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Unit 15 :
I don’t quite agree

Pre-advanced

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Vocabulary

Repeat these sentences with your teacher first.

1. plan (n.)
a set of decisions about how to do something in the future

2. quite (adv.)
completely

3. agree with (phr.)
If a situation or new conditions agree with you, they make you feel healthy and happy

4. discuss (v.)
to talk about a subject with someone and tell each other your ideas or opinions

5. change her mind (phr.)
to form a new opinion or make a new decision about something that is different from your old one

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Dialogue

Read the dialogue aloud with your teacher.

Terry

Nancy

Terry, did you look at the new plan?

Yes, but I’m afraid I don’t quite agree with it.

What don’t you agree with?

I think we should do more homework first.

I don’t really agree with it either. But it was our manager’s idea.

Let’s discuss it with her later. Maybe we can make her change her mind.

Sounds like a plan!

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Article

Read the article with your teacher.

Three smart ways to respectfully disagree with someone

We all have our own thoughts, opinions, and values – which means disagreements can be pretty common, especially in the workplace. Here are some key tips for disagreeing with someone respectfully.

1. Focus on facts

A strong argument is one that uses facts over opinion. Don’t forget to place your emphasis on the reasoning and information supporting your disagreement.

Not only will that make you much more convincing, but it’ll also make it clear that this isn’t personal.

2. Don’t get personal

You shouldn’t put down the other person or attack his or her ideas and beliefs. That’s not at all helpful or productive.

Instead, focus on illustrating why you feel the way you do. Remember, your goal is to effectively present your ideas – not to just poke holes in the other person’s.

3. Recognize the good

Before launching right in with your argument, it’s best if you can preface it with something that you like about that person’s original suggestion – and then use that as a launching point for your own idea.

Source: https://www.inc.com/kat-boogaard/6-key-tips-to-respectfully-disagree-with-someone.html

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Discussion:

Answer the following questions to your teacher.

1.Do you think disagreeing with someone can be beneficial? Why? Why not? 
 
2.Do you think it is necessary for a company to have people with different opinions? Why or why not? 
 
3.Why is it important to learn about different opinions and perspectives?

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Let’s practice

Choose the correct answer.

1. The students are ____ the details of their project.

A. sounding
B. discussing
C. speaking
D. agreeing

2. She had ____ what had happened.

A. changed her mind.
B. no suggestion
C. no idea
D. no mind

3. You have a great point, but I’m ____ I have to ____ with you.

disagree / agree / glad / afraid

4. A : Let’s catch a movie after dinner, what do you say?

B : __________ .

A. Bad news!
B. I have changed my mind.
C. Thanks a lot.
D. Sounds like a plan.