E7 E - Take part in a short informal discussion

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E7 E - Take part in a short informal discussion

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E7 E - Take part in a short informal discussion

Mini-Beschreibung: Beteilige dich aktiv an einer kurzen informellen Diskussion, greife Beiträge anderer auf und kommentiere sie.

Level: Klasse 7 · Englisch als erste Fremdsprache · E-Niveau · Baden-Württemberg

Time: ca. 45–60 minutes

Start with the picture. What makes a good discussion? Think of three ideas in English. Then compare with a partner.

Einleitung

In this aiMOOC, you practise a short informal discussion with two or three classmates. You listen, react, give a reason, ask a follow-up question and keep the conversation going. The main goal is not perfect English. The goal is clear, respectful communication.

English first: Try in English first. Use the media and context. Then use a hint. German help comes only if you still need it.

I can ...

1. I can listen actively and show interest.
2. I can react to another person's idea before I add my own idea.
3. I can agree or disagree politely and give a simple reason.
4. I can ask a follow-up question to keep the discussion going.
5. I can speak for about 30–45 seconds in a short group discussion without reading a full script.

What you already know

You already know useful language for opinions, questions and reasons. Activate it:

Quick try: Say one sentence for each starter: I think ... · Do you mean ...? · I agree because ... · What about ...?

If you get stuck, use this mini-help: opinion = Meinung · reason = Grund · to agree = zustimmen · to disagree = widersprechen · to add = ergänzen.

Notice → understand

Media warm-up: show interest

Video laden

YouTube

YouTube sammelt möglicherweise persönliche Daten. Datenschutzrichtlinie

Fortfahren Ausblenden

Watch once without stopping. What does the listener do to show interest?

Watch again. Listen for short reactions and follow-up questions. You do not need every word.

Try: After the video, say three short listener reactions from memory or create your own.

Key idea: Active listening means more than staying quiet. You show that you are following the other person. In a short discussion, useful signals are: Right. · Really? · I see. · That makes sense. · What do you mean?

Reading: a short informal discussion

Topic: Should our class have one homework-free evening each week?

Mia: I think a homework-free evening would be a good idea because everyone needs a break.

Noah: I see your point, but we might have more homework on the other days.

Mia: That's true. Maybe teachers could plan it together.

Sam: I like that idea. What day would work best?

Noah: For me, Friday would be best because many students have clubs during the week.

Sam: Really? I would choose Wednesday. By Friday, most of the week is already over.

Notice: The speakers do not only give opinions. They pick up another person's idea: I see your point ... · That's true. · I like that idea.

Check: Who reacts to another speaker before giving a new point? Find two examples.

Vocabulary in context

1. I see your point. = I understand your idea.
2. That makes sense. = Your idea sounds logical.
3. I'm not so sure about that. = polite disagreement.
4. What do you mean? = ask for clarification.
5. Can I add something? = enter the discussion.
6. What about ...? = introduce another idea.
7. because ... = give a reason.

Mini-challenge: Choose four phrases. Use each one in a new sentence about school, free time or media.

Pronunciation and natural speech

You do not need to sound like a native speaker. Clarity matters more than accent. In natural conversation, short reactions are often unstressed and quick, while the key idea gets the stress.

Try these chunks aloud:

1. I SEE your point, but ...
2. That's TRUE, but ...
3. What do you MEAN?
4. Can I ADD something?

Tip: Do not rush the reason after because. A short pause is okay.

Try

Listening/Viewing: polite disagreement

Video laden

YouTube

YouTube sammelt möglicherweise persönliche Daten. Datenschutzrichtlinie

Fortfahren Ausblenden

First viewing: Is the disagreement friendly, neutral or aggressive?

Second viewing: Listen for one polite way to disagree.

Use it: Change a direct sentence like You're wrong. into a more discussion-friendly sentence.

Functional grammar: language that helps you discuss

For this course, grammar serves communication.

1. Opinion + reason: I think ... because ...
2. Agree + add: I agree, and I also think ...
3. Disagree + reason: I'm not so sure about that because ...
4. Question: Why do you think that?
5. Suggestion: We could ...

You do not need passive or reported speech here.

E-look ahead – controlled only: You may notice a past perfect sentence such as I had already tried that before we changed the plan. You do not need to use this tense freely in the discussion.

Speak 1: 60-second pair exchange

Choose one topic:

1. School break: Should the long break be five minutes longer?
2. Phones: Should phones stay in bags during lessons?
3. Class trip: City trip or outdoor day?

Rule: Each person must react to the other person at least once before adding a new idea.

Helpful if needed: I see your point, but ... · I agree because ... · What do you mean?

Direct feedback

After the 60-second talk, your partner gives only two pieces of feedback:

1. One thing that worked: You reacted to my idea when you said ...
2. One next step: Next time, ask one more follow-up question.

Then repeat the same topic for 30 seconds and improve one thing immediately.

Use → communicate

Speak 2: short informal group discussion

Group size: 3 people · Time: 3 minutes

Topic: Your class gets €150 for one shared activity. What should you choose?

Possible ideas: a sports afternoon, a creative workshop, a class breakfast, a small day trip, new games for break time.

Your mission: During the discussion, each person should:

1. give one opinion with a reason,
2. pick up another person's point,
3. ask one follow-up question,
4. agree or disagree politely at least once.

Less support – E-level: Do not write a full script. You may note only 4 key words before you speak.

Perspective switch

Repeat for 90 seconds, but change your perspective. For example, argue from the view of:

1. a student who loves sport,
2. a student who prefers quiet activities,
3. a student who wants everyone to be included.

You do not need to agree with the role. The aim is to practise simple argumentation and flexible speaking.

Mediation mini-task

A German-speaking classmate says: Ich finde den Ausflug gut, aber er darf nicht zu teuer sein und alle sollten mitmachen können.

Explain the idea in simple English to your group. Do not translate word for word. Keep the meaning.

Possible start: They think the trip is a good idea, but ...

Writing: prepare, don't script

Write a 5-line discussion note:

1. your opinion,
2. one reason,
3. one phrase to react,
4. one follow-up question,
5. one alternative idea.

Then turn the paper over and speak from memory. Your note supports you; it does not replace the conversation.

Safe media and AI use

If you record your practice, recording is voluntary and private. Keep it on your device or in the agreed school system. Do not upload classmates' voices or images without permission.

If you use AI feedback, do not send private data. Check whether the feedback fits your language level and your real intention. AI suggestions may help you improve, but they should not replace your own text or your own speaking.

Feedback → improve → use again

Mini-transfer

New topic, less preparation: Should students get to choose one lesson topic each month?

Talk for 2 minutes in a group. This time, use no prepared sentences. You may keep only three words as notes.

Afterwards, answer:

1. Did I react to someone else's idea?
2. Did I give at least one reason?
3. Did I ask a real follow-up question?
4. Did I help the discussion continue?

Self-/Can-do check

Can-do	Not yet	Sometimes	Yes
I can show that I am listening.	☐	☐	☐
I can pick up another person's idea.	☐	☐	☐
I can disagree politely.	☐	☐	☐
I can give a short reason.	☐	☐	☐
I can keep a short discussion going.	☐	☐	☐

Next course: Take part in a longer discussion

Interaktive Aufgaben

Quiz: Teste Dein Wissen

What is a good way to pick up another person's idea? (I see your point, but ...) (!My answer is better.) (!Stop talking.) (!That has nothing to do with me.)

Which phrase asks for clarification? (What do you mean?) (!I don't care.) (!That's impossible.) (!End of discussion.)

Which sentence gives an opinion and a reason? (I think Friday is better because we have more time.) (!Friday.) (!Maybe.) (!What?)

What should you do before adding a new point in a good discussion? (React to what someone else said.) (!Ignore the last speaker.) (!Change the topic immediately.) (!Read a full script.)

Which phrase is a polite disagreement? (I'm not so sure about that.) (!You're wrong.) (!No chance.) (!That's stupid.)

What is the main goal of this course? (Clear and respectful communication.) (!A perfect native accent.) (!Very long speeches.) (!Using difficult grammar.)

Which question helps a discussion continue? (Why do you think that?) (!Are we finished?) (!Can I leave?) (!Is this a test?)

What is useful preparation for an E-level discussion? (A few key words and ideas.) (!A complete script to read aloud.) (!A German translation of every sentence.) (!No thinking at all.)

What should you do with AI feedback? (Check whether it fits your level and meaning.) (!Copy everything automatically.) (!Upload private class data.) (!Let AI replace your own speaking.)

If you record speaking practice, what is the safe choice? (Keep it voluntary and private.) (!Upload it publicly without asking.) (!Share classmates' voices automatically.) (!Post it on social media.)

Memory

I see your point.	React to an idea
What do you mean?	Ask for clarification
I agree because ...	Agree and give a reason
I'm not so sure about that.	Disagree politely
Can I add something?	Enter the discussion
What about ...?	Add an alternative

Drag and Drop

Ordne die richtigen Begriffe zu.	Thema
Show interest	I see.
Ask for clarification	What do you mean?
Agree politely	I agree because ...
Disagree politely	I'm not so sure about that.
Add an idea	What about ...?

Kreuzworträtsel

opinion	What do you call a personal view on a topic?
reason	What supports an opinion and answers why?
listen	What should you do before reacting to another speaker?
agree	What verb means to have the same opinion?
clarify	What can you ask someone to do when their idea is not clear?
respect	What helps a discussion stay friendly even when people disagree?

Lückentext

Vervollständige den Text.

A good informal discussion starts with active . You can show interest with a short . When you give an opinion, add a . If you do not understand, ask for . A polite disagreement keeps the conversation . At E-level, short key-word notes are better than a full . After feedback, repeat the task and one thing.

Offene Aufgaben

Leicht

1. Listener reactions: Collect five short English reactions that show interest and use each in a mini-dialogue.
2. Follow-up questions: Write six useful follow-up questions for topics such as school, hobbies and media.
3. Polite disagreement: Rewrite five direct disagreements so that they sound respectful.
4. Discussion cards: Create three simple topic cards with one question and two possible viewpoints.

Standard

1. Two-minute discussion: Discuss a school topic with a partner and use at least three different reaction phrases.
2. Perspective switch: Discuss the same topic twice from two different viewpoints.
3. Listening observer: Watch a short discussion and note where speakers react, ask, agree or disagree.
4. Private speaking reflection: Make a voluntary private audio recording, listen once and note one strength and one next step.

Schwer

1. Three-person discussion: Lead a three-minute discussion without a script and make sure everyone gets a turn.
2. Mediation challenge: Explain a short German opinion in simple English and then respond to it in the discussion.
3. Discussion redesign: Take a weak sample discussion with interruptions and topic jumps and rewrite it so the interaction works better.
4. Mini-project: Create a 60-second fictional discussion video or comic with invented profiles and no private social-media data.

Lernkontrolle

1. Discussion transfer: You receive a new topic with 60 seconds of preparation. Take part in a three-minute discussion and react to at least two other speakers.
2. Reasoning: Explain why active listening can improve the quality of a group decision. Use an example from a discussion.
3. Language choice: Compare You're wrong with I see your point, but .... Explain how the second version changes the interaction.
4. Perspective change: Give one argument from your own view and one from a different fictional perspective. Explain how the perspective changes the argument.
5. Repair strategy: Describe what you can do if you do not understand a speaker or if two people start speaking at the same time.
6. Feedback cycle: After a first discussion round, choose one feedback point, repeat part of the task and explain what improved.

Lernnachweis

Für einen Lernnachweis ist wichtig, dass Du in einer kurzen informellen Diskussion verständlich und eigenständig handelst. Du solltest zeigen können, dass Du Beiträge anderer aufgreifst, angemessen reagierst, eine eigene Meinung mit einem einfachen Grund formulierst, nachfragst, höflich zustimmst oder widersprichst und das Gespräch mitträgst. Bewertet wird die kommunikative Wirkung stärker als Akzentfreiheit oder sprachliche Perfektion. Ein möglicher Lernnachweis ist eine 3–4-minütige Gruppendiskussion mit kurzer Selbstreflexion. Aufnahmen sind freiwillig und bleiben im vereinbarten schulischen Rahmen.

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