1. Moderating Discussions and Debates for ESL Students “Speaking Club” Workshop: Purpose, Topics, Ideas By Peter Bohan, English Language Fellow (Armenia)

2. Foundational Considerations Who are the students? -Proficiency level? -Self-motivated What will you discuss? -Current affairs -Controversial issues When will it be offered? -Curriculum or optional? -Relaxed/informal setting Atmosphere of “Speaking Club?”

3. Why debate/discuss? Communicative class Authentic Materials “Real life” issues Critical Thinking Integrated Skills Build Confidence Motivating Topics Ielts/Toefl prepare A ‘break’ from curriculum

5. What? Discussion Materials Authentic/Interesting Topic Current Affairs Controversial topics Blogs/Editorials Advice columns Problem solving tasks Court cases Proverbs/Quotes Controversial topics

6. Got controversy? Legalizing drugs Death penalty Free speech limits Right to protest Marriage/Dating Gun Control Right to die Abortion Gays in Military Consumerism Technology Global warming/future

7. How? Leading in Topics Concept-->Get Attention/Interest Concept-->Activate personal experience Audio/video clip Read article Focused questions Brainstorm on board (pro/con)

8. Focus on Form? Theme ->Form->Methodology Hypothetical -->(conditionals) Stating opinion--> (lexical chunks) Context specific vocab--> (lexis) Predictions -->(future forms) Compare/Contrast-->(lexical chunks) Disagreement-->(lexical chunks)

9. Teacher as Moderator Learner Centered Context Introduce topic/question Pre-teach vocabulary? Moderate/Facilitate “Nudge”/ “Suggest” Focus discussion Focus on form Play “devil’s advocate”

10. Tasks/Student Roles Pair discussion Role play (pairs) Group (discussion) Groups (for/against) Groups (individual roles within the group)

11. Error Correction Considerations Overriding considerations Attitude towards error correction Fluency vs. accuracy Overt correction vs. Self-Editing On the spot vs. delayed feedback Feedback types Elicitation (gesture) Clarification request Peer editing Reformulation

12. Recapitulation: Approach Interesting/Relevant topic? Appropriate topic? Lead-in--> introduce/set up discussion Focus on form/Vocabulary? Communicative dynamic? Monitor students how? Outline a speaking club lesson plan)

13. Reflective Teaching Learner centered? Time management? Topic motivating? Level appropriate? Fluency vs. Form Integrated skills? Resource Bank