This lesson plan is based on the idea that having students support opinions that are not necessarily

their own during debates can help improve students fluency. In this manner, students pragmatically focus on correct production skills in conversation rather than striving to "win" the argument. For more information on this approach please see the following feature: Teaching Conversational Skills: Tips and Strategies Of course, once students have become confident in their production skills, the can obviously argue the point they truly believe in. Aim: Improve conversational skills when supporting a point of view Activity: ebate concerning the current and future impact of the Internet on daily life

Level: !pper"intermediate to advanced Outline: Review language used when expressing opinions, disagreeing, making comments on other person's point of view, etc. (See work sheet !sk students to consider the following statement: The Internet has forever changed the way we live. Its importance will continue to grow. By the year 2010 most of the world will be conducting its business, receiving its media (T , films, music!, and staying in touch solely via the Internet. "ased on students' responses, divide groups up into two groups. Important" #ake sure that groups are put into the group with the opposite opinion of what the$ seemed to %elieve in the warm&up conversation. 'ive students worksheets including ideas pro and con. (ave students develop arguments using the ideas on the worksheet as a spring%oard for further ideas and discussion. )nce students have prepared their opening arguments, %egin with the de%ate. *ach team has + minutes to present their principal ideas. (ave students prepare notes and make re%uttal to the expressed opinions. ,hile the de%ate is in progress, take notes on common errors made %$ the students. !t the end of de%ate, take time for a short focus on common mistakes. This is important, as students should not %e too involved emotionall$ and therefore will %e -uite capa%le of recogni.ing language pro%lems & as opposed to pro%lems in %eliefs/ Internet #ra$e %hat do you think about the following statement& The Internet has forever changed the way we live. Its importance will continue to grow. By the year 20 0 most of the world will !e conducting its !usiness" receiving its media #T$" films" music%" and staying in touch solely via the Internet. !se the clues and ideas below to help you create an argument for your appointed point of view with your team members. 'elow you will find phrases and language helpful in e(pressing opinions, offering e(planations and disagreeing. Opinions" &references: I think..., In my opinion..., I)d like to..., I)d rather..., I)d prefer..., The way I see it..., *s far as I)m concerned..., If it were up to me..., I suppose..., I suspect that..., I)m pretty sure that..., It is fairly certain that..., I)m convinced that..., I honestly feel that, I strongly believe that..., %ithout a doubt,..., 'isagreeing: I don)t think that..., on)t you think it would be better..., I don)t agree, I)d prefer..., +houldn)t we consider..., 'ut what about..., I)m afraid I don)t agree..., Frankly, I doubt if..., ,et)s face it, The truth of the matter is..., The problem with your point of view is that... (iving )easons and offering e*planations: To start with, The reason why..., That)s why..., For this reason..., That)s the reason why..., -any people think...., #onsidering..., *llowing for the fact that..., %hen you consider that... The Internet +ill ,hange Our Lives In -very Aspect

The use of the 0nternet around the world is dou%ling ever$ few months. The 0nternet has alread$ changed with wa$ we communicate. "usiness have invested %illions in the 0nternet. The 0nternet is %ecoming faster all the time, $ou can alread$ watch video or listen to #p1s via the 0nternet.

#an$ people now live at home and work via the 0nternet.
The 0nternet has created unlimited new %usiness opportunities #ost people use email instead of writing letters to keep in touch with their friends. The 0nternet is still ver$ $oung. The Internet Is .ust A /ew 0orm Of ,ommunication" But +ill /ot ,hange -verything In Our Lives The 0nternet, while interesting, is 2ust a fad. 3eople want to go out and meet other people when the$ do their shopping. 0t is too difficult to use the 0nternet and computers, most people do not have the patience. Reading on a computer screen is uncomforta%le and people will never stop wanting to read, listen to music and %e entertained in traditional wa$s. The 0nternet creates cultural homogeni.ation & some would sa$ !mericani.ation, and eventuall$ people will get tired of this. The onl$ real interaction %etween people must take place face to face on not 'virtuall$'. The 0nternet is mainl$ used %$ teenagers and other people who have lots of time to waste. The 'new' econom$ of the 0nternet produces nothing & people can not %u$ smoke.