Challenging someone's ideas
Do the preparation exercise first. Then watch the video and do the exercises to check your understanding and practise the language.
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!
A refrishing start for my learning journey
That is an horrible idea
Yeah, but unusual ideas don't always work out as we imagine, so we just should give it a try and put plan B for any case.
Have you ever tried any unusual ideas at work?
It depends on what we consider unusual. I wouldn’t label them as unusual for the sake of being different, but I often question existing approaches and suggest alternatives when I see inefficiencies.
Yes, especially in a creative team, new ideas are often influenced by social media trends. Sometimes we have to challenge ideas or accept approaches focus more on reach and engagement rather than creativity. This reflects how social media works today.
That-was-very-helpful-for-me
I am an English learner. In my opinion, that's a great idea to improve our speaking skills. so, thank you for your efforts and these materiels.
We had a crazy habit at work.
Once, a bunch of people went to the kitchen at the same time. But one guy got lost. He looked at the group and the group looked at him. “What’s going on?” he asked. “Oh, we thought you invited everyone for cake, like you said in your email.” someone in the group replied. “What email?” the guy was confused. Everyone started laughing. It turned out he forgot to lock his laptop screen when he went out for a while and someone used the distraction to send an invitation. “But next time, be careful because you should lock your screen when you’re away.” someone replied.