

• ​Have you considered...

• ​I'd like to throw out an idea / a suggestion.

• ​Hear me out.

• Empathy: Get the addressee to see your points of views

• ​Shock: Surprise your addressee

• ​Twist: Get them to rethink

• ​Emotive: Get them to feel sorry

• ​Guilt: Get them to feel guilty

• ​Flattery: Pay compliments

• ​Rule of 3: List 3 reasons, qualities, etc.

• ​Rhetorical questions (questions that do not expect an answer)

• ​Repetition

• ​Deal

• ​Statistics

Negotiation = back and forth communication​ where some interests are shared and some are opposed

1. ​Comprehend the problem.

2. ​Be an outstanding listener.

3. ​Ask useful questions in skillful manner.

4. ​Prepare point by point.

5. ​Prepare options for mutual gain.

​Discuss with your partner(s) on the challenges faced by students. In your discussion, you are expected to provide some suggestions to overcome the challenges.

​

Make sure that you apply the skills you have learnt to sustain social interaction. Make use of the phrases that you have learnt in this lecture (as appropriate) in your group discussion.

​

​* For groups that have presented in the last tutorial session, watch the recording of your group discussion and see how you can improve on it using the skills you have learnt to sustain social interaction.