Lesson 39 · Speaking
Speaking — Cambridge B2 First Part 3 / IELTS Part 3 (collaborative discussion / disagreement)
Your task
In a paired discussion, you must POLITELY DISAGREE with your partner at least 3 times using different phrases (acknowledge + pivot + counter), and ONCE you must steel-man their position before pushing back. Don't say 'no' or 'I disagree' bluntly.
How to do it
Examiners reward 'interactive communication' — and the strongest signal is well-handled disagreement. (1) Always acknowledge first; even a one-second 'I take your point' makes you sound thoughtful. (2) Vary your pivots ('that said', 'even so', 'having said that') to avoid 'but' repetition. (3) Steel-man at least once — explicitly state their strongest version before countering. (4) Use 'I'd push back on…' to be specific about WHAT you disagree with. (5) Close disagreements with a constructive offer ('what about…?') rather than a flat 'no'.
Use these phrases
Talk about
- • When did you last disagree with someone in English? How did it go — and what would you do differently?
- • In your culture, is open disagreement seen as honest or rude? Has that ever clashed with English-speaking norms?
- • Think of an argument you 'won' but felt bad about. What made it feel unfair?
Model answer
A: 'For the school trip, I think the museum is the best option.' B: 'I take your point about it being educational, and I see why the price appeals. That said, I'd push back on the museum specifically — three hours is a long time for fifteen-year-olds in any museum. To steel-man your case, I do think the educational angle is the strongest argument for any of our three options. Even so, the science centre would give them the same educational hit with hands-on activity. There's another way of looking at it — what about the museum in the morning and the park in the afternoon? Best of both?'
Pair / class extension: Role-play 'Politely disagree five times'. Your teacher (or partner) makes 5 statements you must disagree with — each using a different acknowledge + pivot + counter combination. At least once you must steel-man their position. End each disagreement with a constructive alternative, not a flat 'no'. Use 5 lesson phrases.
Giving opinions
Share what you think clearly and naturally.
- On the whole, I think…“On the whole, I think remote work suits me better.”
- In my view, …“In my view, schools should teach financial literacy.”
- If you ask me, …“If you ask me, it's not worth the money.”
- To be honest, …“To be honest, I wasn't a fan of the film.”
- I'd say (that)…“I'd say that's the best one.”
Speak out loud: use three of these phrases in a one-minute answer.
Agreeing & disagreeing
Respond to opinions without sounding aggressive or weak.
- Absolutely / Definitely.“Absolutely — that's exactly what I meant.”
- I see your point, but…“I see your point, but I'd look at it differently.”
- I'm not so sure about that.“I'm not so sure about that — it depends on the price.”
- Yes and no.“Yes and no — partly true, but it's more complicated.”
- I'd have to disagree.“I'd have to disagree there — I had a great experience.”
Speak out loud: use three of these phrases in a one-minute answer.
Asking questions politely
Soften questions for strangers, customer service, formal contexts.
- Could you tell me…?“Could you tell me where platform 4 is?”
- Do you know…?“Do you know what time it closes?”
- Would you mind + -ing?“Would you mind repeating that?”
- I was wondering if…“I was wondering if you had a moment.”
Speak out loud: use three of these phrases in a one-minute answer.
Clarifying & checking
Make sure you've understood — without saying 'What?'.
- Sorry, do you mean…?“Sorry, do you mean Monday next week or this week?”
- Just to check, …“Just to check, that's £40 each, right?”
- So what you're saying is…“So what you're saying is we should leave earlier.”
- Could you say that again?“Could you say that again — I missed the last part.”
Speak out loud: use three of these phrases in a one-minute answer.
Reactions & follow-ups
Keep conversations alive instead of letting them die.
- Oh really? / No way!“A: I quit my job. — B: No way! When?”
- Have you? / Did you? / Are you?“A: I've moved to Lisbon. — B: Have you?! How is it?”
- How come?“How come you decided to do that?”
- What's that like?“What's that like — working remotely full-time?”
- How about you?“I love thrillers. How about you?”
Speak out loud: use three of these phrases in a one-minute answer.
Suggesting & negotiating
Make plans, propose solutions, find middle ground.
- Why don't we…?“Why don't we meet halfway?”
- How about + -ing?“How about going to the Thai place?”
- Shall we…?“Shall we say 7pm then?”
- Would it work if…?“Would it work if we pushed it to Friday?”
- I'm easy / I don't mind.“I'm easy — whatever suits you.”
Speak out loud: use three of these phrases in a one-minute answer.
Storytelling & anecdotes
Hold attention when you tell a story or share news.
- You'll never guess what happened.“You'll never guess what happened on the way here.”
- So basically, …“So basically, we missed the train by 30 seconds.”
- All of a sudden, …“All of a sudden, the lights went out.”
- Long story short, …“Long story short, we ended up driving instead.”
- Anyway, …“Anyway, that's how I met your dad.”
Speak out loud: use three of these phrases in a one-minute answer.
Hedging & diplomacy
Soften strong opinions, disagree politely, sound less abrupt.
- It might be worth + -ing“It might be worth checking the schedule first.”
- I'd probably…“I'd probably go for the smaller one.”
- I'm not entirely sure, but…“I'm not entirely sure, but I think it closes at 6.”
- That's a fair point, although…“That's a fair point, although there's another side to it.”
Speak out loud: use three of these phrases in a one-minute answer.