Speaking: Functional Language B1 - Lesson 3: Expressing Opinions, Hopes & Regrets

Speaking: Functional Language B1

Expressing Opinions, Hopes & Regrets

What you will learn: By the end of this lesson, you will be able to express your opinions, talk about your hopes for the future, and discuss things you regret from the past.

Conversation Scenario 💬

Let's listen to two friends in Phnom Penh discussing their plans. Notice how they use different phrases to share their feelings.

Sokha: Hey, Chantha! For our trip this weekend, in my opinion, we should go to Kep. The seaside is beautiful.

Chantha: That's a good idea! I hope the bus isn't too crowded.

Sokha: I agree. If only I'd booked the tickets online last week. We would have guaranteed seats.

Chantha: Don't worry! As long as we get there, it will be great.

Three Key Language Functions

Here are the common phrases you can use to express yourself clearly.

🤔 Expressing Opinions

Use these to share your point of view:

• In my opinion, ...
• I think / I believe...
• It seems to me that... (softer)
• To be honest,... (direct)

🙏 Expressing Hopes

Use these for something good you want to happen in the future:

• I hope...
• Hopefully,...
• I'm hoping for... (+ noun)

🤦 Expressing Regrets

Use these when you feel sad about a past situation:

• I wish I had/hadn't... (+ past participle)
• If only I had/hadn't... (+ past participle)
• I regret... (+ verb-ing)

Tips for Sounding Natural

🗣️ Pronunciation: Linking Sounds

To speak more smoothly, link your words together into phrases.

• "In my opinion" should sound like one smooth phrase: "In-my-opinion".
• The "I'd" in "If only I'd" is a contraction of "I had". Practice saying it quickly: "If-only-I'd".

Practice Your Skills 🎯

Activity 1: Opinion, Hope, or Regret?

Read the sentences and identify the function of the bold phrase.

1. "I wish I hadn't bought this phone. The battery is terrible."
   → Function: Regret
2. "Hopefully, the new market will open soon."
   → Function: Hope
3. "It seems to me that this is the quickest way to the riverside."
   → Function: Opinion

Vocabulary Glossary

• Opinion (Noun) | មតិ
  A belief or idea you have about something.
• Hope (Noun) | ការ​សង្ឃឹម
  A feeling of desire for a certain thing to happen.
• Regret (Noun) | ការសោកស្ដាយ
  A feeling of sadness about something you did or did not do in the past.
• In my opinion,... (Phrase) | តាមគំនិតរបស់ខ្ញុំ
• I wish I had... (Phrase) | ខ្ញុំ​ប្រាថ្នា​ថា​ខ្ញុំ​បាន...

Your Communication Mission ⭐

This week, your mission is to practice sharing your feelings about the past, present, and future.

1. Give an Opinion: When talking with a friend, use a phrase like, "In my opinion,..." to share your idea.
2. Express a Hope: Talk about next week. Start your sentence with "I hope..."
3. Mention a small Regret: Think of something small from yesterday you would change. Say, "I wish I had..."