We frequently associate arguments with a contentious political environment. We aim to veer as far away from it as we can with your English learners! We're discussing things like cuisine, music, manners, sports, and anything else where polite disagreement can arise and be appropriately expressed. This is not only a great method for your students to interact with one another in your class, but it's also a fun approach to have them present a case in English—possibly even one they disagree with!
Preparation
Divide your class into two groups first. In an argument, one group will make the case for one side while the other will make the case against it. Regarding the debate's subject, you are welcome to borrow ideas from the students or provide your own. A pleasant and vibrant discourse will revolve around subjects that are appealing to a wide range of people.
Every group will need to do research and compile their arguments in the English language! As a teacher who has completed TEFL Courses, you will be evaluating students based on their capacity for teamwork, communication, and contributions to the group.
You may choose how many people from each side will talk and for how long once each team has had enough time to prepare their arguments. You can schedule a debate date once each side has nominated a speaker.
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The Time During Debate
The debate must be held in English, according to the club's first regulation. Students will occasionally want some assistance, particularly if they are younger, but overall, English has to be spoken as frequently as possible. As a teacher, you are free to choose your grading scheme depending on several variables. The most crucial aspect is how compelling an argument was presented; additional considerations include the quality of the research, terminology, originality of the ideas, and delivery. It is obvious that in this case, the age group and skill level matter.
The team with the most persuasive arguments wins the debate, although individual student accomplishments can also be used to determine a student's grade. Therefore, even if a student is on the ‘losing’ team, they may have nonetheless made a strong case and spoken clearly and concisely with flawless grammar and pronunciation. The two most crucial aspects of the argument are having fun and gaining some confidence in spoken English. The stakes of the debate must be quite low for the losing team to not become overly discouraged.
The Discussion
Gather the class together and have each team member identify the points they believed the other group's arguments to be compelling. Permit each group to discuss what worked well and what they would have done differently the next time.
After that, you may have your class cast a vote on the topic under discussion to see whether their opinion varies from the outcome of the discussion. Even while the outcome of the argument is mostly irrelevant, it's still fun for your students to speculate about possible outcomes.
Regarding learning objectives, each student needs to have picked up a few new vocabulary terms. They ought to have studied rhetoric and gained some fresh perspectives on speaking in English. Speaking effectively and arguing a point is an important skill in any language.
Additionally, you've inspired pupils to look out for English terms that they may not have otherwise come across. In addition, motivating children to look for appropriate words to utilize fosters a self-directed and determined approach to learning English. These are crucial qualities to possess.
Ready For Debate?
Simply said, debates are the best technique to encourage participation in the classroom. Whether it's among student groups or between you and them, discussions have the power to break through people's shells. Debates also compel English language learners to absorb vocabulary and expressions that they may not have otherwise. To help students particularly be competitive and represent themselves well, you first need to attain a TEFL Certification and encourage them to get better.
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