English // Speaking & Listening
Expressing & Justifying Opinions
Articulate and justify answers, arguments, and opinions; participate in discussions, presentations, performances, role play, and debates
Quick check
When the learner disagrees with something or has an opinion, can they say why they think that and back it up with a reason rather than just saying "because I just do"?
Ask this to see whether the topic is secure.
Topic // Mastery
What mastery looks like
- State an opinion and give a reason (e.g. 'I think ... because ...')
- Participate in a class presentation or performance with confidence
- Explain thinking when answering a question rather than just giving a one-word answer
Topic // Map
Where this fits
- RequiredMust come first
- HelpfulHelps, but not essential
Before this
0 topicsNothing in the catalogue comes before this topic, so it is a good place to start.
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Expressing & Justifying Opinions
Ages 4 to 6 // Method
Leads to
3 topicsSpeaking & Listening // Ages 7 to 8
Engaging listeners requires ability to articulate opinions
- Describing AloudHelpful
Speaking & Listening // Ages 4 to 8
Oral expression skills support understanding formality in speech
- Reciting PoetryHelpful
Speaking & Listening // Ages 6 to 10
Articulating opinions supports presentation skills
Topic // Standards
Curriculum standards
- The national curriculum in England: Key stages 1 and 2 framework document
- Eng.SL.4Eng.SL.9
English // Speaking & Listening
More in Speaking & Listening
- Exploring Ideas Through TalkAges 4 to 6Thinking skillUse spoken language to develop understanding through speculating, hypothesising, imagining, and exploring ideas; use strategies to build vocabulary through talk
- Listening and respondingAges 4 to 11MethodListen and respond appropriately to adults and peers; follow agreed-upon rules for discussion such as listening to others and taking turns speaking
- Group discussionsAges 4 to 11MethodParticipate actively in collaborative conversations staying on topic; continue a conversation through multiple exchanges; maintain attention in discussions
- Asking QuestionsAges 4 to 11MethodAsk relevant questions to extend understanding; ask and answer questions to seek help, get information, or clarify something not understood
- Identifying Reasons Behind a Speaker's PointsAges 9 to 10MethodIdentify the reasons and evidence a speaker provides to support particular points, evaluating whether the reasoning is logical and the evidence is relevant
- Paraphrasing What You HearAges 9 to 10MethodParaphrase portions of a text read aloud or information presented in diverse media and formats, capturing the key ideas accurately in one's own words
- Preparing for and Explaining in DiscussionsAges 8 to 11MethodCome to discussions prepared, draw on preparation and known information, and explain ideas in light of the discussion
- Reporting & RecountingAges 8 to 11MethodReport on a topic or recount an experience with organised facts and descriptive details, speaking clearly at an understandable pace