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Classroom slides
Show these on a projector or TV. Use the arrow keys, or tap the right side of a slide to go forward and the left side to go back. Press ▶ to play the recording, F for full screen and P to play the slide's audio.
Everyday English · Lesson 29 · Confident · B1
Giving your opinion and talking about news
Share your opinion on everyday topics and react to what others say.
Welcome, !
Warm-up · talk with a partner
What's the best thing about where you live? Why?
Key phrase 1 of 8
In my opinion…
A clear way to start.
Key phrase 2 of 8
I reckon…
Casual Aussie way to say 'I think'.
Key phrase 3 of 8
Did you hear about…?
Start talking about news.
Key phrase 4 of 8
Apparently…
You heard it from someone or the news.
Key phrase 5 of 8
That's a good thing, if you ask me.
Casual opinion.
Key phrase 6 of 8
I'm not sure, to be honest.
When you don't have a strong opinion.
Key phrase 7 of 8
It depends.
When the answer isn't simple.
Key phrase 8 of 8
What do you think?
Ask for the other person's view.
Conversation
Friend and Yuki
Listen to the whole conversation first. Then we go line by line.
Conversation · line 1 of 8
Friend
Did you hear about the new bike lanes in the city?
Conversation · line 2 of 8
Friend: Did you hear about the new bike lanes in the city?
Yuki
Yes! Apparently they're finishing next month.
Conversation · line 3 of 8
Yuki: Yes! Apparently they're finishing next month.
Friend
What do you think about them?
Conversation · line 4 of 8
Friend: What do you think about them?
Yuki
I reckon they're a good idea. More people will ride to work.
Conversation · line 5 of 8
Yuki: I reckon they're a good idea. More people will ride to work.
Friend
Maybe. But it's harder to park now.
Conversation · line 6 of 8
Friend: Maybe. But it's harder to park now.
Yuki
That's true. It depends where you live, I guess.
Conversation · line 7 of 8
Yuki: That's true. It depends where you live, I guess.
Friend
Yeah. I'm not sure, to be honest.
Conversation · line 8 of 8
Friend: Yeah. I'm not sure, to be honest.
Yuki
Let's see how it goes. What do you think about the new library?
Your turn · role-play
Work with a partner
Student A is Friend. Student B is Yuki. Read the conversation together, then swap. Then try it again with your own details.
Your turn · say it 1 of 3
I reckon …
Use your own details where you see “…”. Say it to your partner, then listen to theirs.
Your turn · say it 2 of 3
It depends on …
Use your own details where you see “…”. Say it to your partner, then listen to theirs.
Your turn · say it 3 of 3
What do you think?
Say it to your partner, then listen to theirs.
Quiz · question 1 of 4
What does 'Apparently…' show?
- A You heard it from someone else
- B You're sure
- C You saw it
✓ A: Apparently = I heard/read that…
Quiz · question 2 of 4
What can you say when the answer isn't simple?
- A It depends.
- B No.
- C Never.
✓ A: 'It depends' is useful.
Quiz · question 3 of 4
Which topics are often avoided in small talk with people you don't know well?
- A The weather
- B Religion and politics
- C The weekend
✓ B: Many people avoid them at work or with new people.
Quiz · question 4 of 4
Why ask 'What do you think?'
- A To keep the conversation balanced
- B To end it
- C To be rude
✓ A: Good conversations go both ways.
Culture talk
How does this work in your country? Tell your partner.
Well done, !
Practise at home
The same lesson, free, no sign-up:
englishcoaching.co/
Free lessons at englishcoaching.co
· englishcoaching.co
Teacher notes
Level: Confident · B1 · Time: about 60 minutes · You need: this page on a screen with sound, and one printed worksheet per learner.
Warm-up (5 minutes)
Show the warm-up slide and ask: "What's the best thing about where you live? Why?" Learners talk in pairs for two minutes, then a few share with the class.
Three steps
- Key phrases (15 minutes). Show each phrase, press ▶ and let learners listen once, then repeat together, then one by one. Check meaning with the note on the slide: "When would you say this?"
- The conversation (15 minutes). Play the whole conversation once with worksheets face down. Then go line by line while learners fill the gaps in part B of the worksheet. Check answers, then learners read it in pairs.
- Your turn and the quiz (20 minutes). Learners say the "Your turn" sentences with their own details, do the role-play below, then answer the quiz slides in pairs before you press "Show answer". Finish with part D of the worksheet (their own sentences).
Pair work
Student A is Friend and student B is Yuki. Pairs read the conversation, swap roles, then turn the worksheet over and do it again from memory, changing the details (names, times, places, prices). Stronger pairs add two lines of their own; newer learners can keep the worksheet in front of them.
Using the audio
- Every phrase and conversation line is recorded with natural AI voices: Friend is read by Josh and Yuki by Mel. Press ▶ on a slide or press P.
- Play each phrase twice: once to listen, once for the class to repeat. On the conversation slides, pause after each line so learners can repeat it.
- Test the sound before class. If the internet is slow, open the slides a few minutes early and play the first phrase once.
Culture talk
End by asking learners how this works in their country. It's a natural way to practise the new phrases and to learn from each other.
After class
- Learners can do the full lesson at home, free and with no sign-up: Giving your opinion and talking about news. The last slide has a QR code to it.
- Running a course? Print certificates of participation when your group finishes a level.
Printable worksheet
One A4 worksheet per learner: the key phrases and the conversation with gaps, the quiz, and space for their own sentences. The answer key prints on a separate page.
Name: Date:
Everyday English · Lesson 29: Giving your opinion and talking about news
Share your opinion on everyday topics and react to what others say.
A. Key phrases: fill the gaps
Word bank: depends · hear · honest · opinion · reckon · thing · think
- In my … (A clear way to start)
- I … (Casual Aussie way to say 'I think')
- Did you about…? (Start talking about news)
- Apparently… (You heard it from someone or the news)
- That's a good , if you ask me. (Casual opinion)
- I'm not sure, to be . (When you don't have a strong opinion)
- It . (When the answer isn't simple)
- What do you ? (Ask for the other person's view)
B. Listen to the conversation and fill the gaps
- Friend: Did you hear about the new bike in the city?
- Yuki: Yes! Apparently they're next month.
- Friend: What do you think them?
- Yuki: I reckon they're a good idea. More will ride to work.
- Friend: Maybe. But it's to park now.
- Yuki: That's true. It depends where you live, I .
- Friend: Yeah. I'm not , to be honest.
- Yuki: Let's see how it goes. What do you think about the new ?
C. Quick quiz: circle the best answer
What does 'Apparently…' show?
a) You heard it from someone elseb) You're surec) You saw it
What can you say when the answer isn't simple?
a) It depends.b) No.c) Never.
Which topics are often avoided in small talk with people you don't know well?
a) The weatherb) Religion and politicsc) The weekend
Why ask 'What do you think?'
a) To keep the conversation balancedb) To end itc) To be rude
D. My sentences
Finish these with your own details. Then write two more sentences you can use this week.
- I reckon
- It depends on
- What do you think?
Free lesson with audio: englishcoaching.co/learn-english/everyday-english/giving-your-opinion/ · Free to use with your learners. Please keep the englishcoaching link on printed copies.
Answer key · Lesson 29: Giving your opinion and talking about news
A. Key phrases
- In my opinion…
- I reckon…
- Did you hear about…?
- Apparently…
- That's a good thing, if you ask me.
- I'm not sure, to be honest.
- It depends.
- What do you think?
B. Conversation gaps
- lanes
- finishing
- about
- people
- harder
- guess
- sure
- library
C. Quiz
- a) You heard it from someone else
- a) It depends.
- b) Religion and politics
- a) To keep the conversation balanced
englishcoaching.co/learn-english/everyday-english/giving-your-opinion/
Free to use with your learners. Please keep the englishcoaching link on printed copies.
Frequently asked questions
How do I teach giving your opinion and talking about news to adult English learners?
Start with a warm-up question, present the 8 key phrases with the recorded audio, play the conversation line by line, let learners role-play it with their own details, and finish with the quiz. The teacher notes on this page give timings for a 60-minute class.
What level is this lesson?
Confident level, about CEFR B1. It is lesson 29 of 42 in our free Everyday English course, so you can follow the course week by week or pick the topics your learners need.
Do learners need an account?
No. Learners can do the same lesson at home for free, with no sign-up, at /learn-english/everyday-english/giving-your-opinion/. Their progress is saved only on their own device.
Can I print the worksheet?
Yes. Press 'Print the worksheet' to print it or save it as a PDF on A4 paper. It has the key phrases and the conversation with gaps, the quiz, space for learners' own sentences and an answer key on a separate page.
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