Prime Time 8, Speaking, Maturatraining

Support material: Criticising and contradicting Challenging an argument I can’t accept those assumptions/your argument. • I don’t see how you can argue like that. • I don’t see how you can predict/assume that. • It simply/just wouldn’t work in practice. • Prove it! • What facts and figures are you using to support your argument? • What has that got to do with it/ the issue? • Where are the facts? • Where’s your proof? • You haven’t convinced me yet! • I’m sorry, but I think your argument is flawed. Expressing criticism Criticism is without a doubt needed in lively discussions, but it also has to be balanced by consent and praise. Expressing criticism in a positive way, rather than being constantly negative, creates an energy boost rather than a drain. As a matter of fact, I think that’s completely misleading. • But you have failed to account for the rising costs in social services. • I don’t feel you’ve understood the main problem of the people concerned. • I don’t see how you can argue for increased government funding when the resources are limited. • I don’t think you realise how serious the situation is. • I think you’re missing the point. • If I understand you correctly, you would reduce public spending on social programmes for the homeless. • It’s ridiculous to suggest that there’s no solution. • Look, what about the rising number of homeless? • That’s all very well but what about the legal aspects? • Very interesting. So how exactly do you propose to do it? • Well, that doesn’t get us very far, does it? • You seem to have forgotten the costs of European unity. Contradicting But don’t you think that everybody is entitled to access the same resources? • But that’s not fair. • Do you really believe that? • Don’t get me wrong, but I think you should take all new scientific developments into account. • I’m sorry, but I don’t see it like that. • I’m afraid I don’t agree. • I’m against constantly putting all the blame on schools/teachers. • Not at all. In fact food prices have been on the rise for many months now. • On the contrary: This law was passed decades ago. • Quite the opposite. • Well, actually current studies have revealed that this is no longer true. Correcting … are completely groundless. • I think it should be … rather than … . • I think you’ve got the numbers wrong. • I would like to point out one small error in … . • I’m sorry but this is not correct. • In (actual) fact … . • In reality … . • This is (simply) not in accordance with the facts. • It is not a question of … but of … . • The truth is that … . 1 2 3 4 41 19 Intercultural and social aspects Nur zu Prüfzwecken – Eigentum des Verlags öbv