1. Skills
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  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)
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Submitted by Sofia Sandoval on Thu, 15/04/2021 - 03:47

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Normally, I suggest improving ideas for teamworks, but im feeling very down, so I guess I will try and listen to my co-workers, everything in order to keep my grades up.

Submitted by Eidrian on Thu, 11/02/2021 - 02:49

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I have tried to come up with some new ideas in my job. Sometimes, the team agrees with me but in other times, they say that it is a bad idea(not a good idea) and that it won't work.

Submitted by TharHtoo on Tue, 09/02/2021 - 10:34

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Some of them like my idea when I first talk then one don't agree with my point and all are suddenly change to the same side. What's happening this? How would you react that situation?
because at first most of them are not sure about that but they said yes may be because they don't want to oppose your idea or they don't want to work or give idea as they just want easy way. But when there's someone who oppose your idea, they will agree with him. I have also experienced like this before. As for me, I ask them what points do i need or do i have to change. When their idea is better, i change or add some points and so all agree with this.

Submitted by German on Wed, 03/02/2021 - 02:05

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I have tried unusual things at work. Sometimes I like to do new things and new forms for to do better my work.

Submitted by kawa on Thu, 21/01/2021 - 14:42

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I have always many new ideas, however, every time whenever you try to present your ideas, you would see there is someone who is against those ideas. Those people even don't try to explain the reason for his/her objection. this means that those people just don't agree with you as they got used to doing it, and are mentally not fit.

Submitted by Mustafa Ghreiri on Sat, 16/01/2021 - 11:55

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Challenging some ones idea sometimes is too hard, you need to go deeper and understand how is he think, maybe by asking too much questions, and you need to have some communication skills also. Still, it's a hard mission!

Submitted by Joesph on Fri, 08/01/2021 - 14:07

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New ideas usually it will reject in the first moment from the receiver, But to convince them you need to have personal skills in the persuasion. To accepting your ideas from others you should aware of all details to answer all queries and to explain the positive impact from it.