GRADE 8 English REHABILITATION – LISTENING AND SPEAKING:DISAGREEING POLITELY Notes
LISTENING AND SPEAKING: DISAGREEING POLITELY
Topic: Rehabilitation • Subject: English (Age 13, Kenya)
When you disagree politely, you keep respect and clear language. In English, we use soft words (hedges), modals and polite questions. Below are useful phrases and grammar forms to help you speak and listen during class talks about rehabilitation (for example: hospital physiotherapy, community projects, or rehabilitation centres).
1. Listening skills (use before you speak)
- Focus on the speaker — do not interrupt.
- Paraphrase to check you understood: "So you mean that...?"
- Ask short clarifying questions: "Do you mean the hospital or the community centre?"
- Use small encouragers: "I see", "Right", "Okay".
- Notice tone: polite disagreement often uses calm, steady voice (not shouting).
2. Useful grammar and words for polite disagreement
Important language features:
- Hedging words: maybe, perhaps, I think, I feel, it seems. (These make your opinion softer.)
- Modal verbs: could, might, would — e.g. "We could try another plan."
- Softeners: "I’m afraid", "I’m not sure", "I see your point".
- Giving reasons: use because, since, as — e.g. "I disagree because the centre is too small."
- Question forms to invite discussion: "Could we consider...?", "Wouldn't it be better if...?"
- Paraphrase to check: "Do you mean that the rehabilitation programme will take one year?"
3. Model phrases (easy to use)
"I see your point, but I think we need more money for the project."
"I’m not sure I agree. Maybe we could try a different plan?"
"Could you explain why you think the centre is enough?"
4. Example short dialogues (Rehabilitation topic)
Asha: "I think we should rebuild the sports room now."
Ben: "I see your point, Asha, but maybe we should first fix the roof. If it rains, the room will be unusable."
Teacher: "A rehabilitation centre should help everyone for free."
Sifa: "I understand, but I’m not sure that is possible. Perhaps we could offer free services for children and a small fee for adults."
5. Grammar patterns to practise
- Soft opinion: I think / I believe / It seems + (that) + clause.
Example: "I think that the rehab programme needs more staff." - Polite suggestion: Could we + base verb...? / Would you + base verb...?
Example: "Could we include counselling in the rehabilitation plan?" - Disagree with reason: I don’t agree (with that) because + reason.
Example: "I don’t agree because the building is too small." - Offer alternative: Instead of + -ing, we could + base verb.
Example: "Instead of rebuilding now, we could repair the roof first." - Conditional polite: If we had more money, we could + base verb.
Example: "If we had more funds, we could hire a physiotherapist."
6. Practice activities (in class or at home)
- Role-play (pairs): One is for a new rehabilitation centre; the other disagrees politely. Use at least three polite phrases.
- Transform these direct replies into polite disagreement:
- "No, that is wrong." → "I’m not sure I agree. Perhaps..."
- "We must do it now." → "Maybe we could wait and..."
- Listening check: Listen to a short talk about rehabilitation. Write one sentence that paraphrases the speaker with "So you mean..."
7. Quick tips to sound polite
- Start with agreement or understanding: "I see your point..."
- Use soft words: maybe, perhaps, could, would.
- Give one reason and offer an alternative.
- Keep your voice calm and friendly — body language matters.
- Always check understanding: "Do you agree?" or "What do you think?"
- Write one polite disagreement about: "Our village should use the old building for a rehabilitation clinic."
- Start with: "I see your point, but..." or "I’m not sure I agree because..."
Example answer: "I see your point, but I’m not sure I agree because the building is not safe. Perhaps we could repair it first."
Remember: Disagreeing politely helps everyone share ideas and find better solutions for rehabilitation projects. Use calm words, give reasons, and always listen first. 😊