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Learning Objectives
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
- Express disagreement politely and professionally in workplace discussions.
Exercise 1
Situation
Direction: Read the situation for today's lesson
In a team meeting, Alex respectfully shares his different view on the project strategy. Using phrases like “I see your point, but I think… ” and “Have we considered…?”, he presents his ideas with evidence and a friendly tone. This lets him contribute constructively without creating tension.
Exercise 2
Vocabulary
Direction: Listen and repeat after your tutor
Constructive
adjective
/kənˈstrʌktɪv/
Meaning:
Providing helpful and positive feedback.
- Alex offered constructive suggestions to improve the workflow.
Bend over backwards
idiom
/bɛnd ˈoʊvər ˈbækwərdz/
Meaning:
To try very hard to help or please someone.
- Alex bent over backwards to accommodate Sarah’s suggestions while still sharing his opinion.
Speak up
phrasal verb
/spiːk ʌp/
Meaning:
To express an opinion or concern openly.
- Alex spoke up during the meeting to provide a different perspective.
With all due respect
phrase
/wɪð ɔːl djuː rɪˈspɛkt/
Meaning:
A polite way to disagree or offer a different opinion.
- With all due respect, I think we should consider a different approach.
Exercise 3
Office Conversation
Direction: Read the conversation aloud with your teacher.
Situation:
Anna introduces herself to a new colleague at work.
I think we should launch the campaign next week.
Sarah
I see your point, but I think we need more time to finalize the content.
Alex
Should I prepare the graphics for next week anyway?
Omar
Let’s hold off for now and focus on reviewing the text.
Alex
Can we meet the original deadline?
Mr. Miller
With all due respect, a slight delay will improve the overall quality.
Alex
That makes sense.
Sarah
Great, I’ll update the team and adjust the schedule.
Alex
Check Understanding
Direction: Answer the questions about the conversation.
1. What phrase does Alex use to politely disagree with Sarah?
2. Who is waiting for instructions during the discussion?
3. What does 'with all due respect' indicate in a workplace context?
Exercise 4
Study Guide
Direction: Read the study manual aloud.
Disagreeing professionally is an important skill for effective teamwork. Start by listening carefully to the other person’s perspective. Acknowledge their points with phrases like “I see your point” or “That’s a good idea.” Use polite expressions such as “With all due respect” or “I respectfully suggest” when presenting your own opinion. Focus on constructive feedback rather than criticism.
Avoid negative language and keep your tone neutral. Support your viewpoint with facts, examples, or reasoning to strengthen your argument. Encourage discussion by asking questions like “Have we considered…?” or “What about…?” This approach shows professionalism, fosters collaboration, and helps maintain positive relationships.
Speaking up politely allows you to contribute ideas without causing conflict. By disagreeing thoughtfully, you help teams make better decisions while keeping communication respectful and productive.
Exercise 5
Choose the Correct Answer
Direction: Direction: Select the correct answer from the options A, B, or C.
1. Alex wants to ___ his opinion without causing tension.
A. speak up
B. ignore
C. interrupt
2. To give feedback politely, use ___ phrases.
A. with all due respect
B. harsh
C. careless
3. Providing ___ feedback helps improve the project.
A. constructive
B. destructive
C. irrelevant
4. Sarah suggested a plan, and Alex tried to ___ her ideas while adding his perspective.
A. bend over backwards
B. reject
C. ignore
5. Speaking politely shows ___ in professional discussions.
A. professionalism
B. rudeness
C. laziness
6. He ___ up during the meeting to share his opinion.
A. spoke
B. speaks
C. speaking
7. Using phrases like “I see your point” helps maintain ___ with colleagues.
A. good relationships
B. conflict
C. misunderstanding
8. “With all due respect” is used to ___ in a professional way.
A. disagree
B. agree blindly
C. ignore
Exercise 6
Discussion
Direction: Discuss these questions to practice speaking and share experiences.
1. How do you usually disagree with a colleague professionally?
2. When is it important to speak up in a team meeting?
3. How can you offer feedback without offending anyone?
4. What phrases help make disagreement polite?
5. How do you balance your opinion with team consensus?
6. Where is it appropriate to disagree in a workplace setting?
7. What can you do if someone disagrees with you?
8. How does polite disagreement improve team decision-making?
