Discuss a news item

When you talk about a news item with friends, family or colleagues, you need a set of useful phrases to start the conversation, give your opinion, agree and disagree politely. News discussions are a normal part of British life - in cafés, on the bus, at the office, and at the dinner table. Having the right language will help you join in confidently and keep the conversation flowing.

Below is a table of useful phrases organised by function. The left column shows the function (what you are trying to do), and the right column shows a typical phrase.

Notice the difference between I think and In my opinion. "I think" is shorter and more conversational - you use it with friends. "In my opinion" sounds slightly more formal and is more common in writing. In a chat about the news with a friend, I think is natural; In my opinion is more suited to a class discussion or a written comment.

For polite disagreement, never just say "I disagree." Instead, soften the disagreement by first acknowledging the other person's point: "That's a good point, but..." or "I see what you mean, however...". The words but and however introduce your different view. This style is friendly and keeps the conversation going. In British English, being too direct can sound rude, so softening your language is a useful social skill.

When you want to react to a piece of news, you can also use a short phrase before giving your view: "Really?", "You're kidding!", "That surprises me.", "That's a shame.", "That's great news." These little reactions make you sound natural and show that you are listening.

A typical news discussion follows this pattern:

1. Open the topic ("Did you hear the news about...?")
2. Ask for their view ("What do you think?")
3. Give your own view with a reason ("I think... because...")
4. Respond to their point (agree, half-agree, or disagree politely)
5. Sum up or move on ("Anyway, that's just my view.")

Practising these phrases will help you take part in any news discussion, in person or online.

Two friends meet for a coffee and discuss a local news story about a new park.

Read the question aloud as if you were starting a conversation with a friend about a news story.

In this section you will listen to a short conversation between two friends, Maya and Sam, who are talking about a news story they have both read. The story is about a new underground railway line that is going to open in their city next spring. As you listen, try to identify: where the new line will run, when it will open, and what each speaker thinks about the project.

Before listening, ask yourself: when a new transport line opens in a city, who benefits? Who might disagree with the plan? Try to predict one positive and one negative point that the speakers might make. Predicting first helps your brain notice the answer when you hear it.

This kind of conversation is typical of British radio phone-ins and café chats - people read a news article and then discuss it informally. You will hear the speakers use a lot of the phrases from the previous section: "Have you heard...", "I think...", "I'm not sure...". Listen for these markers of opinion. Speakers also use softeners such as "a bit", "I suppose" and "I hope so" to sound polite and natural.

Two friends, Maya and Sam, are chatting over coffee about a news article on a new Underground line opening in their city next spring.

What is the main topic of the conversation?

The "th" sound is one of the most distinctive sounds in English, and it comes in two versions: the voiceless /θ/ and the voiced /ð/. Both are made by putting the tip of your tongue between your upper and lower front teeth - not behind them, as you would for /t/ or /d/. Air flows over the top of your tongue to make the noise. The only difference between the two sounds is whether your vocal cords vibrate. For /θ/ (as in think), the vocal cords do not vibrate - it is a quiet, breathy sound. For /ð/ (as in this), the vocal cords do vibrate - you can feel the buzz if you put your fingers on your throat while saying it.

A common mistake is to use /t/ or /d/ instead, or to use /s/ or /z/. For example, saying "tink" for "think" or "dat" for "that" will sound unusual in British English. To get it right, the tongue must be visible between the teeth. Try saying "ten" and "then" and feel the difference: your tongue touches the back of the teeth for /t/ but pushes forward, between the teeth, for /θ/. Many Arabic speakers replace these sounds with /t/, /d/, /s/ or /z/, but with a little practice the "th" sound becomes natural.

Here are some common words with the voiceless /θ/:

• think /θɪŋk/
• three /θriː/
• both /bəʊθ/
• north /nɔːθ/
• month /mʌnθ/
• health /hɛlθ/

And here are some common words with the voiced /ð/:

• this /ðɪs/
• that /ðæt/
• the /ðə/ or /ðiː/
• other /ˈʌðə/
• there /ðeə/
• mother /ˈmʌðə/

The word the is interesting - the /ð/ sound is so common that most speakers do not notice it. It is also the most frequently spoken word in English. Notice that "the" can be pronounced /ðə/ (schwa) before a consonant sound ("the cat") and /ðiː/ (long ee) before a vowel sound ("the apple"). Try saying both: "the book" and "the egg". Your tongue position does not change; only the vowel after the /ð/ changes.

In this lesson, the topic is news. You will meet many words with "th" in news vocabulary: the, this, that, there, other, think, thought, three, month, and north (as in North/South). Mastering these two sounds will immediately make your English sound more natural and easier to understand. When you practise, hold your tongue tip gently between your teeth, and blow air out. Then turn your voice on for /ð/. The position of the tongue is identical - only the voicing changes. This is a great way to train the muscle memory. Record yourself saying the example words and compare them with a model.

How to make the 'th' sound: Place the tip of your tongue between your upper and lower front teeth. For /θ/ (as in think), push air out without vibrating your vocal cords - it is breathy and quiet. For /ð/ (as in this), keep the same tongue position but switch your voice on - you should feel a buzz in your throat. The tongue stays between the teeth in both cases.

Read the word aloud. Place your tongue tip between your teeth and blow air out gently.

Read the word aloud. Same tongue position, but now switch your voice on so you can feel the buzz.

Read the phrase aloud slowly, keeping your tongue between your teeth for every 'th' sound.

A good way to understand a news article quickly is to skim it first. When you skim, you read fast to get the general idea - you do not stop for every word. Look at the title, the first sentence of each paragraph, and the last sentence. These places usually tell you what the article is about and what the writer's main point is. After skimming, you can decide if the article is worth reading in detail. Skimming saves time, especially when you have many articles to read.

Below are four words that appear in the reading passage. Read the meaning and the example before you start, so the passage is easier to understand.

• commuters (noun): people who travel a long distance to work every day. "The new train line will help commuters in the north of the city."
• congestion (noun): a situation where there is too much traffic and movement is slow. "Traffic congestion has got worse over the last ten years."
• proposal (noun): a plan or suggestion that someone makes officially. "The proposal was rejected by the council."
• sceptical (adjective): having doubts about something; not sure it is true or good. "I'm sceptical about the new timetable - it sounds too good."

Now read the short opinion blog post below. It is written by a Londoner called Daniel, who is giving his view on a recent news story about a proposed new airport in the Thames Estuary. The post is short, but each paragraph has a clear job: the first sets out the proposal, the second gives Daniel's main objection, and the third concludes with his suggestion.

Should we build a new airport in the Thames Estuary?

By Daniel Pearce, 12 March

The government has proposed a £50 billion airport on an artificial island in the Thames Estuary. Supporters say it will create thousands of jobs and reduce congestion at Heathrow.

However, I am sceptical. The cost is enormous, and many experts doubt the project will ever be finished. In addition, the environmental impact on birds and marine life could be severe. Daily commuters, who already pay high train fares, will not benefit directly.

In my view, the government should first invest in better rail links. A new airport may sound exciting, but the money would be better spent on infrastructure that helps ordinary people every day.

Read the four key words and their meanings before you read the article. They will make the blog post easier to understand.

Should we build a new airport in the Thames Estuary? By Daniel Pearce, 12 March

The government has proposed a £50 billion airport on an artificial island in the Thames Estuary. Supporters say it will create thousands of jobs and reduce congestion at Heathrow.

However, I am sceptical. The cost is enormous, and many experts doubt the project will ever be finished. In addition, the environmental impact on birds and marine life could be severe. Daily commuters, who already pay high train fares, will not benefit directly.

In my view, the government should first invest in better rail links. A new airport may sound exciting, but the money would be better spent on infrastructure that helps ordinary people every day.

What is Daniel's main point in the blog post?

Which of these is NOT a reason Daniel gives against the new airport?

In a discussion about a news item, your goal is not to "win" the argument - it is to exchange views politely. In British English, being polite is very important, even if you feel strongly about a topic. This section gives you the language and the structure for a short discussion.

Useful phrases for exchanging opinions

• "What do you think about...?"
• "Personally, I think..."
• "I agree with you."
• "I'm afraid I disagree."
• "That's a fair point, but..."
• "On the other hand..."
• "All in all, I think..."

Notice the structure of a good exchange:

1. Ask the other person for their view.
2. Give your own view with a reason.
3. Respond to their point (agree, half-agree or disagree politely).
4. Add a final thought or sum up.

For example:

• "What do you think about the new park?"
• "I think it's a great idea. The city needs more green spaces."
• "That's a fair point, but I'm worried about the cost."
• "Yes, that's true, although I think the long-term benefits are worth it."

This pattern - give, respond, add - keeps the conversation going. Try not to give a long monologue. A discussion is like a game of tennis: you hit the ball, the other person hits it back. Short, clear responses are more effective than long speeches. Use a softener such as "I suppose", "I guess" or "I tend to think" when you are not 100% sure of your view - it makes you sound natural and open-minded.

A short model conversation. Tom and Emma are discussing the local news that the town library may close.

Read the question aloud. This is how you ask a friend for their view on a news story.

Read the sentence aloud. This is a polite way to disagree - first you accept their point, then you add your view.

A short opinion piece (also called an op-ed or a comment) is a common form of writing in newspapers and on news websites. The writer reacts to a news story and gives their view, usually in 80-150 words. The piece needs three things: a clear opinion, one or two reasons, and a short conclusion. A good opinion piece is short, direct and easy to read.

Below is a model opinion piece by a writer called Anna. She is responding to a news story about her town closing the local library.

"Our library is more than a building - it is the heart of our community. Last week's decision to close it is, in my view, a serious mistake. I understand that the council needs to save money; however, the library is used by hundreds of children, students and elderly residents every week. In addition, it provides free internet to people who cannot afford it at home. I strongly believe the council should look for other ways to cut costs. Closing the library will hurt the most vulnerable people in our town."

(91 words)

Using linking words (the strategy tip)

Notice the linking words in the model: however, in addition, and I strongly believe. These small words connect your ideas and make your writing flow. Here is a quick guide:

• However = but / on the other hand (introduces a contrast)
• In addition = also / as well as (adds another point)
• Although = even though (introduces a surprising point)
• On the other hand = but looking at it differently
• In my view / In my opinion = I think (states your opinion)

A good opinion piece usually uses one or two of these linking words. Using too many can make the writing feel heavy. Aim for a clear, simple flow: one opinion, one or two reasons with linking words, and a final sentence that sums up your view.

Now it is your turn. Choose a recent news story (a local plan, a new building, a transport change, a school decision) and write a short opinion piece of 60-90 words. Use at least one linking word from the list above. Then read it aloud so you can check the rhythm and the 'th' sounds in words like the, this and other.

Strategy: Using linking words

Linking words join your ideas together and make your writing easier to follow. In a short opinion piece, the most useful linking words are:

• However - introduces a contrast ('I like the plan; however, it is expensive.')
• In addition - adds another point ('It will create jobs. In addition, it will reduce traffic.')
• Although - introduces a surprising point ('Although the cost is high, the benefits are greater.')
• On the other hand - shows the opposite view ('On the other hand, many people disagree.')
• In my view / In my opinion - states your opinion clearly

Try to use one or two of these in your own writing. Do not use all of them - that would sound unnatural.

Which linking word would be best to add another point to a sentence?

Now write your own short opinion piece of 60-90 words about a news story of your choice. Use at least one linking word. When you have finished, read your text aloud. Pay attention to the 'th' sounds in words like 'the', 'this' and 'other'.