3. Thinking in English, Thinking in Opinions.

Duration: 50 – 90 minutes.

Let’s take a look at today’s lesson

In this lesson we will look at how thinking in English evolves from simple description to active evaluation. “Thinking in Opinions” means bypassing the internal Portuguese debate and directly constructing a perspective using English structures.

Lesson Key: (U) = Understanding. (R) = Reading.

Thinking in Opinions.

“Thinking in Opinions” means killing the internal translation process. You stop arguing with yourself in Portuguese and build your perspective directly in English.

We do this using the “Why Ladder” technique. It pushes you past superficial answers and forces deep logical thinking. When you master this, you can jump into business meetings and social debates instantly. You eliminate the mental lag that comes from constantly switching between two languages.

Warm-Up Questions.

Do you find it harder to describe a project or to explain why you disagree with a decision?
When someone asks for your opinion in a meeting, do you feel a “freeze” while you translate?
Do you prefer giving opinions in writing (email/Slack) or speaking them in person?
Is it easier for you to be direct or to “soften” your opinion in English?
How do you feel when you cannot find the right English word to express a strong feeling?
In your professional life, do you consider yourself a “devil’s advocate” or a “consensus builder”?

How to be polite, even when you’re giving your opinion.

It’s important to be polite, even when you’re giving your opinion or telling someone that they’ve made a mistake!

Vocabulary Preview.

Word / Phrase	Meaning	Example Sentence
Perspective	A particular attitude toward or way of regarding something.	From my perspective, this strategy is too risky.
Evaluation	The making of a judgment about the value or quality of something.	We need a spontaneous evaluation of the Q1 results.
Preference	A greater liking for one alternative over another.	My preference is to use PIX for all corporate payments.
Nuanced	Characterized by subtle differences in meaning or expression.	A B2 speaker provides more nuanced opinions than a B1 speaker.
Conviction	A firmly held belief or opinion.	I speak with conviction when I know the data is correct.
Justify	To show or prove to be right or reasonable.	Can you justify why we should work from home?
Spontaneous	Performed or occurring as a result of a sudden impulse.	Spontaneous opinions show that you are thinking in English.
Devil’s Advocate	Someone who expresses a contrary opinion to provoke debate.	I will play devil’s advocate to test the strength of your plan.
Consensus	A general agreement among a group of people.	We need to reach a consensus before the meeting ends.
Stance	The attitude of a person or organization toward something.	What is your official stance on the new remote work policy?

the “cultural filter.”

The challenge for many Brazilian executives is the “cultural filter.” In Portuguese, we often use more words to soften an opinion. In English, directness is often valued, but it requires specific “opinion markers” to remain professional.

Thinking in opinions requires a mental shift called “The Why Ladder.” Instead of just stating a preference, you must be prepared to go three levels deep into your reasoning.
For example, if you say, “I prefer hybrid work,” you must immediately be able to explain why (saving time), and why that matters (reducing stress), and why that impacts the business (higher productivity).

How the Ladder Works.
The exercise involves repeatedly asking “Why?” or “Why is that important?” until you reach a fundamental human truth.

For example, starting with a product feature:

Feature/Action: “We built a new app feature to auto-sync files.”
Why? “Because it ensures the user’s data is always backed up.”
Why? “So they don’t lose their work if their computer crashes.”
Why? “Because it gives them peace of mind and saves them time.”
Core Value: “Peace of mind” or “Security”.

When you practice this “Why Ladder” directly in English, you stop searching for Portuguese synonyms. You begin to see your opinion as a logical structure.

This structural thinking is what creates the appearance of fluency. By using phrases like “What I mean by that is…” or “The main reason for this is…”, you provide your brain with the necessary time to build the next level of the ladder without reverting to your native language.

Understanding the Text.

Why can “switching” be a challenge for Brazilian professionals?
What is “The Why Ladder” and how does it help stop translation?
Why is directness valued in English business environments?
How do opinion markers like “What I mean is…” help your brain during a conversation?
What is the final benefit of seeing an opinion as a “logical structure”?

Grammar Practice Activity.

Match the opinion marker to its intended strength:

Phrase	Strength / Purpose
1. I’m absolutely convinced that…	A. Softening a disagreement
2. As far as I’m concerned…	B. Expressing a strong, certain belief
3. I tend to think that…	C. Introducing a personal viewpoint
4. To be honest, I’m not sure…	D. Suggesting a cautious or general opinion

Complete the “Why Ladder” for this statement:
“I think São Paulo is better than Rio for business.”

Reason 1: Because the infrastructure is more developed.
Reason 2: Which means…
_________________________________________________
Reason 3: Consequently… _________________________________________________

Practical Workshop: Opinion Drills.

Activity 1: This or That? Rapid Fire (5 min) Answer the following pairs in less than 5 seconds. No “it depends” allowed!

Coffee or Tea?
Beach or Mountains?
Pix or Credit Card?
Feijoada or Pizza?
São Paulo or Rio?
Work from home or Office?

Activity 2: The Why Ladder (20 min) Pick one of your answers from Activity 1. Your partner will ask “Why?” three times. You must answer level by level.

Example: “I like WFH.” → “Why?” → “Because I save time.” → “Why?” → “Because commuting in SP is stressful.” → “Why?” → “Because I feel more relaxed to start work.”

Activity 3: Mini-Debate Light (15 min) Topic: “Is it worth learning English for travel within Brazil?”

Rule: You must use at least 2 opinion phrases (e.g., “From my perspective…”) and 1 connector (e.g., “Therefore…”).

Prep: 2 minutes for notes.

Discussion: 3 minutes.

TO-DO TASK (Consolidation + Growth)

Opinion Podcast: Record a 2-minute audio note (as if it were a mini-podcast) on the topic: “One small change that would improve daily life in my city.” Focus on using at least three levels of “Why” and three distinct opinion markers. Your natural accent and “Brazilian English” are welcome—focus on the flow of the logic!