Functional English · Speaking & Critical Thinking

Agreeing & Disagreeing in English

Topic: smart gadgets, privacy and everyday technology. Practice giving an opinion without sounding too direct.

I see your point, but… I’m not so sure about it. I agree up to a point. That makes sense, but… The main issue is…

Student path: click, listen, choose, and speak. You don’t need to write anything on this page.

1

Warm-up · good idea or too much?

Imagine this: a small indoor security camera can fly around your house when you are not there.

Useful

It can help you check your house.

A bit creepy

It feels like someone is watching you.

It depends

It could be useful, but privacy is a problem.

Useful language
I would probably use it because… I’m not sure I would feel comfortable with it. It depends on how much information it collects.
2

Video · flying indoor security camera

Watch the video once. Focus on the general idea, not every word.

Open video
Listen for: where it flies, what you can use it for, and what happens when you are home.

Question 1

How does the camera learn where the rooms are?

You teach it where to go.

Question 2

What can you use it for?

To check what is happening at home when you are not there.

Question 3

Does it fly around when you are home?

No. When you are home, it stays hidden.
3

Vocabulary radar

Click the cards. These words help you discuss the gadget critically.

gadget
device
indoor
inside
hidden
not visible
enter
come in
a waste of money
not worth it
privacy
personal space
recognize
identify
effective
works well
4

Opinion + reaction match

Read the opinion. Choose the most natural reaction. Then say if you agree with the opinion, the reaction, or neither.

1. “This gadget is probably safe.”

Exactly. I know people who would love to play with it.
I’m not so sure about it. It collects too much information about your house.
I think so, too. I would use it once or twice and forget about it.

2. “It is probably very expensive.”

I don’t think so. My dog would get bored quickly.
That’s just what I was thinking. It needs open doors.
I understand, but a lot of work was done to create it.

3. “It could be a problem if you have pets.”

I don’t think so. My dog would probably get bored with it.
You’re right. But you use it when no one is home.
Exactly. It is great for someone into technology.

4. “The camera could hit someone.”

I think so, too. I would forget about it.
I know what you mean, but maybe it recognizes people.
Exactly. I know people who would love it.

5. “It is only useful if inside doors are open.”

I understand, but it can’t be cheaper.
That’s just what I was thinking. It isn’t effective if a door is closed.
I’m not so sure. It knows your house.

6. “I don’t need a gadget to tell me I left something at home.”

I think so, too. I might use it once or twice and forget about it.
You’re right. It doesn’t have to be quiet.
Exactly. It is a good gift.
5

Functional language board

Click each phrase. The page will sort it into the correct column: agree, disagree, or soft disagreement.

Agree

Use when you share the same opinion.

Disagree

Use when you do not share the same opinion.

Soft disagreement

Use when you disagree politely.

Need help?

Soft disagreement is usually the most useful for conversation because it lets you disagree without sounding rude.

6

Pronunciation arcade

Listen. Repeat. Then use the phrase in a sentence about the flying camera.

I’m not so sure about it.
Eu não tenho tanta certeza.
I know what you mean, but…
Eu entendo o que você quer dizer, mas…
I understand, but…
Eu entendo, mas…
That’s just what I was thinking.
Era exatamente isso que eu estava pensando.
I agree up to a point.
Eu concordo até certo ponto.
The main issue is privacy.
O principal problema é privacidade.
7

Quick agree / disagree drill

Pick a statement. Choose your reaction. Give one reason.

Most gadgets are useless.
Use: I’m not so sure about it because… / I agree up to a point, but…
The smartphone is the best gadget ever invented.
Use: Exactly. / That makes sense, but…
Traditional watches are better than smartwatches.
Use: I see your point, but… / From my perspective…
Many gadgets are expensive and not worth the money.
Use: I think so, too. / I understand, but…
Smart devices collect too much information about us.
Use: The main issue is… / I’m not so sure about it.
Gadgets are the best presents.
Use: It depends on the person. / That’s just what I was thinking.
8

Mini debate · should I buy it?

Give your opinion: should someone buy the flying indoor camera or not?

Arguments for buying it

You can check your house when you are not there.
It can help if someone enters your house.
It is clever and convenient.
It could be useful if you travel a lot.

Arguments against buying it

It is probably expensive.
It collects too much information.
It may not work well with closed doors.
It feels unnecessary or invasive.
Speaking frame

My first reaction is…

I see your point, but…

The main issue is…

So, from my perspective, you should / shouldn’t buy it.

9

Decision task · which gadget is actually useful?

Read the short descriptions. Choose the most useful, the most unnecessary and the most original.

🌅 Light clock

It wakes you up by slowly making your room lighter, like a sunrise.

☕ Smart mug

It keeps your drink hot and tells you when your tea is ready.

🎥 Pocket projector

You can take it anywhere for a presentation or a film.

🚲 Folding electric bike

You can fold it and put it in a car or take it on a bus.

🪞 Fitness mirror

It plays fitness classes and connects you to trainers in real time.

Use these categories

usefulunnecessaryoverpricedoriginalconvenienta waste of money
Challenge questions
  • Which gadget would you actually use?
  • Which one would you buy as a present?
  • Which one is probably overpriced?
  • Which one is the most original?
10

Final speaking challenge

Choose one position and speak for 60–90 seconds.

Position A
Smart gadgets make life easier.
Position B
Smart gadgets make life more stressful.
Position C
It depends on the gadget.

Use at least 4 phrases

From my perspective… I agree up to a point. I see your point, but… The main issue is… That makes sense, but… For example…
Model answer

From my perspective, smart gadgets can make life easier, but I agree only up to a point. A flying camera is useful if you travel a lot, because you can check your house. I see your point that it is convenient, but the main issue is privacy. I wouldn’t like a company to know too much about my home. So, for me, it depends on the gadget.

Hidden answer key

Open answer key

Video: It learns rooms because you teach it where to go. You can use it to check your home when you are away. When you are home, it stays hidden.

Matching: 1 privacy concern; 2 work/cost; 3 pets get bored; 4 recognizes people; 5 closed doors; 6 use once/twice and forget.

Language board: Agree: I think so too, You’re right, Exactly, That’s just what I was thinking. Disagree: I don’t think so, I’m not so sure about it. Soft disagreement: I know what you mean, but…, I understand, but…, I agree up to a point, That makes sense, but…