Engage in discussions on a variety of topical issues and defend arguments

Engaging in Discussions and Defending Arguments

What This Skill Means

Discussing topical issues means talking with others about things that affect your community or the world. Defending an argument means giving reasons to support your ideas when others may disagree. In English, you need to speak clearly, listen to others, and give good reasons for your opinions.

Steps to Discuss and Defend an Argument

Step 1: Choose a Topic Think about issues that are important to you, your school, or your community. Common topics include:

• School rules and schedules
• Environmental protection
• Children's rights
• Health and hygiene
• Sports and entertainment

Step 2: Brainstorm Ideas Write down everything you know or think about the topic. Ask yourself:

• What is the problem?
• Who is affected?
• What can be done?
• Why is it important?

Step 3: Form Your Opinion Decide what you believe about the topic. Your opinion is your point of view or position.

Step 4: Give Reasons Support your opinion with clear reasons. Good reasons include:

• Facts and evidence
• Personal experiences
• Examples from real life
• Common sense

Step 5: Listen and Respond When others speak, listen carefully. Then respond to their ideas politely, even if you disagree.

Key Phrases for Discussion and Defence

Expressing Your Opinion:

• "I think that..."
• "In my opinion..."
• "I believe that..."
• "My view is..."

Giving Reasons:

• "This is because..."
• "The reason is that..."
• "For example..."
• "This proves that..."

Disagreeing Politely:

• "I understand your point, but..."
• "I see what you mean, however..."
• "I disagree because..."

Agreeing:

• "I agree with you because..."
• "That is a good point."
• "You are right about..."

Worked Example

Topic: Should pupils help clean their school environment?

Pupil A: I think pupils should help clean our school every day. This is because a clean environment prevents diseases like cholera and diarrhea. Also, when our school is clean, we feel proud and happy to learn.

Pupil B: I disagree. Pupils come to school to study, not to clean. We already have cleaners for that job.

Pupil A: I understand your point, but cleaning is also a learning activity. When we clean, we learn responsibility. Also, cleaning our own classroom saves money that the school can use for books. For example, our school used the cleaner's salary to buy dictionaries last year.

Pupil B: That makes sense. I agree that we can help clean specific areas while cleaners handle the main work.

This example shows how to:

1. State your opinion clearly
2. Give reasons with examples
3. Listen to the other person
4. Respond politely even when disagreeing
5. Find common ground

Tips for Effective Discussion

• Speak clearly so everyone can hear you
• Look at the person who is speaking
• Do not interrupt while others are talking
• Use simple and direct language
• Stay on the topic
• Be confident — it is okay to have a different opinion

Real-life application

In Tanzania, you will often need this skill in real situations. For example, during a school assembly, the headteacher may ask pupils to discuss whether the school should start a new rule, such as wearing school uniforms every day. You would use these skills to share your opinion, give reasons why you agree or disagree, and listen to what other pupils say before deciding together as a school community.