Teaching Debate in the EFL Classroom Adapted: Mandy Manning & Tomoko Nakamura

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

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 Develops critical thinking skills Develops critical thinking skills Introduces global issues Introduces global issues Develops research skills Develops research skills

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

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

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

Baby steps continued… 5. Unit 5 - Refutation Refuting opinions Refuting opinions Types of refutation: Types of refutation: o Not True: never, not always, not necessarily o True but Not Important: not relevant, not significant, easy to solve Stating a refutation Stating a refutation 6. 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… 7. Unit 7 - Organizing Your Refutation Organizing the negative case Organizing the negative case Listen, Attack, Rebuild Listen, Attack, Rebuild Negative introduction Negative introduction Refutation format Refutation format 8. Unit 8 - Debating Your Opinion Debate formats (we recommend three on three debates) Responding to attacks Rebuttal speeches Taking notes Debate delivery

Our Success

So, you don’t have the ideal situation Incorporating debate into the regular EFL classroom 1. Mini Debates 2. Four Corners 3. Talking Cards 4. Brainstorming 5. Reading Critically (newspapers) 6. Sharing Opinions - strong reasons 7. Merry-Go-Round

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

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

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

Useful Links… (full and detailed links and lessons about debates) (a great site with videos to use in the classroom for debate. ers.com/debate.php (full list of debate links and resources). ers.com/debate.php (pfizer debate competition videos)

Useful Links… bateanddiscussionlesson s.html bateanddiscussionlesson s.html te.htm te.htm eachers.com/debate.php eachers.com/debate.php debates/index.html

Adapted from a presentation by Mandy Manning & Tomoko Nakamura