Do you ever get into debates with friends in English?
Can these conversations be healthy or harmful?
The answer to that question depends on whether or not you can debate and still maintain your connection with that person.
The way to maintain the connection is to approach the debate in the right way.
You need to follow the steps that we’ll show you today to make sure it’s done right.
Some of the things we might debate are:
- Health choices
- Lifestyle choices
- Current events in the news
- Politics
On this show in the past we have shown you examples of a debate and how native speakers argue in English.
We’ve also shown you some vocabulary words that you can use to show someone that you’ve heard them.
Let’s bring all of these skills together and build some new skills to state your point if you don’t agree with someone.
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How to maintain the connection when debating something with a friend:
Follow this progression to make sure that you don’t lose the connection.
- Step 1- Acknowledge that their opinion is valid or that they are correct.
- Step 2- State why your opinion is still relevant
- Step 3- Soften
**Listen to the episode for more detail on these three steps.
Phrases to debate with your friend:
1) “Ok but still….”
A: Eating meat has been shown to cause many diseases according to xyz
B: Ok, but still, it’s important to eat meat for protein and it’s also a natural part of being in the food cycle. I do see what you’re saying, though.
2) “Yeah but still….”
A: I don’t think wearing sunscreen is important
B: Of course it is. Sunburns can cause skin cancer.
A: Yeah, but still, I don’t think I should have to wear it every day.
3) “That may be true, but..”
A: Rachel was extremely rude to me yesterday.
B: She’s not so bad.
A: Well everyone has a problem with her attitude but you.
B: That may be true, but she’s going through a hard time right now.
More academic/formal sounding:
4) “I understand that. However…”
(however can
sound more academic) …
5) “You’re right, but I stand by my point..”
Listen to the episode so that you can hear Michelle and Lindsay using these phrases.
Let us know your questions below.
