Reading – thinking - speaking Watch the video (not necessarily all of it!) For further information read the associated article Discuss your opinions with your group using the sentence starters

Should all Russian athletes have been banned from the Olympics? Russia Banned from Olympics because of State-supported doping https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wn0btVjIXko http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/olympics/36912152 Should all Russian athletes have been banned from the Olympics? Arguably, … It is possible to argue… Although I can see your viewpoint, I would argue… In my opinion,…

Do zoos serve people rather than animals? Zoos – Are they Cruel or a Tool for Conservation? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irS_5-eVFUo http://www.bbc.co.uk/ethics/animals/using/entertainment_1.shtml Do zoos serve people rather than animals? It’s clearly evident that… Although you state…, I want you to consider… It may be the case that…, yet… Additionally… An alternative could be…

Should we pursue fracking as a means of providing energy? Fracking – Not in my back yard https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3qp7aFioJU http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14432401 Should we pursue fracking as a means of providing energy? Whilst it could be viewed as…, I would argue… Furthermore… On the other hand… Alternatively, …

Is reading something remarkable or do you take it for granted? Neuro Science Proves that Reading Matters https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdwFFFBCPzw http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-23703355 Is reading something remarkable or do you take it for granted? It is clear that… I understand your viewpoint, however… Yet it is arguable that… Furthermore, I would add… Despite this, I would ask you to consider…

Is it inappropriate to breastfeed a baby in public? Breastfeeding in Public – The private made public https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tN1CK4NZyqY - images of breastfeeding are included http://www4.shu.ac.uk/mediacentre/campaign-needed-normalise-breastfeeding-public Is it inappropriate to breastfeed a baby in public? In my opinion… Nevertheless it is possible to argue… Whereas you believe, I think… To extend your point, I would add…

Are footballers worth the money that clubs pay for them? Football Transfer Fees – Outrageous or Acceptable? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=athLzkB7734 https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2016/jul/27/crazy-transfer-fee-gonzalo-higuain-theatre-absurd-football Are footballers worth the money that clubs pay for them? When considering the evidence, I would argue… I disagree because… Perhaps it is possible to…, yet… Although…, I believe…

Should the public support a strike by NHS employees? NHS – Fit for Purpose? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaONKzjz4yk http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-36672762 Should the public support a strike by NHS employees? On the whole, I believe… Moreover, I would add… In contrast, … Despite this, I would ask you to consider…

Is ‘Pokemon Go’ antisocial or are there positives to the game? Pokemon – Madness or Harmless Fun https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rblmRjr5e8 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-36770488 Is ‘Pokemon Go’ antisocial or are there positives to the game? On the whole… I agree with…, yet would add… Whereas you…, I would argue… In summary I believe…

Should microbeads have been banned? Microbeads – Minute but murderous https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bic7QEVRNe4 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-37263087 Should microbeads have been banned? Although… Whilst I can understand, I would argue… Furthermore… To develop your argument, I would add…

Do the changes to GCSEs benefit students and employers? GCSE changes – are they more rigorous? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2DEGMiN4Pc http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-37175074 Do the changes to GCSEs benefit students and employers? It is evident… Moreover, I would add… Usually… Despite this argument, I believe…