Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
ESTRUCTURA DE CONTENIDOS
Pág.
Introducción....................................................................................................................... 3
Mapa de contenido............................................................................................................ 4
1. Let’s listen...................................................................................................................... 5
2. Let’s talk........................................................................................................................ 7
4. Grammar points............................................................................................................15
4.3. Conditionals.............................................................................................................. 19
5. Vocabulary builder....................................................................................................... 20
Glosario........................................................................................................................... 26
Bibliografía.......................................................................................................................27
Control del documento.....................................................................................................29
INTRODUCTION
Whether you are taking part in a conversation, discussion or debate or writing an essay or
report on a controversial issue, it is important that you manage a good range of vocabulary
that can help you let other people know what your opinion about something is. You need to
know the right words and phrases to get your message across in the right way. Let’s take
this chance to review some common vocabulary and grammar you may find quite useful
whenever you want to express your opinions to other people.
MAPA DE CONTENIDO
DESARROLLO DE CONTENIDOS
1. Let’s listen
A: Thanks for coming with me to the mall Susana. I know you don’t like shopping very
much.
B: That’s not true Mary, I do like shopping. The thing is that I prefer online shopping over
coming here to the store.
A: Well, if you ask me, I would say traditional shopping is way too much better than
buying things online.
B: I’m not so sure about that. Personally, I think that buying things online is easier and
much more comfortable.
A: I’m so sorry to disagree with you but I strongly believe shopping online is not as
convenient as you say.
A: Yes, and let me tell you why I think so. For example, when you buy something online
you can’t see if the product is in a good condition or if it is damaged before buying it.
A: Plus, at a physical store, you can take your product with you instantly because you
don’t need to wait two or three days for your products to be sent to you.
A: Another important advantage of buying things at a physical store is that you have face
to face contact with the seller and you can ask anything you want about the product before
taking it with you.
B: I can see your point but there is no doubt that the advantages of shopping online
exceed those of shopping traditionally. Now, let me explain my point to you.
B: First of all, finding things online is pretty easy. You just need to go on the web and
search for any product you want. There are hundreds of catalogues available for you to
look for products 24×7×365.
A: That’s very true, but what do you tell me about online shopping security?
A: With online shopping there is no way of you knowing that someone is stealing your
data. You don’t even know if you will actually get the things you buy. This makes online
shopping a bit more unsafe when compared to traditional shopping.
B: Yeah, that’s true, but on the other hand with online shopping you can compare prices
and have access to customer reviews.
A: Customer reviews?
B: Yahp! If you are not sure you’re up to buying something, you can simply look at the
reviews from other customers and you’ll be able to make a much more informed decision.
A: You’re probably right but I won’t change my mind anyway. I’m still a big fan of buying
things the traditional way.
B: You are a very hard to convince person, aren’t you? We better go to eat something, I’m
afraid shopping with you will take all day long.
2. Let’s talk
In everyday life conversations it is quite common to listen to people all the time discussing
with one another what they think about a certain matter. Sometimes people agree on the
same opinion or idea, which means they think exactly
the same about something. But sometimes, people
can also disagree with one another and can strongly
argue or even fight because they have opposite views
or opinions about a subject. p ql ob
Let’s check some common words and expressions people use to show agreement and
disagreement when discussing issues, as well as some key phrases to ask for someone’s
view and to sound polite when taking the floor during a conversation.
To ask a person about their personal point of view you can use the following expressions.
To express agreement on someone else’s point of view, people use many words and
phrases depending on how strong they feel about that person’s opinion and on how
empathetic they intend to be to them. Keep in mind that once you have stated you agree
with someone else, you need to expand on the reasons why you agree on that opinion or
idea. Check the following expressions.
When you and someone else have opposite views or opinions on the same subject, you
disagree with one another. To express disagreement you can use the following expressions.
• That's different.
• I don't agree with you. I believe that programming in C++ is way too
• However… much better than using java.
• That's not entirely true.
• On the contrary… Implementing information systems can make
• I'm sorry to disagree with you, but… people’s privacy somehow vulnerable.
• Yes, but don't you think…
• That's not the same thing at all. Using open source software is not advisable
• I'm afraid I have to disagree. since you can’t get any technical support in
• I'm not so sure about that.
• I must take issue with you on that. case you have problems with it.
‘To take the floor’ is an expression in English that means to start speaking in a debate or
discussion. Usually, when you want to start speaking in a conversation, you may need to
ask for permission or interrupt someone else’s speech in a polite way. Check the following
phrases you can use to express interruption without being rude or disrespectful.
disadvantages of programming in Java (Soffar, 2017) an let’s try to figure out what the
author’s opinion is and what arguments and facts are used to support the ideas exposed
in the review.
Java advantages
Java offers the feature of Write Once and Run Anywhere, which means that the applications
developed by using this language can be run on any hardware and software platform.
Java applications are supported by every Java compatible browser and has the ability to
move easily from one computer system to another.
Java is object-oriented because programming is centered on creating objects, manipulating
them and making them work together, so it helps you to create modular programs and
reusable code.
Java drawbacks
It has a slow performance. The first and foremost drawback everyone accepts is Java’s
slow speed of execution. Of course it is designed so to get the effect of a platform-
independent feature. Designers do try to increase the performance in other aspects like
the introduction of JIT (Just-In-Time) compiler.
It has no support for low-level programming. With Java, low-level programming cannot be
done as it is intended to be portable across platforms.
It has poor features in GUI. Java supports GUI controls but with less features. For example,
an image cannot be placed on a button. The is overcome with the introduction of javax.
swing package. Swing controls come with abundant features that are comparable with
any GUI available.
It has no control over garbage collection: Garbage collection is one of the built-in features
of Java and is entirely managed by JVM. A programmer is not given any handles to control
the garbage collection to make coding simple. For this reason, Java does not come with
delete(), free(), malloc() and sizeof() among other functions (Soffar, 2017).
Reading explanation
When we write reviews or comments expressing our opinion about something, we
usually use facts, figures, examples and other resources to back that opinion up.
Doing this is important to provide a strong basis for asserting our points of views.
Based on the previous review on Java’s advantages and drawbacks, let’s check
the following chart to identify the author’s opinions and the facts, examples and
ideas that support them.
“An opinion essay is a formal piece of writing. It requires your opinion on a topic, which
must be stated clearly, giving various viewpoints on the topic supported by reasons and
/ or examples. You should also include the opposing viewpoint in another paragraph”
(“Opinion Essays - Academic Writing”, 2017).
In this section, we will focus on explaining how you can write a short opinion essay to
present your personal opinion on a specific topic. Let’s see how to do it by checking the
following sample structure in a short essay on computers (Moodle НБУ, 2017).
Nevertheless, there are those who claim that computers are unnecessary and make our
lives more complicated. They argue that in the past we managed very well using other
methods and that we have become too dependent on computers. However, they fail to
consider that the time saved by using computers for repetitive tasks enables us to use our
own time more creatively and productively.
All in all, I strongly believe that computers are a useful tool. They have changed our lives
for the better and there is no reason why we should not make them work to our advantage
(Moodle НБУ, 2017).
Introduction
Here you state the main idea of your entire essay, the point you are trying to make or
prove. In the example, the main idea or thesis statement is that “Computers have become
a necessary part of modern life”.
Viewpoints
These are the body of your essay. Here you should introduce the reasons for your opinion.
To support your reasons, remember that you need to provide details, facts and examples.
Make an independent paragraph for each reason you want to introduce.
The two points the author uses to support his opinion are:
Opposite viewpoints
Add a paragraph to show your readers opposite views on the same topic. This can help
you support or prove one of your viewpoints. In our examples a clear opposite view on
the use of computers is: Some people argue that in the past we managed very well using
other methods and that we have become too dependent on computers.
Conclusion
In the conclusion, sum up your argument by restating your thesis statement and reminding
the reader what your reasons were.
4. Grammar points
When taking the floor during a conversation, it is always important to try to be polite and
respectful every time you take your turn to speak. Whether you want to interrupt someone
or ask for permission to add a comment, you need to sound as less rude and intrusive as
possible. Therefore, it is a good idea to know how to use modal verbs for permission and
request in English, since they can help you interact with people in a more good-mannered
way.
Let’s check then how to use modal verbs for requesting and asking for permission, as
well as how to deal with passive and active sentences and conditional statements when
discussing a subject.
In English, when people want to ask someone for their permission to do something, they
use something called modal verbs.
A modal verb is a type of auxiliary (helping) verb that is used to express: ability, possibility,
permission or obligation. Modal verbs include can, may, might, could, should, would, must
and will.
Making requests
In English, when people want to make a request to someone, they use modal verbs can
and could. Both verbs have the same meaning but they are used differently.
Active sentences
In active sentences, there is a subject who does an action and the thing receiving the
action is the object. The focus of the sentence is on the person or thing that does the
action. Most sentences are active. Let’s check an example:
Passive sentences
In passive sentences, the thing receiving the action is the subject of the sentence and the
thing doing the action may or not be included in the sentence. The focus is on the object
receiving the action and not on the subject doing it. You can use the passive form of a
sentence in the following situations:
1. You consider that the object receiving the action is more important or should have all
the attention.
2. You don’t know who is doing the action.
3. You don’t want to mention who is doing the action. This is quite common when
expressing opinions. Sometimes we introduce an opinion in a general way and we
don’t want to say who has that opinion.
Active/passive overview
Active Passive Purpose of using passive form
The focus is on the object “Java” and
not on the subject “programmers”.
4.3. Conditionals
“Conditional sentences are also known as Conditional Clauses or If Clauses. They are
used to express that the action in the main clause (without if) can only take place if a
certain condition (in the clause with if) is fulfilled” (GbR, 2017). Check this example:
You can use conditional sentences when you need to provide some arguments to support
your opinions. There are three types of conditional sentences, but we will only focus on
two of them. They are:
First conditional
It is used to express that what it is said in the condition is something possible. Let’s see
how it works!
• Will + infinitive
If + present tense • Present tense
• Imperative
• Modal verb
1. If you implement an information system, your business’ performance can improve
considerably (present time).
2. If you learn how to program in C++, you will have higher chances of employability
(future time).
3. If you go to the mall today, buy some milk.
4. If you don’t water your plants, they die.
You can change the order of the elements in a conditional clause by placing the main
clause first. In that case, don’t put a comma between clauses.
system.
2. You will have higher chances of employability if you learn how to program in C++.
Second conditional
It is used to express that what it is said in the condition is something unreal hypothetical
or impossible. Let’s see how it works!
1. If open source software were more user-friendly than commercial versions, more
people would use it.
2. If I knew how to program in C++, I would make a lot of money.
3. If traditional databases allowed users to easily edit files, they would be more popular
nowadays.
4. If implementing information systems were not so expensive, businessmen would use
them more often.
Notice that in conditional sentences the past form of the verb to be “was”
is replaced by “were”:
5. Vocabulary builder
Taking part in conversations on the subjects of software, code, databases and information
technology in general is very common when you are an information system analyst and
developer. So this is why in this final section, we have prepared a selection of useful English
words you can use when describing to others what you think about specific software or IT
related aspects.
Pay special attention to the context in which each word is used and work on expanding
your vocabulary by learning the synonyms and phrases that appear along with each term.
GLOSARIO
Agree (verb): If people agree with each other about something, they have the same opinion
about it or say that they have the same opinion.
Allocate (verb): If one item or share of something is allocated to a particular person or for
a particular purpose, it is given to that person or used for that purpose.
Code (noun/verb): Computer code is a system or language for expressing information and
instructions in a form which can be understood by a computer.
Compile (verb): When you compile something such as a report, book, or programme, you
produce it by collecting and putting together many pieces of information.
Disagree (verb): If you disagree with someone or disagree with what they say, you do not
accept that what they say is true or correct. You can also say that two people disagree.
Perform (verb): When you perform a task or action, especially a complicated one, you do it.
Point of view (noun): You can refer to the opinions or attitudes that you have about
something as your point of view.
Polite (adjective): Someone who is polite has good manners and behaves in a way that is
socially correct and not rude to other people.
Rely on (verb): If you rely on someone or something, you need them and depend on them
in order to live or work properly.
Run (verb): If you run an experiment, computer program, or other process, or start it running,
you start it and let it continue.
Take the floor (phrase): If you take the floor, you start speaking in a debate or discussion.
If you are given the floor, you are allowed to do this.
FAVA - Formación en Ambientes Virtuales de Aprendizaje
BIBLIOGRAFÍA
Active and passive voice. (2017). Learn English | British Council. Recuperado
de: https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/english-grammar/verbs/active-
and-passive-voice