Reporting News

When you report a news story, it is important to summarise the main points.

You do not have to fully understand every word in the article, but make sure you have understood the main ideas.

When you summarise a news story, the 6 important things to remember are:

*    WHEN? - When did it happen/take place?

*    WHAT? - What happened? (Basic details)

*    WHERE? - Where did it happen? (Location)

*    WHO? - Who was involved?

*    HOW? - How did it happen?

*   WHY? - Why did it happen? (Reasons and causes)

 

Here is an example of a short summary of a recent news article.

"Russian passenger jet reported missing in Indonesia

Last Wednesday, a Russian Superjet airplane went missing whilst on a demonstration flight in Indonesia. The plane began its journey at 7 o'clock in the morning from Jakarta's airport and the flight was only supposed to last 30 minutes. It is believed that the plane was flying near a mountain which was close to the city Bogor, before it disappeared.

A spokesman explained that 46 people were on the plane but he is unsure of their specific names. However the people were invited guests and were testing this new plane as Sukhoi's first commercial aircraft.

The plane was doing its second demonstration flight of the day but did not return. Nobody knows why the plane has disappeared and what caused its disappearance. It remains a mystery."

Now you have to find two news stories with a common topic which connects them, one which took place far from us and another which happened either in Valls, L'Alt Urgell, Tarragona or Catalonia. Summarise them and tell us about the shared topic.

Tools for a debate

 

1. Introducing the topic

Ø      Today we are here to discuss…

Ø      The goal of our discussion today is…

2. Bringing in other people

Ø      What is your opinion, Mr. Ito?

Ø      Do you agree with Mr. Ito’s opinion, Ms. Suzuki?

Ø      Mr. Ito, what do you think we should do?

Ø      Mr. Ito, what are your views regarding this point?

3. Keeping the Discussion Moving

Ø      Let’s go on to another point.

Ø      Next, let’s talk about…

Ø      Let’s talk about that later.

4. Giving an opinion

Ø      In my opinion…

Ø      As far as I’m concerned…

Ø      Personally, I believe that... / I strongly believe that...

Ø       The way I see it is… 

Ø       I think that...

Ø       I do not believe that...

Ø       From my point of view...

Ø       My belief is that...

Ø       In my view...

Ø       Personally...

Ø       I feel strongly about...

Ø       I (strongly) agree with... / I (strongly) diasgree with...

Ø       I am in favour of...

Ø       It seems to me that...

Ø       I would argue that...

Ø       Generally speaking, I think that...

Ø       I'm absolutely convinced that…

Ø       I'm sure that…

Ø       I have no doubt that…

5. Getting further information

Ø      Would you mind explaining that a little more, please?

Ø      Could you explain that more fully?

Ø      Could you tell us a bit more about that? 

6. Restating an idea

Ø      In other words,

Ø      That is, …

Ø      What I’m trying to say is…

Ø      I mean…

Ø      To put it another way… 

7. Persuading Convincing

Ø      You must admit that…

Ø      Don’t forget that…

Ø      You must remember that… 

8. Inquiring about Agreement or Disagreement

Ø      Do/don’t you agree, Ms. Suzuki?

Ø      Wouldn’t you agree, Mr. Ito? 

9. Expressing Agreement

Ø      Yes, that is right/correct.

Ø      You are right/correct.

Ø      I definitely agree with Ms. Suzuki.

Ø      That is exactly what I think. 

10. Expressing Disagreement

Ø      I don’t really agree with him/her.

Ø      I’m afraid I can’t agree with his/her opinion.

Ø      That’s not quite how I see it.

Ø      I can see your point, but I don’t really agree with it.    

11. Expressing doubt or reservation

Ø      Well, maybe, but I’m not sure about that.

Ø      Hmm, he may be correct but I’m not sure.

Ø      I can see your point, but I’m not sure I agree. 

12. Refuting a fact

Ø      Actually,

Ø      As a matter of fact, …

Ø      Well, I’m not sure that is true/correct because… 

13. Dismissing an irrelevant point

Ø      I’m afraid you’re missing the point.

Ø      I don’t think that has anything do with the goal of our discussion. 

14.  Making suggestions

Ø      Why don’t we/you…

Ø      How about…

Ø      I suggest that we/you… 

15. Agreeing with a suggestion

Ø      Ok. That makes sense.

Ø      Of course.

Ø      Certainly 

16. Refusing a suggestion or request

Ø      I’m sorry but that is out of the question

Ø      Unfortunately that is not possible. 

17. Capitulation

Ø      Mr. Suzuki has convinced me that my opinion/suggestion/idea is not useful/practical/necessary/good. Therefore, I have changed my mind.

Ø      OK. You have persuaded me to change my mind. I can agree with you. 

18. Expressing similarities

Ø      Those two points/suggestions are similar.

Ø      Mr. Suzuki’s idea is about the same as Ms. Ito’s.

Ø      My idea/suggestion is (more)....er than mine/hers.       

19. Interrupting

Ø      Excuse me for interrupting, but…

Ø      Sorry to interrupt, but… 

20. Getting a point into the discussion

Ø      I have a point I’d like to make.

Ø      I’d like to add something here.

Ø      I’d like to say something about your/her/his idea. 

21. Seeking clarification

Ø      What do you mean?

Ø      Sorry, I’m not quite sure what you mean.

Ø      Do you mean that…?

Ø      I’m sorry, I don’t quite follow.

Ø      I don’t quite understand what you’re saying. 

22. Paraphrasing another person’s idea

Ø      What Ms. Ito means is that…

Ø      What (s)he is trying to say is that… 

23. Requesting

Ø      Ms. Ito, I wonder if you would mind................., please?

Ø      Mr. Kato, do you think you could..............., please? 

24. Making comparisons

Ø      Mr. Ito’s explanation is more/less............than hers/his.

Ø      Your opinion/idea is.............-er than mine/hers. 

25.  Expressing Preference

Ø      I think the best/worst suggestion is …

Ø      His idea is the............-est  (best, most reasonable etc.)

Ø      Her proposal is the most/least…

Ø      One of the most practical items is..............., so we/you should definitely take/use it. 

26. Closing the Discussion

Ø      In conclusion, the purpose of this discussion…

Ø       The goal of our discussion is to….

Ø      We have concluded that…     

Homefeatures

Discuss with your partner the characteristics of your ideal home.

Open publication - Free publishing - More language

My hometown

Conversation Questions
Hometowns

• After you graduate do you want to live in your hometown? Why or why not?
• Can I visit your hometown on the Internet?
• Do you like your hometown? Why or why not?
• How many TV channels do you get at home?
• Do you miss your home country?
• What do you miss the most?
• Do your childhood friends still live in your hometown?
• If not, where are they now?
• Does anyone famous come from your hometown?
• Does your hometown have any festivals? What happens at that festival?
• How long does it take to get from your hometown to here?
• Has your hometown changed a lot since you were a kid? If so, how? Have the changes been for the better or worse?
• Is your hometown famous for anything?
• Where is your hometown?
• What is the population of your hometown?
• What is the population of your country?
• What are some things in your hometown that are part of history?
• What does your hometown produce? What does it grow?
• What is the best season in your hometown?
• What is the best thing about your hometown?
• What is the worst thing about your hometown?
• What's there to do in your hometown?
• What's your hometown like?
• When is the best time to come to your hometown?
• Where are you from?
• What is the geography of your hometown? (i.e. beach, mountains, etc.)
• What are the main attractions in your hometown?
• What are the main economical resources in your hometown?
• Can you describe the main geographical features of your hometown?
• What is the average temperature in winter time? (summer time?)
• Would you like to be in your hometown now? Why or why not?
• If you could live anywhere, where would you like to live?
• How do you see your hometown growing in the next 20 years?
• Is your hometown growing? Is this a good or a bad thing?
• Tell me why I would enjoy visiting your hometown.
• Tell me why I should visit your hometown.
• What interesting city lies to the north, south, east, west of your hometown?
• How many stoplights does your hometown have?
• Does your hometown have a college or university?
• Does your hometown have a shopping mall shopping?
• Does your hometown have antique shopping places?
• Where is the best place to get a reasonably priced, but delicious meal in your hometown?
• How long have you lived in your hometown?
• Do any of your family members (still) live in your hometown?
• Where did your maternal and paternal great-great-great grandparents live or come from?
• Do you hope that someday your hometown would be world famous for something? What could it be famous for?
• What is the average yearly rain fall for your hometown?
• Does it snow in your hometown?
• If you could change one thing in your hometown, what would you change and why?
• Would you ever run away from your home?
• How many members of your family were born in your hometown?
• Were you born there?
• Is any farming done in your hometown?
• Is so, what crops are grown?
• What animals are raised?
• What is the rate of crime in your hometown?
• What crimes are most common?

Your Neighbourhood

What is your neighbourhood like? Do you like it there? What about the people who live near you?

 

Follow this long list of questions and try to offer your partner as much information as you can about the topic.

Description

Do you like your neighborhood? Why or why not? 

What do you like most? What do you dislike? 

Is your neighborhood urban, or rural? Is your neighborhood noisy at night? 

Is your neighborhood convenient? 

Is there a karaoke shop? a convenience store? a candy store? 

What other shops are there? Are there any good restaurants? 

Do you do any of your shopping in your neighborhood? 

Is there a park in your neighborhood? Have you gone there recently? 

Are there any good places for children to play? to climb trees? 

Is there some place where you can set off fireworks? 

Are there any fields in your neighborhood? rice paddies? 

Do you like gardening? 

Do you live close to a beach? a mountain? 



Question 2. Are there any rivers or lakes near you?
 
Are there any nice places to take a walk? any mountains to climb? 

What are the most popular places in the neighborhood? 



Question 3. What are your favorite places? Are there any places you dislike?


 
Question 4. What is the tallest building in your neighborhood?
 
Did you go to any schools in your neighborhood? 

Is there a library in your neighborhood? a hospital? a movie theater? a pool? 

Are there any sightseeing spots in your neighborhood? 

Are there any good date spots? 

Is there a highway or a bus stop near your house? 

How is the parking in your neighborhood? 

How many cars can park at your house? 

Where do other people park when they visit you? 

How has your neighborhood changed? 

What are the special products of your area? 

What animals are there in your neighborhood? 



Question 5. What festivals are held in your area? When?


 
Question 6. Do you have any special memories (good or bad) of your neighborhood?
 
Have there been any fires or accidents in your neighborhood? 

What would you like to do for your neighborhood? 



House or Apartment

Do you live in a house, or an apartment? Which would you prefer? Why? 

How many rooms are there? 

Do you have your own room? 

Who else lives with you? 

Does your family own it, or do you rent? 



People (the neighbors)

Do you want to be friendly with your neighbors? 

Do you greet your neighbors? Talk with them? 



Question 7. What are your neighbors like? Are there any nice neighbors? annoying neighbors?
 
Have they ever helped you? 

Do you ever go out with your neighbors or eat at their house? 



Question 8. Do any unusual or interesting people live in your neighborhood? famous people? any foreigners?
 
Do you have many friends in your neighborhood? How many? 

Do your neighbors have children? Do they have pets? 

What dialect of Japanese is spoken in your neighborhood? 

Are there any childhood friends among your neighbors?