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E9 M - Follow a short discussion with different positions

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Einleitung

Mini-Beschreibung: Follow a short discussion with different positions. You listen for arguments, agreement and disagreement, then you respond, ask a follow-up question, improve your answer and use the language again.

Level: Klasse 9, M-Niveau, Englisch als erste Fremdsprache, Baden-Württemberg; B1-orientiert. E9-M discussion mode: drei Sprecher, 11 kurze Turns im Kerntext, moderates natürliches Tempo, kurze zusammenhängende Beiträge und zunehmend selbstständige Reaktionen.

Media warm-up: Look at the image for 20 seconds. Say in English: What can make a discussion useful? What can make it difficult?

Watch first, translate later only if needed. The British Council video is a B1 speaking resource about agreeing and disagreeing. First watch without stopping. On the second viewing, note one phrase for agreement and one for disagreement.

I can ...

I can follow the main idea of a short discussion with several speakers.
I can identify a viewpoint and the reason that supports it.
I can notice agreement, partial agreement and disagreement.
I can respond politely, give a reason and ask a follow-up question.
I can summarise different positions in a short coherent message.
I can mediate the key meaning without translating every word.

Your learning route

English first → understand → respond → ask → hint → improve → use again.

English first: Listen or read once for the gist.
Understand: Mark who thinks what and why.
Respond: Agree, partly agree or disagree.
Ask: Add one genuine follow-up question.
Hint: Use a support box only when needed.
Improve: Make your reason clearer or more polite.
Use again: Transfer the phrase to a new topic.

<details> <summary>Deutsch-Hilfe</summary> Arbeite zuerst auf Englisch. Öffne diese Hilfe nur, wenn Du den Gesprächsverlauf nicht verstehst. Achte besonders auf Position, Begründung, Zustimmung, Teilzustimmung und Widerspruch. </details>

Vorwissen

Quick sort: Put these phrases into three groups: I agree. – I see your point, but ... – Could you explain why? – Exactly. – I'm not so sure about that.
One reason: Finish: I think group work is useful because ...
One question: Ask a partner: What makes a good discussion?

Listening and Viewing

Viewing task 1: Gist

Watch the British Council video above once at normal speed.

Who has different views?
What is the main problem?
Do the speakers move closer to agreement?

Rule: Do not write every word. Catch the direction of the discussion.

Viewing task 2: Language

Watch again. This time listen for language that signals a position.

Function	Listen for	Your note
Agreement	a phrase that supports another speaker	...
Partial agreement	agreement followed by a different point	...
Disagreement	a polite phrase that introduces another view	...
Reason	a clause that explains why	...

Viewing task 3: Speak back

Pause after one opinion. Answer aloud in one or two sentences: I see your point, but ... because ... or I agree, especially because ...

Extra media: polite disagreement

The BBC Learning English clip focuses on polite disagreement. Listen for tone and sentence stress, not for a perfect accent.

Reading: A short discussion

Context: Three classmates are planning an English class project. The profiles and project are fictional.

Ava: For our English project, I think we should make a podcast. Everyone can take a role, and we can record short parts.

Ben: I'm not convinced. Some people don't like recording their voice. A poster exhibition would be easier, and we could show visuals.

Leila: I see your point, Ben, but posters can be hard to share outside school. What about using both formats?

Ava: That could work, but doing two products may take too much time.

Ben: True. Maybe each group could choose one format.

Leila: I partly agree. If every group chooses freely, we might not have one clear class project.

Ava: Good point. How about one short class podcast with optional posters for key ideas?

Ben: I can agree with that if recording is voluntary. People who do not want to speak could edit or design.

Leila: Exactly. We should also keep recordings private in class unless everyone agrees to share them.

Ava: Yes. So our plan is a short class podcast, optional poster support and no public upload without permission.

Ben: Sounds fair.

Understand the positions

Speaker	Main position	Argument	Change during the discussion
Ava	podcast	shared roles and short recorded parts	accepts optional posters
Ben	poster exhibition at first	visual support and comfort	accepts a podcast if recording is voluntary
Leila	combine strengths	shareability plus one clear class product	helps shape the compromise

Your turn: Cover the table and rebuild it from the dialogue.

Find the signals

Find one sentence that shows disagreement.
Find one sentence that shows partial agreement.
Find one sentence that introduces a compromise.
Find one condition with if.
Find the final sentence that closes the discussion.

Context vocabulary

Word or phrase	Meaning in English	Use it
viewpoint	what someone thinks about an issue	My viewpoint is ...
argument	a reason that supports a position	My main argument is ...
agreement	the speakers share a view	We reached agreement on ...
disagreement	the speakers have different views	There is disagreement about ...
compromise	a solution both sides can accept	A possible compromise is ...
convinced	sure that an idea is right	I'm not convinced because ...
voluntary	done by choice, not forced	Recording should be voluntary.
permission	agreement that something may be done	Ask for permission before sharing.

<details> <summary>Deutsch-Hilfe zum Wortschatz</summary> viewpoint = Standpunkt; argument = Begründung/Argument; agreement = Zustimmung/Einigung; disagreement = Widerspruch; compromise = Kompromiss; voluntary = freiwillig; permission = Erlaubnis. </details>

Pronunciation and Fluency

Clarity first. You do not need an accent-free performance. Aim for understandable speech, clear stress and useful pauses.

Chunk: I see your POINT, / but I DISAGREE.
Chunk: That's TRUE, / but we ALSO need to ...
Chunk: Could you EXPLAIN / why you think that?
Chunk: A possible COMpromise / would be ...

Shadowing: Choose one short line from the video. Listen, pause, repeat twice, then say a new sentence with the same rhythm.

Speaking

Round 1: Respond

Topic: Our class should have one phone-free break every day.

Choose one move:

Agree: I agree because ...
Partly agree: I see your point, but ...
Disagree: I'm not so sure about that because ...

Round 2: Ask

After your partner answers, ask one real follow-up question:

Could you explain why?
What would happen if ...?
Can you give an example?
Is there a compromise?

Round 3: Improve and use again

Repeat your idea, but improve one thing: make the reason clearer, connect two ideas, or respond directly to your partner.

Challenge: React spontaneously to a new condition: The rule only applies during lunch.

Discussion card

In groups of three, discuss for about two minutes: For a class project, is a video, a podcast or a poster exhibition the best format?

Each speaker should:

state one viewpoint,
give one argument,
react to another speaker,
ask one question,
help the group reach a conclusion or clear disagreement.

Writing

Write a short follow-up email of about 90–120 words to the fictional class group.

Include: the main issue, at least two positions, one point of agreement or disagreement, and the current compromise. Use linking words such as because, but, although, however or so.

Keep your own draft. If you use teacher-approved digital feedback, compare it with your original and decide which changes are actually useful.

Mediation

Read the German note, then explain the key points in English to an English-speaking exchange student. Do not translate sentence by sentence.

Die Klasse möchte ein gemeinsames Medienprojekt machen. Einige möchten sprechen, andere lieber gestalten oder schneiden. Aufnahmen sollen freiwillig bleiben und ohne Zustimmung nicht öffentlich hochgeladen werden. Die Gruppe sucht deshalb nach einer Lösung, bei der verschiedene Rollen möglich sind.

Target: 3–5 clear English sentences that keep the important meaning.

Functional grammar

Use grammar to make your discussion work.

Function	Useful form	Example
give a reason	because	I prefer a podcast because it is easy to share.
show contrast	but / although / however	I agree, but we need another option.
suggest	could / how about	We could use both formats.
make a condition	if	I agree if recording is voluntary.
sound less absolute	might / may	Some students might prefer design work.

Help levels

Hint 1: Phrase bank

Agreement: I agree. / Exactly. / That's a good point.

Partial agreement: I see your point, but ... / That's true, although ...

Disagreement: I'm not so sure about that. / I think I disagree because ...

Ask: Could you explain why? / Can you give an example?

Compromise: How about ...? / A possible compromise would be ...

Hint 2: Response frame

Position → reason → reaction → question

I think ... because ... . I see your point about ... , but ... . What do you think about ... ?

Hint 3: Mini-model

I think a podcast could work because different students can take different roles. I see your point about privacy, though. Recording should be voluntary. Could we keep the file inside the class?

<details> <summary>Deutsch-Hilfe zur Strategie</summary> Wenn Du festhängst: 1. Position nennen. 2. Einen Grund geben. 3. Auf die andere Person reagieren. 4. Eine Frage stellen. Erst danach nach einzelnen Wörtern suchen. </details>

Feedback

Use this short peer-feedback routine:

Meaning: I understood your position.
Reason: Your argument was clear / needs one example.
Interaction: You reacted to another speaker.
Question: You asked or answered a follow-up question.
Language: Choose one sentence to improve, not the whole text at once.

Feedback sentence: Your point was clear because ... . One way to improve it is ... .

Error analysis

Improve the lines. Keep the original idea.

You're wrong. → make the disagreement polite.
I agree. → add a reason.
Podcast better. → build a complete B1 sentence.
I disagree because I disagree. → give a real argument.
Yes, but ... → finish the contrast clearly.

Check: Did the improved line become clearer, more respectful and more informative?

Responsible media and AI use

Recordings are voluntary and should stay private unless everyone involved agrees to sharing.
Do not upload classmates' voices, images, names or other personal data without clear permission.
Do not send learner work to external AI services unless this is explicitly allowed in your learning setting.
Check AI-generated facts, sources and feedback before using them.
Keep your own original text so you can see what you changed and why.

Transfer

New situation: Your year group has €300 for one shared activity. Three ideas are on the table: a sports afternoon, a creative workshop or a local excursion.

Task: Follow a short three-person discussion. Note each position and one argument. Then join in with one response, one question and one compromise idea.

Can-do check

I can ...	Not yet	With a hint	On my own
follow the main idea of a three-speaker discussion	□	□	□
identify arguments	□	□	□
notice agreement and disagreement	□	□	□
respond and give a reason	□	□	□
ask a useful follow-up question	□	□	□
summarise positions in writing	□	□	□

Folgekurs

Continue with E9 M - Take part in a discussion and support your opinion: longer turns, clearer evidence, spontaneous reactions and negotiated solutions.

Interaktive Aufgaben

Quiz: Teste Dein Wissen

What is an argument in a discussion? (A reason that supports a position) (!A greeting at the start) (!A list of every word) (!A change of speaker)

Which phrase shows polite disagreement? (I see your point, but I think differently) (!Exactly, I agree) (!That is the final decision) (!Thanks for listening)

Why does Ben first prefer a poster exhibition? (It offers visuals and avoids forcing people to record) (!It needs a public upload) (!It removes all group work) (!It has no design work)

What compromise does the class discussion reach? (A short podcast with optional posters and voluntary recording) (!Only a public video) (!Only individual essays) (!No class project)

Which question keeps a discussion going? (Could you explain why) (!What is your surname) (!Can we stop now) (!Where is the dictionary)

What is the best aim of a first listening? (Understand the main direction of the discussion) (!Write down every word) (!Translate every sentence) (!Copy the subtitles)

Which word commonly introduces a reason? (because) (!although) (!maybe) (!however)

What supports good turn-taking? (Reacting to others and asking follow-up questions) (!Speaking for the whole time) (!Changing the topic quickly) (!Ignoring other viewpoints)

What does mediation focus on here? (Passing on the key meaning clearly) (!Translating every word exactly) (!Inventing extra facts) (!Changing the speaker's position)

What is useful peer feedback? (Name one strength and one specific improvement) (!Correct every sentence at once) (!Judge the speaker's accent) (!Replace the learner's whole text)

Memory

viewpoint	the position someone holds
argument	a reason supporting a position
agreement	speakers share a view
disagreement	speakers hold different views
compromise	a solution both sides can accept
evidence	information that supports a claim
turn-taking	speakers share the speaking time

Drag and Drop

Ordne die richtigen Begriffe zu.	Funktion
I see your point, but	polite disagreement
Exactly	agreement
Could you explain why	follow-up question
Because	giving a reason
How about	suggesting a compromise

Kreuzworträtsel

argument	What do you call a reason that supports a position?
agreement	What do you call a shared view between speakers?
disagreement	What do you call a difference of opinion?
evidence	What can support a claim with information?
compromise	What solution can both sides accept?
viewpoint	What word means a person's position on an issue?

LearningApps

Lückentext

Offene Aufgaben

Leicht

Media freeze-frame: Look at one discussion image above and write three English phrases that could fit the scene.
Phrase cards: Make six cards: two for agreement, two for disagreement and two for follow-up questions.
Signal hunt: Mark the fictional dialogue with A for argument, + for agreement and – for disagreement.
Thirty-second pair talk: Discuss a simple school choice for 30 seconds and use one reason plus one response.

Standard

Role cards: Create three fictional positions for the class-project question and run a two-minute discussion.
Discussion map: Draw a map with three viewpoints, one argument each and one possible compromise.
Private recording: If everyone agrees, record a one-minute practice locally, listen once and delete or keep it privately according to your class rules.
Follow-up email: Write 90–120 words that summarise two positions and the current agreement or disagreement.

Schwer

Three-person discussion: Discuss a new issue for three minutes and react spontaneously to at least two turns.
Mediation challenge: Read a short German class note and explain its main points orally in English without sentence-by-sentence translation.
Error clinic: Collect five anonymous fictional discussion errors, explain the problem and improve each sentence.
Mini-video storyboard: Plan a 60-second fictional discussion video with three positions, captions and a privacy-safe production plan; no upload is required.

Lernkontrolle

Unseen discussion: Listen to a new short discussion and create a three-column map: speaker, position, argument. Explain how you identified each position.
Politeness and effect: Compare two ways to disagree and explain which linguistic features make one version easier to respond to.
New condition: Take the podcast discussion and add a new condition, such as very little time. Explain how the compromise should change.
Mediation: Pass on the key points of a short German planning note in English and justify which details you left out.
Feedback to revision: Improve a first draft after one peer comment, then explain why you accepted or rejected that comment.
Fact and source check: Examine one factual claim from a digital tool or AI-assisted suggestion, verify it with a reliable source and document what you kept or changed.

Lernnachweis

For a successful learning record, show that you can:

follow the gist and main arguments of a short multi-speaker discussion,
distinguish agreement, partial agreement and disagreement,
respond with a reason and a follow-up question,
contribute to a compromise or clearly state a remaining disagreement,
summarise positions in a coherent short text,
mediate key meaning without word-for-word translation,
reflect on one language improvement and one interaction strategy,
protect privacy and check digital or AI-supported feedback before using it.

OERs zum Thema

Medien- und Quellenhinweise

Medium	Quelle / Lizenzhinweis
	Wikimedia Commons, CC0
	Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
	Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
	Wikimedia Commons, CC0
	Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain

The embedded learning videos are from the official British Council English and BBC Learning English YouTube channels. Use the embeds; do not re-upload the videos.