Stance Adverbs and Collocations ESL Lesson Plan (C1, 60 Minutes)

Who it is for. Advanced students who write accurately but flatly. They rely on I think and very (I think it is very important), use stance adverbs in the wrong position or with the wrong meaning (Hopefully the minister will listen is fine, but Admittedly, this is the best solution is misused to mean "certainly"), and produce unnatural collocations (strongly unlikely, highly concerned).

Everything the lesson needs is on this page: the language analysis, the timed stages with the teacher's own words and instruction-checking questions, the differentiation, the printable handouts and the answer key.

Main aim. To develop students' use of stance adverbs (admittedly, arguably, clearly, evidently, frankly, inevitably, presumably, surprisingly, undoubtedly, understandably) to signal attitude and certainty, and of strong adverb + adjective collocations (highly unlikely, deeply concerned, bitterly disappointed, widely accepted, fully aware).

Learning outcome. By the end of the lesson, students can write a balanced opinion paragraph that shows their stance precisely, e.g. Admittedly, the scheme is expensive. However, it is arguably the most effective solution, and residents are understandably frustrated by the delay. It seems highly unlikely that the problem will disappear on its own.

• Subsidiary aim. To practise the position and punctuation of sentence adverbs.
• Subsidiary aim. To write a persuasive opinion paragraph.

What to know before the lesson: the meaning, form and pronunciation of the target language, and the problems learners usually have with it.

• Front, followed by a comma (most common for emphasis): Admittedly, it is expensive.
• Mid-position, after be / the first auxiliary or before the main verb: It is arguably the best option. The council has evidently ignored the report.
• End, after a comma (less common, more conversational): It's too late, frankly.
• Meaning: admittedly = "I accept this point although it weakens my argument" (not "certainly"); arguably = "it can be argued" (hedging, not "certainly").

• Unnatural: strongly unlikely, highly concerned, deeply likely, bitterly happy.

• A front stance adverb is followed by a short pause: Frankly, | it's a disaster.

• Admittedly, the scheme is expensive. However, it works. Is the writer for or against the scheme? (For.) Why mention the cost? (To accept a weakness before arguing.)
• It is arguably the best solution. Is the writer 100% certain? (No; it's an opinion that can be argued.) · Is "highly concerned" natural? (No; we say deeply concerned.)

The paragraph includes a correctly used concession with admittedly (or granted). At least four stance adverbs are used with the right meaning and position. At least three natural adverb + adjective collocations; no I think or very. 10 out of 12 or better on Handout 3.

Did students understand the difference between certainty and hedging adverbs? Did the ban on I think and very improve the writing?

Name: ______________________________ Date: ______________

Car-free Sundays: a small step Colombo needs to take by S. Wijeratne (fictional columnist)

Anyone who has sat in Colombo traffic knows the problem. Clearly, the city cannot continue like this: journeys are painfully slow, the air is often unhealthy, and pedestrians are widely regarded as an afterthought.

The proposal to close Galle Road to cars on Sunday mornings is, arguably, the most practical idea in years. Surprisingly, a similar scheme in other Asian cities has proved highly successful, with families walking, cycling and shopping where cars once queued.

Admittedly, some shop owners are deeply concerned about losing customers, and their worries are understandable. However, evidence from elsewhere suggests that people on foot spend more time in shops, not less. Understandably, taxi drivers are bitterly opposed to the idea, but a few hours a week is hardly a disaster.

Frankly, the real obstacle is not money or logistics but political courage. Presumably the council is fully aware of the benefits. It is highly unlikely that the problem will solve itself. Isn't it time we tried?

Answer the questions.

• What is the writer's opinion? ______________________________
• Which counter-argument does she accept? ______________________________
• What does she think is the real obstacle? ______________________________

Name: ______________________________ Date: ______________

A. Find the stance adverbs in the column and classify them.

B. Find six adverb + adjective collocations. ______________________________

C. Discuss.

• Why does the writer begin the third paragraph with Admittedly? ______________________________
• Where is arguably in its sentence? Could it go at the front? ______________________________

Name: ______________________________ Date: ______________

A. Choose the best stance adverb.

B. Choose the natural collocation.

C. Rewrite with the adverb in mid-position.

• Admittedly / Undoubtedly, the new law has some weaknesses, but it is a step forward.
• He's been working since 6 am, so he's presumably / frankly exhausted.
• Surprisingly / Inevitably, the cheapest model performed best in the test.
• If prices keep rising, people will inevitably / arguably buy less.
• Frankly / Presumably, I've never heard such a ridiculous excuse.
• Understandably / Ironically, the fire station burned down.
• highly / deeply unlikely
• bitterly / highly disappointed
• widely / fully available
• fully / strongly aware
• deeply / highly concerned
• painfully / bitterly slow
• Arguably, this is the best restaurant in Kandy. → ______________________________
• Evidently, the company has made a mistake. → ______________________________

Choose one topic. Write an opinion paragraph (150 words).

You must include:

Peer-review checklist

• Should university education be free for everyone?
• Should mobile phones be banned in schools?
• Should tourists pay higher entrance fees than locals at heritage sites?
• Should the working week be four days?
• a concession: Admittedly / Granted, ... However, ...
• at least four stance adverbs from different functions
• at least three strong collocations (highly ..., deeply ..., widely ...)
• Banned: I think and very

Handout 1

Handout 2, Exercise A

Handout 2, Exercise B

painfully slow, widely regarded, highly successful, deeply concerned, bitterly opposed, fully aware, highly unlikely (any six)

Handout 2, Exercise C

Handout 3, Exercise A

Handout 3, Exercise B

Handout 3, Exercise C

Common errors to watch for

• Colombo should close Galle Road to cars on Sunday mornings. · 2. Shop owners are worried about losing customers (and taxi drivers oppose it). · 3. A lack of political courage.
• certainty: clearly · hedging / assumption: arguably, presumably · concession: admittedly · attitude: surprisingly, understandably · manner of speaking: frankly
• To accept a point against her argument before answering it. · 2. Mid-position, after is; yes: Arguably, it is the most practical idea in years.
• Admittedly · 2. presumably · 3. Surprisingly · 4. inevitably · 5. Frankly · 6. Ironically
• highly · 2. bitterly · 3. widely · 4. fully · 5. deeply · 6. painfully
• This is arguably the best restaurant in Kandy. · 2. The company has evidently made a mistake.