Disagreeing

Curated and contributed by Sadie Nitta, TESOL Program, Hawaii Pacific University

TV Clip Synopsis "Friends"(2003)

Phoebe enters a New York café talking to herself and feeling unsettled about something. When she sits down with her friends, they confront her about it and share what they think she should do.

"Friends" Clip (0:52-2:28)

Video Clip Transcript:

(Phoebe enters the café talking to herself and feeling unsettled about something.)

Phoebe: *mumbles*

Joey: You okay, Phoebe?

Phoebe: Yeah, no- I'm just- it's- it's not even worth it- It's my bank.

Monica: What did they do to you?

Phoebe: It's not, it's just- Okay. I'm goin' through my mail and I open up the monthly, you know, statement-

Ross: Easy, easy.

Phoebe: And there's 500 extra dollars in my account.

Chandler: Oh! Satan's minions at work again.

Phoebe: Yes! 'Cause now I have to go down there and deal with them.

Joey: What are you talkin' about? Keep it.

Phoebe: It's not mine. I didn't earn it. If I kept it, it would be like stealing.

Rachel: Yeah, but if you spent it, it would be like shopping.

Phoebe: Okay, okay. Let's say I bought a really great pair of shoes. Do you know what I'd hear with every step I took? Not mine. Not mine. Not mine. And even if I was happy, okay, and- and skipping, I'd hear, not-not mine. Not-not mine. *repeats*

Monica: We're with you. We get it.

Phoebe: Okay. I just- I'd never be able to enjoy it. It would be like this giant karmic debt.

Monica: Chandler, what are you doin'? *walks over to him* Hey, what are you doing?

(Everyone waits for Chandler until smoke escapes his mouth.)

PJMRR*: Oh, woah. / Oh, gross. What are you doin'? / What is this?

Chandler: I'm smoking, I'm smoking, I'm smoking.

Phoebe: Oh, I can't believe you. You've been so good for three years.

Chandler: And this... *directs attention to the cigarette in his hand* is my reward.

Ross: Hold on a second, alright. Just think about what you went through the last time you quit.

Chandler: Okay, so this time, I won't quit.

PJMRR*: No, put it down.

Chandler: Alright! I'm putting it out. I'm putting it out. *tosses the cigarette into Phoebe's coffee cup*

Phoebe: Oh, no! Uh- I can't drink this now.

*PJMRR: Phoebe, Joey, Monica, Ross, Rachel.

Movie Clip Synopsis "ELF"(2003)

"Buddy," a grown man who believes he is a real-life Christmas elf, finds himself in the heart of New York City in search of his father. When he comes across a Christmas-themed store at the Gimbels' shopping mall, he is anxious to share his knowledge and love for all things Christmas, especially Santa Claus. The video clip displays a mini debate between Buddy and the store manager. At first glance, the store manager believes Buddy to be a slacking employee from his store.

(or)

"Buddy," a grown man who believes he is a real-life Christmas elf, finds himself in the heart of New York City in search of his father. When he comes across a Christmas-themed store at the Gimbels' shopping mall, he is eager to share his love of Christmas and correct those who lack authenticity. The video clip displays a mini debate between Buddy and the store manager. At first glance, the store manager believes Buddy to be a slacking employee from his store.

"Elf" Clip (0:00-0:27)

Elf Video Clip #1 Transcript:

(Buddy walks into the Christmas store with the store manager. Buddy is mistaken for one of the store workers.)

Buddy: *gasp* Wow! What's this?

Manager: This is the North Pole.

Buddy: No, it's not.

Manager: Yes, it is.

Buddy: No, it's not.

Manager: Yes, it is.

Buddy: No, it isn't

Manager: Yes, it is.

Buddy: No, it isn't.

Manager: Yes, it is.

Buddy: No, it's not. Where's the snow? *smiles* *awkward pause*

Manager: Why are you smiling like that?

Buddy: I just like to smile. Smiling's my favorite.

Manager: Make work your favorite. That's your favorite, okay?

Buddy: Okay.

Manager: Work is your new favorite.

Buddy: Fine.

Manager: It's time for an announcement.

Buddy: Okay, okay.

Teaching Activities

1. Awareness Raising

1. Fill in this table with the language expressions for disagreeing and their responses based on the clips above:

Disagreeing Expressions Response Expressions

......................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................

2. Do people disagree in the same way in your own language? What do people say to express disagreement?

3. How would you respond to the above ...in your own language? ...in English?

2. Practice

Discuss and Modify the Statements

In groups of 3 or more, discuss the same topic in each clip--using the similar expressions and response strategies (for 5-minutes).
Come together as a class and highlight which expressions and response strategies are most appropriate.
Then, each group discuss controversial statements such as those in Table 1. Students will read each statement, practice agreeing and disagreeing, and work together to modify the statements until everyone agrees.
Once completed, groups will share their modified statements with the rest of the class.

(^This activity was inspired by Newton & Nation's (2021) activity.)

Disagree with Me

In groups of 3 or more, each student selects a different card (from Table 2) and completes the statement with some true information about themselves. The goal is to say something that no one will agree with or believe is true.
When each student shares their statement, group members will respond by agreeing or disagreeing. If every member disagrees, then the student who shared "wins" the card and gets to keep it.
Continue sharing statements one by one until all of the cards are gone. The winner is the one with the most cards by the end.

(^This activity was inspired by Teach This activities.)