B1 · Debate
Opinion Phrases
Comparatives
Concession
SDG 11 — Sustainable Cities · SDG 13 — Climate Action
🗣 Language Objectives
Express & defend opinions · Comparatives/superlatives · Concession structures · Persuasive discourse
🌍 Eco Objectives
Evaluate eco vs. non-eco transport · Understand sustainable mobility · Propose local transport policies
🎯 Skills
Speaking · Listening · Writing · Reading — all four at B1 debate level
📊 Warm-up — CO₂ Emissions Per Transport Mode (8 min)
Method: Visual inquiry · CLILB1: Comparatives + Superlatives
Look at the CO₂ chart. Which transport is the best for the planet? Which is the worst? Use comparatives: "The bike is much cleaner than the car."
💨 CO₂ Emissions per Person per Kilometre Travelled
🚘 Transport Fact Cards — Click to Flip! (B1 Level Data)
Use the data on the cards to prepare your debate arguments. Note at least 2 facts for your side!
💬 Warm-up Discussion — Use Comparatives!
🚗
"How do you usually travel to school? Is it eco-friendly?"
✅ Model: "I usually go by bus, which is greener than driving a car. However, cycling would be even more eco-friendly." (Uses comparative + concession)
🌆
"What is the most eco-friendly transport for a big city? Why?"
✅ Model: "In my opinion, the metro or tram is the most eco-friendly option for cities because it carries hundreds of passengers at once, which means far lower emissions per person than private cars."
🎬 Video Task — Sustainable Transport (8 min)
Method: CLIL · Active Listening👂 ListeningB1: Note arguments for debate
Watch one or both videos. While watching, note at least 2 new arguments or facts you can use in today's debate. Share your notes with your group afterwards.
🎬 Sustainable Transport — Watch & Note Arguments
Choose one or both clips. Note facts and arguments for the debate.
🚌 European Mobility Week
🌍 BBC Bitesize — Sustainable Transport
Open links in new tabs and display on your projector.
📝 Post-Watching — Discussion Questions
🔍 Opinion Phrases — Click to See Examples
These phrases are essential for the debate. Click each one to see a full example sentence.
👩🏫 Teacher
After watching, ask: "What new facts did you find? Can you use them in the debate?" Ensure students have noted the opinion phrases before moving to the debate stage. Model one example yourself: "Having watched the video, I would argue that investing in public transport is not just good for the environment — it is essential for social equality."
After watching, ask: "What new facts did you find? Can you use them in the debate?" Ensure students have noted the opinion phrases before moving to the debate stage. Model one example yourself: "Having watched the video, I would argue that investing in public transport is not just good for the environment — it is essential for social equality."
⚔️ Structured Debate — Cars vs. Public Transport (25 min)
Method: Debate Pedagogy · CLTGroups🗣 SpeakingB1: Persuasive language
Step 1: Use the Argument Builder to prepare 3 arguments per side. Step 2: Each group presents — 1 minute per argument. Step 3: Respond to the opposing side. Step 4: Class votes for best argument!
⚔️ ARGUMENT BUILDER
Select your position, then build your argument step by step.
① Opinion Phrase:
② Core Argument:
③ Supporting Evidence or Reason:
Select your position, then build your argument...
🚗 Cars are Better
Build arguments above and add them here...
VS
🚌 Public Transport is Better
Build arguments above and add them here...
🏆 LIVE DEBATE SCORE
🚗 Cars Team
0
points
VS
🚌 Public Transport Team
0
points
Start the debate and award points!
+1 for well-argued point · +1 bonus for correct comparative/superlative
👩🏫 Teacher
Divide the class into two groups and assign positions. Groups prepare 3 arguments using the builder (7–8 min). Then run the debate: each group presents one argument, the other group responds, then the audience votes for the stronger argument. Award points on the scoreboard. After the debate, reveal the eco-truth: public transport is objectively better for the planet, even if cars are more convenient.
Divide the class into two groups and assign positions. Groups prepare 3 arguments using the builder (7–8 min). Then run the debate: each group presents one argument, the other group responds, then the audience votes for the stronger argument. Award points on the scoreboard. After the debate, reveal the eco-truth: public transport is objectively better for the planet, even if cars are more convenient.
🙋 Students
Even if you personally disagree with your assigned position, argue it as strongly as possible! Use the language: "I would argue that... because..." / "Although cars are convenient, they are far more polluting." / "The evidence shows that public transport emits much less CO₂."
Even if you personally disagree with your assigned position, argue it as strongly as possible! Use the language: "I would argue that... because..." / "Although cars are convenient, they are far more polluting." / "The evidence shows that public transport emits much less CO₂."
🏆 Transport Ranking Race (5 min)
Method: Gamification · ReflectionB1: Justify your ranking
Click the UP/DOWN arrows to rank transport modes from most eco-friendly (#1) to least eco-friendly. Then click Check Ranking to see if you're right — and justify each position aloud!
🏆 TRANSPORT RANKING RACE
Rank from most eco-friendly (#1) to most polluting (#7). Use the CO₂ data from the warm-up!
Rank them, then click Check to see how you did!
🌍 Post-Debate Reflection
🤔
"Did arguing for cars change your opinion about cars?"
✅ "No — the debate made me realise even more that public transport is better." / "I understand both sides better now. Convenience vs. ecology is a real tension." (Concession structure: "Although cars are convenient, the environmental cost is too high.")
🏙
"What transport should our city use more of?"
✅ "In my opinion, our city should invest more in cycling infrastructure because it produces zero emissions and improves public health." / "I believe we have to expand the bus network so that people have a real alternative to cars."
🚗
"Are cars always the enemy, or can they be green?"
✅ "Electric cars produce significantly fewer emissions than petrol cars, so they are a greener option. However, I would argue that reducing the number of cars on the road is more important than making them electric." (Uses "however" + "so")
📊
"Which argument in the debate was most convincing? Why?"
✅ "The most convincing argument was about CO₂ data because it used specific numbers. Numbers make an argument much harder to refute." / "I thought the health argument was most compelling — it's not just about the planet, it's about our lungs and our wellbeing."
📜 OUR ECO-TRANSPORT CHARTER
"What will WE commit to?" — Build your class charter with "We will…" statements.
🌱 Our Class Eco-Transport Commitments:
Add your commitments below!
✏️ Homework Essay — 120 Words
"The Best Transport for My City Is…"
Introduction — State Your Opinion
In my opinion, the best transport for is . I believe this because it is than other options and better for .
Argument 1 — Environmental Benefit
Firstly, produces CO₂ than . For example, a only emits per kilometre. Therefore, it is much better for the environment.
Argument 2 — Social / Practical Benefit
In addition, is than driving because . Although cars are more convenient for some journeys, is a better choice for the city overall.
Conclusion — Call to Action
To sum up, I strongly believe that is the most eco-friendly option. Our city should invest in so that everyone can travel sustainably.
faster / cleaner / greener / cheaper
In my opinion / I believe / I would argue
Although / However / In addition
must / should / have to / could
The Best Transport for My City Is the Bus
In my opinion, the best transport for Balıkesir is the bus. I believe this because it is greener than private cars and more affordable for most people.
Firstly, a bus produces significantly less CO₂ than a petrol car per passenger. For example, a bus emits only around 89g per kilometre per person, while a car emits 170g. Therefore, if more people used buses instead of cars, our city's air quality would improve dramatically.
In addition, buses are more practical than cars in city centres because they reduce congestion on roads. Although cars are more convenient for long distances, buses are a far better choice for daily urban travel.
To sum up, I strongly believe that investing in better bus services is the most sensible choice for our city. Our local government should improve bus frequency so that everyone can travel sustainably.
In my opinion, the best transport for Balıkesir is the bus. I believe this because it is greener than private cars and more affordable for most people.
Firstly, a bus produces significantly less CO₂ than a petrol car per passenger. For example, a bus emits only around 89g per kilometre per person, while a car emits 170g. Therefore, if more people used buses instead of cars, our city's air quality would improve dramatically.
In addition, buses are more practical than cars in city centres because they reduce congestion on roads. Although cars are more convenient for long distances, buses are a far better choice for daily urban travel.
To sum up, I strongly believe that investing in better bus services is the most sensible choice for our city. Our local government should improve bus frequency so that everyone can travel sustainably.
📋 Assessment Notes
👩🏫 Teacher
✅ Speaking: opinion phrases used correctly in debate? Comparatives accurate?
✅ Listening: students noted arguments/evidence from video for use in debate?
✅ Debate: clear argument structure? Evidence provided? Responded to opposing side?
✅ Essay: opinion + 2 arguments + conclusion? Comparatives + opinion phrases + modals? 120 words?
✅ Self-reflection: students can distinguish between convenience and eco-friendliness.
✅ Speaking: opinion phrases used correctly in debate? Comparatives accurate?
✅ Listening: students noted arguments/evidence from video for use in debate?
✅ Debate: clear argument structure? Evidence provided? Responded to opposing side?
✅ Essay: opinion + 2 arguments + conclusion? Comparatives + opinion phrases + modals? 120 words?
✅ Self-reflection: students can distinguish between convenience and eco-friendliness.
📜 Display Eco-Transport Charter🚲 Bike-to-school challenge🌍 Car-free day participation