The following is a list of opinion phrases, aimed at expanding your vocabulary as well as enabling you to practise the linking sounds required in order to sound like a native speaker.
“In my experience…” // “As far as I’m concerned…”
“I’m absolutely convinced…” // “Speaking for myself…”
“In my opinion…” // “Personally, I think…”
“I’d say that…” // “I’d suggest that…”
“I’d like to point out that…” // “I believe that…”
“What I mean is…” // “It’s obvious to me…”
“It seems to me …” “This could possibly …”
What do you think of the following works of art ?
The Last Supper by Leonardo 1490s
As far as I’m concerned, this mural painting is one of the greatest achievements of European culture.
Personally, I think the painting is overrated. I can’t see what is so special about it.
Now, your turn. Use the above expressions; what do you think about …
Dance at Bougival by Renoir 1883Chinese landscapeMan Pointing by Giacometti 1947Socialist Realism from Viet NamStarry Night by Van Gogh 1889Lobster Telephone by Dali 1936Traditional Korean paintingThe Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living by Damien Hirst 1991
In a previous lesson, the class learnt about basic adjectives to describe appearance. I will therefore choose a student and describe the physical characteristics, e.g. this student has long straight hair, is not very tall, and wears black glasses. I will choose some students and give them a student to describe, while promoting the value ‘be polite‘.
To continue the theme of Art and creativity, I will show some artists. The class already met Frida Kahlo but I thinks it’s time they met Dali !
Dali normally get a reaction (especially when we have fun elongating his name as long as possible). It’s also a chance to learn a few new words:
creative / genius / unusual / strange / surreal
The last word maybe a little advanced, but it’s a good way to introduce new words; inside the word is ‘real’ so surreal has something to do with reality … but what ? Here’s a clue:
This is a mixture of reality and fantasy. The students can say which is which … and why does Dali give the elephants tuba faces … is there a reason or is it just crazy ?
I will then expect the student to form basic sentences using these new words, and not forgetting new vocabulary from previous lessons.
Next up, is a scene from the popular Children’s classic, ‘Alice in Wonderland’.
Again, a mix of reality and fantasy. How would the students describe this ? It could be turned into a game … students put into small groups and given boards and markers. Points for the best vocabulary. What is happening ? Also, how to tell a story – an introduction and then mentioning items point by point, linking with appropriate discourse markers. YES ! I’m going to make the students study hard today.
Always good to give a model answer, tell the students what I expect to hear, or WILF as I’ve heard it termed in some schools (What I‘m Looking For).
Now, to continue the theme and introduce some listening and reading skills, a video. This is the singer-songwriter Don McLean with ‘Vincent’, about the artist Vincent Van Gogh:
This version also has the lyrics, as well as various paintings by the artist such as:
Then, with time against us, and a lot to get through, we’ll turn to the book work. They will watch a video which also shows sculpture, mosaic and photographs. The book also mentions Van Gogh, and a sculpture based on the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party from ‘Alice’.
A useful lesson will be the subjectivity of art – it is a chance for the student to think and to give their views, and to try to develop the English skills to express their thoughts. Clearly, this is a perfect opportunity to introduce some fixed expressions to express opinions:
In my opinion …
I feel that …
For me …
And even an idiom – it’s not my cup of tea !
Finally, to wrap up after the spelling tests and writing projects, a little bit of fun. Who better than Dali (or at least a great actor playing Dali) ?
Thay Paul's Notes 