Travel & holidays — Speaking

In this lesson you will explore vocabulary related to travel and holidays, and practise arguing your position on travel-related topics in Russian. By the end of the lesson you should be able to express and justify preferences, compare types of holidays, and respond to opposing views — all in spoken Russian.

Key Language for Arguing a Position

When arguing a position in Russian, use these phrases to structure your speech:

• Я считаю, что… — I believe that…
• На мой взгляд… — In my view…
• Главное преимущество состоит в том, что… — The main advantage is that…
• С одной стороны… с другой стороны… — On the one hand… on the other hand…
• Несмотря на это… — Despite this…
• Я не согласен(-на) с тем, что… — I disagree that…
• Это подтверждается тем, что… — This is supported by the fact that…

Practise linking these phrases to your opinions about travel to build a coherent, persuasive argument.

Types of Holidays and Travel: Discussion Points

Consider the following questions as prompts for practising argumentation:

1. Is it better to travel abroad or explore your own country? Why?
2. Do you prefer an organised package tour or independent travel? Justify your choice.
3. Some people say that travelling is a waste of money. Do you agree or disagree?
4. Is eco-tourism more responsible than traditional tourism? Argue your position.

For each question, aim to give at least two supporting reasons and address one counterargument. Use the key phrases above to organise your response.

Чтение: Read the following passage carefully. Pay attention to the vocabulary and the way opinions are expressed. You will use this passage as a model when you argue your own position on travel.

Speaking Task: Argue Your Position

Choose ONE of the discussion questions from the list above. Prepare a spoken response of approximately 2–3 minutes in Russian. Your response must include:

✔ A clear opening statement of your position ✔ At least two arguments supporting your view, each with an example or explanation ✔ One counterargument, followed by your rebuttal ✔ A concluding statement that reinforces your position

You may use notes with key words only — do not read from a full script. Your teacher will listen and may ask follow-up questions to test how well you can sustain and defend your position.

Peer Assessment Checklist

While your partner is speaking, use this checklist to give constructive feedback:

□ Did they state their position clearly at the start? □ Did they use at least two arguments with supporting detail? □ Did they acknowledge and rebut a counterargument? □ Did they use a variety of argumentative phrases in Russian? □ Was their conclusion clear and linked back to their main position? □ Was the language natural and appropriate for KSR-3 level?

Share your feedback respectfully after the speaking task.