Preparation Tips
Read the article attentively.
Select the list of key words and expressions you need to speak on the problem.
Summarize the article.
Analyze the message of the article. Point out the problems raised in it, consider all the “for” and “against” of the situation described. Be objective.
Dwell on the problems of the text and take part in the classroom discussion. Revise the typical conversational clichés used to keep the discussion going (see below).
Problems for a discussion:
"Hiring a friend could be the smartest thing that you've ever done or it could ruin your company." Which variant do you support? Give evidence.
How can hiring one man by another man who are friends in out-work life influence their friendship?
Would you like to work in a company headed by your close friend / relative?
Is it possible to make real friends for a life-time among the people you are working with?, etc.
(Think of other possible problems offered by the article and raise them
In the classroom). Conversational Cliches
Let me draw your attention to the problem of …
I’m going to divide our talk into four parts.
First … Second … Third … And finally …
In the first place … In the second place … (Во-первых …, во-вторых …)
It will be useful to start with …
The first point of my speech (our discussion, etc.) is …
Considering the first point it must be said that …
It might be useful to mention here that …
To prove this point I have to mention one name (fact, etc.)
To illustrate this point …
As an example of this …
As for …
As far as … is concerned …
On the one hand … on the other hand …
My opinion of this problem is …
My view on this problem is …
I think it might be a good idea to …
I must point out the fact that …
I can’t but agree.
I stick to my opinion.
I can’t help thinking that …
I agree with you on the whole … but …
There is a lot of truth in what you say. Still …
I’m inclined to think … (Я склонен считать, что …)
I will speak in favour of …. (Я выступлю в защиту …)
I will argue against … (Я выступлю против …)
If I may say so …
I’m afraid you’ve got it all wrong.
I can’t approve of … (Я не одобряю …)
What’s your opinion of … ?
What do you think of … ?
What is your point of view?
How do you feel about …?
How do you like the idea of …?
As a matter of fact (На самом деле …)
Obviously / it is obvious that … (Очевидно, что …)
However …
In addition to …
What I mean is that …
All I’m trying to say is that …
The point I’m trying to make is that …
What I’m saying is that …
I shall be happy to answer any questions.
You are welcome with your questions.
Any questions are welcome.
On this note I shall conclude my talk.
In conclusion I’d like to say that …
To sum it up … / summing up / thus … …