1. Skills
  2. Speaking
  3. B2 speaking
  4. Challenging someone's ideas

Challenging someone's ideas

In this video, Vanya tells Paul and Emir about her latest idea. Listen to the language they use for challenging someone's ideas and practise saying the useful phrases.

Do the preparation exercise first. Then watch the video and do the exercises to check your understanding and practise the language.

Preparation

Speaking B2: Challenging someone's ideas – preparation

Transcript

Ana: Hi! I'm Ana. Welcome to What to Say! 

Do you know what to say when you want to challenge someone's ideas? Listen out for useful language for challenging someone's ideas. Then, we'll practise saying the new phrases – after this.

 

Vanya: Guys! I've got it! I've figured it out!

Emir: Figured what out?

Paul: That it's polite to knock on the door before coming in? 

Vanya: This idea is just too good, Paul! It's too good!

Paul: Go on, then.

Vanya: So! Cats!

Emir: I'm a bit lost. What are you talking about?

Vanya: Videos. Cat videos! For our social media account. Hundreds of them. Everyone loves cats! 

Paul: I hate cats.

Vanya: Everyone except you, Paul.

Paul: Have you considered the fact that we're a branding agency, not a pet shop?

Vanya: I take your point, Paul, but, come on, be imaginative! Cat videos are some of the most searched videos on the internet.

Emir: I see where you're coming from, Vanya, but I think I agree with Paul here. How is this relevant for a branding agency?

Vanya: Look. Social media, it's a numbers game. If we share dozens of cat videos each day, then we get more followers. 

Emir: That's true. So how exactly do you see this working? I mean, who's going to find all these videos?

Vanya: Erm, OK, I'm very aware of the challenges here, but I'm convinced this is going to work.

Paul: I'm not so sure.

Emir: Well, I guess you have to look at it from both sides. Why don't we try it for a couple of weeks and see if there's any impact?

Vanya: Great! We are going to get so many more followers. I'm absolutely positive! 

Paul: Good luck with that! I hope it doesn't turn out to be a cat-astrophe ... What? ... It's a good joke.

 

Ana: Hello again! Well, I thought that was a good joke! So, did you notice the useful phrases used for challenging someone's ideas? Listen to me and then repeat. 

 

I'm a bit lost. What are you talking about?

Have you considered the fact that we're a branding agency, not a pet shop?

I take your point, but be imaginative. 

I see where you're coming from.

I think I agree with Paul here.

How exactly do you see this working?

I'm very aware of the challenges here, but I'm convinced this will work. 

You have to look at it from both sides.

 

Ana: Try and use some of these phrases the next time you want to challenge someone's ideas in English. Bye for now! 

Task 1

Speaking B2: Challenging someone's ideas – 1

Task 2

Speaking B2: Challenging someone's ideas – 2

Task 3

Speaking B2: Challenging someone's ideas – 3

Discussion

Have you ever tried any unusual ideas at work?

Download
Worksheet117.83 KB

Language level

B2 Upper intermediate
Average: 4.8 (99 votes)
Profile picture for user Hennadii

Submitted by Hennadii on Thu, 07/01/2021 - 17:33

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It hard to use unusual ideas when you are working in the construction)) Most of my work connected with engineering and building so I have always to trace the building norms so I haven't many opportunities to use my imagination and creativity. Of course, there are always some challenging tasks where you need to think irregularly and have a risk but it isn't a common situation.

Submitted by Ebiyousef on Sun, 27/12/2020 - 11:47

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Brainstorm is one of good things for co-workers at office becuse help them find new ideas and solutions. Sometimes we did like these guys and discussed about ideas.

Submitted by Lola Bernal on Sat, 26/12/2020 - 12:24

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yes, I've tried to implement new ideas that didn't work out at the moment but were considered enthusiastically later on

Submitted by YewandeAdeosun on Fri, 25/12/2020 - 19:12

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Yes I have. I tried introducing some ideas via proposals and they are being considered

Submitted by Dealibralon on Mon, 21/12/2020 - 11:42

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yes, I have had a proposal to make a short video from each person of the departments to present them at the Christmas party office. My boss took the point and tried to figure out how exactly it would work, but she was convinced it was a good idea at last.

Submitted by fariba on Sun, 20/12/2020 - 10:26

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yes, i propose a new idea but don't imply.

Submitted by Said ALRaisi on Sun, 20/12/2020 - 06:14

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Yes, I challenges my leader idea sometime.

Submitted by iamloïs on Fri, 20/11/2020 - 08:04

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Yes, with my class, we did the secret santa-clauss. For Christmas, we drew a paper where someone's name was written on it, and we had to give him a gift. So, everyobdy had to give a gift and everybody will receive one.

Submitted by mamomamo on Wed, 18/11/2020 - 11:35

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yes, I tried this before in our proposal to the manager and his team.