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E9 M - Discuss a current issue neutrally and respectfully

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E9 M - Discuss a current issue neutrally and respectfully

Mini-description: Discuss an age-appropriate controversial issue with several evidence-based perspectives. Listen carefully, react respectfully and explain your own view with reasons.

Class: 9 · Level: M · English: first foreign language · Target: B1-oriented

Current issue in this course: Should smartphones be restricted during the school day?

Einleitung

You will work in English first. You do not need to understand every word. Use context, key words and evidence.

Learning route: English first → understand → respond → ask → hint → improve → use again.

The goal is not to find one “correct” opinion. Your goal is to understand different views, check evidence and discuss the issue respectfully.

Deutsch-Hilfe

Du sollst nicht jedes Wort übersetzen. Achte zuerst auf Hauptaussage, Gründe, Beispiele und Quellen. Formuliere danach auf Englisch weiter.

I can ...

I can ...	Check
understand the main points of a short news video about school phone rules	□
identify facts, opinions and evidence	□
agree, partly agree or disagree politely	□
ask follow-up questions	□
explain my own position with reasons and examples	□
write a coherent short opinion text	□

Activate your knowledge

Look at the image. Think for 30 seconds.

First reaction: Say one possible benefit and one possible problem of smartphones at school.
Key question: What is the difference between a total ban and a restriction?
Evidence check: Which information would you need before making a strong claim?

Useful starters: One possible benefit is ... · A problem could be ... · I would need evidence about ...

Listening and Viewing

Watch the BBC Newsround video above once without stopping.

First viewing: What is the main issue?

Watch again.

Listen for ...	Your note
What rule is discussed?	...
Who can decide details?	...
What possible ways of limiting phone use are mentioned?	...

Respond: Give a 30-second summary in your own words.

Ask: Ask a partner one follow-up question, for example: What would this rule change for students?

Hint: Listen for stressed content words, not every word.

Language for respectful disagreement

BBC Learning English shows ways to disagree without attacking the other person.

Try these chunks:

Function	Useful English
agree	I agree because ...
partly agree	I see your point, but ...
disagree politely	I am not sure I agree because ...
ask for evidence	What evidence supports that?
clarify	Do you mean that ...?
build on an idea	I would add that ...

Use again: Choose two phrases and use them in the speaking task later.

Reading: Three evidence-based perspectives

Question: Should smartphones be restricted during the school day?

Perspective A – stronger restrictions: Digital devices can distract students. In PISA 2022, about 30% of students across OECD countries said they were distracted by digital devices in most or every mathematics lesson. OECD analysis also reports that school phone bans can reduce distraction, although enforcement matters.^[1]^[2]

Perspective B – controlled educational use: Phones can also support learning when teachers use them for a clear purpose. OECD data distinguish between learning use and leisure use, and the results suggest that purpose and classroom management matter.^[3]

Perspective C – mixed evidence: A large 2026 U.S. study of strict lockable-phone-pouch policies found a strong reduction in school-day phone use, but average effects on test scores were close to zero. Student well-being fell in the first year and later recovered, while disciplinary effects faded over time.^[4]

UNESCO reported in March 2026 that 114 education systems had national school-phone bans. The report also stresses that restrictions do not replace digital literacy and critical thinking.^[5]

Reading strategy: Mark each sentence as fact, interpretation or opinion.

Deutsch-Hilfe

restriction = Einschränkung · evidence = Beleg/Evidenz · enforcement = Durchsetzung · well-being = Wohlbefinden · mixed evidence = gemischte Befundlage

Source check

Use this quick test:

Question	Check
Who published it?	source
When was it published?	date
What population was studied?	group
Is it a fact, result or opinion?	type
Does another reliable source support or challenge it?	comparison

Do not treat one study as proof for every school. Context matters.

Context vocabulary

Word / phrase	Meaning in this topic	Example
restriction	a rule that limits use	A restriction is not always a total ban.
distraction	something that takes attention away	Notifications can be a distraction.
evidence	information used to support a claim	The speaker gives evidence from a study.
viewpoint	a way of seeing an issue	We compared three viewpoints.
compromise	a solution between different positions	A compromise could allow phones only for learning.
reliable	trustworthy	Check whether the source is reliable.
claim	a statement that may need evidence	The claim needs a source.
consequence	a result of an action	One consequence could be less distraction.

Pronunciation and Fluency

Aim for clear speech, not accent-free speech.

Say these thought groups with short pauses:

I see your point / but the evidence is mixed.

In my view / the rule should be clear / because ...

What evidence / supports that claim?

Fluency tip: Stress the key words: view, evidence, mixed, reason, example.

Record yourself only if you want to. Keep recordings private unless you have clearly chosen another safe setting. Do not upload classmates or other people without permission.

Speaking: Mini discussion

Work in groups of three. The profiles below are fictional.

Role	Starting point
Alex	wants stronger restrictions because lessons should have fewer distractions
Jamie	wants controlled phone use because phones can support learning and accessibility
Robin	wants a compromise with phone-free phases and teacher-approved learning use

Round 1 – understand: Each person speaks for 30 seconds.

Round 2 – respond: React to one idea before giving your own.

Round 3 – ask: Ask one genuine follow-up question.

Round 4 – evidence: Add one source-based fact from the reading.

Round 5 – improve: Replace one weak sentence such as That is wrong with a respectful phrase.

Round 6 – use again: Switch roles and discuss for two more minutes.

Functional grammar for discussion

Use grammar to make your ideas precise.

Function	Structure	Example
give a cautious opinion	may / might / could	A ban might reduce distraction.
give advice	should / should not	Schools should explain the rule clearly.
compare	whereas / while	A ban removes access, whereas a restriction limits it.
give a condition	if + present, will / can	If phones are allowed for learning, teachers can set clear times.
connect reasons	because / therefore / however	Phones can help learning. However, they can also distract.

Accuracy focus: Do not write I am agree. Write I agree.

Help levels

Help 1 – sentence starters: I think ... because ... · I see your point, but ... · One source says ... · Could you explain ...?

Help 2 – planning frame: claim → reason → evidence/example → response to another view.

Help 3 – challenge: React spontaneously without reading a full script.

Deutsch-Hilfe

Wenn du festhängst: Formuliere zuerst nur Position + Grund. Ergänze danach einen Beleg oder ein Beispiel und reagiere auf die andere Person.

Writing

Write 120–160 words for a class blog:

Should smartphones be restricted during the school day?

Include:

a clear position
at least two reasons
one piece of evidence from a named source
one fair reference to another viewpoint
a short conclusion

Keep your own draft. If you use AI feedback, compare it with your original text. Check facts, sources and suggestions yourself. Do not replace your own work blindly.

Feedback and improve

Use this peer-feedback grid.

Check	Yes / not yet
The position is clear.	...
Reasons are explained.	...
Evidence is linked to a source.	...
Another viewpoint is treated fairly.	...
Linking words make the text coherent.	...
The tone is respectful.	...

Improve: Change two sentences after feedback, but keep the original version too.

Error analysis

Find and improve the problem.

Draft sentence	Better version
I am agree with a ban.	I agree with a ban.
Phones are bad, everyone knows it.	Phones can cause problems; for example, they may distract students.
This study proves bans always work.	This study suggests a possible effect in its specific context.
You are wrong.	I see your point, but I interpret the evidence differently.

Explain why the improved version is more accurate or respectful.

Mediation

An English-speaking exchange student asks about a school notice. Explain the main information in 4–5 English sentences. Do not translate word for word.

German source text

Schulhinweis: Private Smartphones bleiben während des Unterrichts grundsätzlich in der Tasche. Die Lehrkraft kann sie für eine konkrete Lernaufgabe erlauben. Medizinisch notwendige Nutzung ist nach Absprache möglich. In den Pausen gelten die Regeln der Schule.

Your mediation should answer: What is allowed? What is limited? Are there exceptions?

Transfer

Compare two possible school rules without choosing for the whole class:

Rule A: Phones stay away for the whole school day.

Rule B: Phones stay away during lessons but can be used in defined situations.

Discuss:

Which problems does each rule try to solve?
Which new problems could each rule create?
What evidence would help a school evaluate the rule?

Can-do check

I can ...	not yet	mostly	confidently
understand the main point of a short authentic video	□	□	□
distinguish fact from opinion	□	□	□
disagree politely	□	□	□
ask for clarification or evidence	□	□	□
support my view with reasons and a source	□	□	□
write a coherent B1-level opinion	□	□	□

Next course: Negotiate a fair class agreement.

Interaktive Aufgaben

Quiz: Teste Dein Wissen

What is the main communication goal of this course? (Discuss an issue respectfully and support ideas with reasons) (!Win every discussion) (!Avoid all disagreement) (!Translate every English word into German)

Which phrase shows polite disagreement? (I see your point, but I am not sure I agree.) (!That is nonsense.) (!You are completely wrong.) (!Stop talking.)

What does evidence do in a discussion? (It supports or challenges a claim) (!It makes every opinion automatically true) (!It replaces listening) (!It ends all debate)

What did OECD data show about digital distraction? (About 30 percent reported distraction in most or every mathematics lesson) (!No students reported distraction) (!All students were distracted in every lesson) (!Only teachers used digital devices)

Why is the evidence about phone restrictions described as mixed? (Different studies and outcomes show different effects) (!There are no studies) (!Every study reaches exactly the same result) (!Phones have no educational use)

Which sentence makes a cautious claim? (A restriction might reduce distraction.) (!A restriction always solves every problem.) (!This proves everything.) (!Nobody can disagree.)

What is a compromise? (A solution between different positions) (!A personal attack) (!A total refusal to listen) (!A source without evidence)

What should you do before using a strong factual claim? (Check the source and context) (!Repeat it louder) (!Remove the date) (!Ignore the population studied)

Which structure is useful for a short argument? (Claim reason evidence response) (!Insult repetition volume silence) (!Translation translation translation translation) (!Question without answer or reason)

What is the course goal for pronunciation? (Clear understandable speech) (!Perfect imitation of one accent) (!Speaking as fast as possible) (!Avoiding all pauses)

Memory

evidence	information that supports a claim
viewpoint	a way of seeing an issue
compromise	a solution between positions
distraction	something that takes attention away
reliable	trustworthy
restriction	a rule that limits use

Drag and Drop

Ordne die richtigen Begriffe zu.	Thema
claim	a statement that needs support
reason	explains why you think something
evidence	supports or challenges a claim
counterpoint	shows another perspective
conclusion	brings the argument together

Kreuzworträtsel

Evidence	What supports a factual claim?
Viewpoint	What word means a way of seeing an issue?
Respect	What helps people disagree without attacking each other?
Compromise	What is a solution between different positions?
Source	What should you check before trusting a factual claim?
Distract	What verb means to take attention away?

LearningApps

Lückentext

Offene Aufgaben

Leicht

Opinion line: Place yourself on an imaginary line from “strong restriction” to “few restrictions” and explain your place in two English sentences.
Phrase cards: Create six cards with respectful discussion phrases and one example for each.
Source detective: Choose one factual claim from the reading and identify publisher, date, population and result.
Listening note: Watch one embedded video again and write five key words instead of full sentences.

Standard

Mini debate: Discuss the smartphone question for three minutes and use at least three response phrases.
Balanced paragraph: Write one paragraph that presents two different perspectives fairly before giving your own view.
School survey: Design an anonymous five-question class survey about phone use without collecting names or private social-media data.
Mediation task: Explain the German school notice to a fictional English-speaking student in your own English words.

Schwer

Evidence comparison: Compare one OECD finding with one 2026 research finding and explain why they do not answer exactly the same question.
Policy prototype: Draft two alternative school-phone rules and list possible benefits, risks and exceptions for each without declaring a winner.
Moderated discussion: Lead a five-minute group discussion, invite quieter speakers in and summarise points of agreement and disagreement.
Fact-check project: Find one new source, check its publisher, date, method and limits, and present what it can and cannot support.

Lernkontrolle

Evidence and context: Explain why a result from one country or school system cannot automatically be transferred to every school.
Neutral comparison: Compare a total ban with a limited-use rule using two benefits and two possible problems for each.
Language choice: Rewrite three aggressive disagreement sentences so that they remain clear but become respectful.
Source reasoning: Decide which information you need before trusting a claim about school phone rules and justify your choices.
Transfer discussion: Apply the discussion structure to a different age-appropriate issue such as school uniforms or homework limits.
Reflection: Explain how listening to another viewpoint changed, strengthened or refined your own reasoning.

Lernnachweis

For a successful learning record, show that you can:

understand a short authentic input and identify its main message
separate fact, interpretation and opinion
use respectful B1-level discussion language
ask follow-up and clarification questions
support your own position with reasons and checked evidence
refer fairly to another viewpoint
write a coherent short opinion text
reflect on feedback and improve your own text while keeping the original

No external media, uploads or AI tools are required for the learning record.

OERs zum Thema

Weitere geprüfte Quellen

Medienkompetenz und Sicherheit

Use media actively, but safely.

Privacy: Do not use private social-media data of real people for tasks.
Fictional data: Use fictional names and profiles where examples are needed.
Recordings: Audio or video recordings are voluntary and should stay private unless everyone involved has clearly agreed.
AI check: Check AI-generated facts, sources and feedback before using them.
Own work: Keep your own drafts so that revisions remain visible.
No automatic upload: Do not upload recordings, personal texts or images to external AI services without an explicit safe classroom decision.

Verknüpfte Lernbereiche

Discussing current issues in English

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Sprache

[1] OECD, PISA 2022 Results, Volume II

[2] OECD, Digital devices and distraction

[3] OECD, Learning time and disciplinary climate

[4] Stanford SIEPR, 2026

[5] UNESCO Global Education Monitoring Report, 2026

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