Teaching Debate in the EFL Classroom :Teaching Debate in the EFL Classroom


Brainstorm :Brainstorm Why would teaching debate in an EFL classroom be beneficial?


Why teach debate? :Why teach debate? Debating ability is a valuable skill Debate utilizes useful English It is a unique way to teach the same grammar


Why…continued :Why…continued Develops critical thinking skills Introduces global issues Develops research skills


Class Objectives :Class Objectives Students should understand how and be able to share their opinions Students should become more aware of global and cross-cultural issues Students should gain critical thinking skills


Objectives continued… :Objectives continued… Students should gain experience in research Students should increase there knowledge and comprehension of written and spoken English


How we teach - Baby Steps :How we teach - Baby Steps Unit 1 - Opinions What is an opinion How do you express your opinion How do you express agreement of disagreement Resolutions: fact, policy, value Debate in the news Unit 2 - Expressing Your Opinion Giving reasons Strong reasons: logical, specific, convincing Types of reasons: comparison, contrast, cause-and-effect Brainstorming


Baby steps continued… :Baby steps continued… Unit 3 - Supporting Your Opinion Opinion - Reason - Support Types of support: explanation, example, statistic, expert Intro to research Unit 4 - Organizing Your Opinion Signposts: label your arguments Organizing an affirmative speech Simple debate introductions Simple debate conclusions


Baby steps continued… :Baby steps continued… Unit 5 - Refutation Refuting opinions Types of refutation: Not True: never, not always, not necessarily True but Not Important: not relevant, not significant, easy to solve Stating a refutation Unit 6 - Challenging Supports Testing supports: no source, not enough explanation, out-of-date, questionable statistic, questionable source, biased Stating refutation of a source


Baby steps continued… :Baby steps continued… Unit 7 - Organizing Your Refutation Organizing the negative case Listen, Attack, Rebuild Negative introduction Refutation format Unit 8 - Debating Your Opinion Debate formats (we recommend three on three debates) Responding to attacks Rebuttal speeches Taking notes Debate delivery


Our Success :Our Success


So, you don’t have the ideal situation :So, you don’t have the ideal situation Incorporating debate into the regular EFL classroom Mini Debates Four Corners Talking Cards Brainstorming Reading Critically (newspapers) Sharing Opinions - strong reasons Merry-Go-Round


Brainstorm :Brainstorm How can you incorporate debate into your classroom?


Which is more … / …..er? :Which is more … / …..er? Superman Or Spiderman Basketball Or Baseball Money Or Intelligence Males Teachers Or Female Teachers


Which is more … / …..er? :Which is more … / …..er? Hammer Or Pen Mother Or Father A pet Or A TV _________ Or _____________


Useful Links… :Useful Links… www.ideadebate.org (full and detailed links and lessons about debates) www.truetube.uk (a great site with videos to use in the classroom for debate. http://www.lessonplans4teachers.com/debate.php (full list of debate links and resources). www.fora.tv (pfizer debate competition videos)


Useful Links… :Useful Links… http://http://esl.about.com/ http://www.eslflow.com/debateanddiscussionlessons.html http://42explore.com/debate.htm http://www.lessonplans4teachers.com/debate.php http://www.efl-esl.com/ debates/index.html


WWW.DDD.BATCAVE.NET :WWW.DDD.BATCAVE.NET EFL CLASSROOM http://eflclassroom.ning.com


Slide 19:Adapted from a presentation by Mandy Manning & Tomoko Nakamura