Controversial Statements

Two or three provocative statements are written on the board. Students individually mark agree / disagree / don't know, then discuss in small groups. Quick, low-prep, and surfaces real opinions fast.

From Ur & Andrew Wright, Five-Minute Activities (CUP, 1992).

Procedure

1. Write 2–4 controversial statements on the board. Examples:
   • A foreign language can only be learned, not taught.
   • Punishment never does any good.
   • Married people are happier than unmarried people.
   • Social media does more harm than good.
2. Each student individually writes agree / disagree / don't know for each statement. No talking.
3. In groups of 3, students compare and justify. 5–8 minutes.
4. Whole class vote: raise hands for each position.
5. Optional: pairs who disagreed most get to defend their view for 1 minute each.

Good Statement Design

Works	Fails
Opinion-based, moral or social	Factually testable
Extreme enough to force a side	Neutral or obvious
Short and punchy	Long and qualified
Debatable for both sides	Only one defensible position

Why It Works

• Low production threshold: opinions don't require research, just a view.
• Forces commitment: the written agree/disagree means no sitting on the fence.
• Structural invitation: the frame naturally demands because, on the other hand, it depends on.

Variations

• Proverb version: substitute proverbs (Money can't buy happiness). Adds cultural comparison.
• Opinion line (physical): students stand on an imaginary line from totally agree to totally disagree. Walk the line, interview three others.
• Change one word: reveal a statement; class amends a single word to flip their opinion.
• Written follow-up: the strongest disagreement becomes a 10-minute argumentative paragraph.

Tips

• Avoid statements about learners' own religion, nationality, or family where stakes are too personal.
• When a class is quiet, you take the unpopular side. Disagreement is the engine.
• Three statements is the sweet spot; a dozen becomes admin.