This girl is showing a very interesting debate with herself. But... what is a debate? Why do you think learning debating skills are important? Which competences do you use and improve when you are debating?
In this task, your group will prepare a real debate to show in class... Who will be the winners?
Objectives
-You will think about the cons and pros of relevant (and most of times controversial) issues, and learn to look for information to support your arguments.
-You will learn to express your opinion using different expressions in a polite way and respecting the turn and the opinion of your opponent.
Contents
- Concepts
- Vocabulary: Basic terms on debate; expressing opinions.
- Grammar; Mixed tenses review, modal verbs.
- Procedures
- Reading: articles/information about chosen issue
- Listening: A sample debate
- Writing: Debate evidence cards
- Speaking: Group debate on chosen issue
- Attitudes
- Interest on communicating in English inside the classroom
- Cooperative Work with team mates.
Resources:
- A classroom desktop + projector
- Wifi
- A tablet / laptop in each group. Mobile phones can also be used to search information.
- A copy of the Team Journal for each group.
- Dictionary (online also possible)
Day 1
Level 1: Searching for information 1
- Team work: Before we start, it is important to know the meaning of some terms used in debates. Look for the definition of the following words: debate, resolution, moot point, affirmative team, negative team, rebuttal, judge (n.), evidence card. You can use dictionaries to help you, but you have to write them using your own words on you Team Journal Chart 1.
- Team work: It is also essential to learn about the structure of a debate. The simplest I found is this one. Make sure you understand what each speaker has to do and copy their functions on your Team Journal Chart 2.
- Team work: Here you'll find a wide range of expressions used in debates. Make a selection of the 15 most useful ones (the ones you think you will probably use at the debate) and translate them into Spanish. Copy both the English expressions and the Spanish translations on your Team Journal Chart 3.
Day 2
Level 1: Searching for information 2
- Class work: We are going to do a brainstorming of interesting issues you would like to debate about. If needed, we can get inspiration here. Each group will have to choose the moot point they like most. Moot points cannot be repeated.
- Team work: Now you have to assign the roles: Affirmative 1st. speaker, Negative 1st. speaker, Affirmative 2nd. speaker... and so on. In case there are 5 members, one of the Negative speakers will have to repeat a turn, but this second one can be read instead of spoken. With the information complete your Team Journal Chart 4.
- Team work: Last day you learnt what is an evidence card. Unfortunately, you cannot use them on your debate. So to help you show your evidence, create a presentation in Drive, title it as your moot point and share it with your teacher and all your team members.
- Team work: Now it's time to prepare your debate scheme. Think about pros and cons, use the internet to help you if necessary and complete your Team Journal Chart 5. Use short sentences, just to guide you with the idea.
Day 3
Levels 2 and 3: Organizing and Analysing information
- Team work: Have a look at your debate scheme. Now you have to find evidence for each of your arguments and rebuttals. You can use articles, graphics, videos, images... They have to include serious, proved information. Include everything (links, pictures, screen shots...) on your Drive presentation, in the order you are going to expose it. The more and the stronger evidence, the better!
Day 4
Level 4: Making conclusions
- Team and individual work: Now that you have your debate expressions, scheme and evidence, it's time to prepare your debate in depth. Think about what you are going to say and how you are going to say it. You can write down some notes but remember, during the oral presentation you can only use your Drive presentation. The lenght of the debate should be between 6 and 10 minutes.
Day 5
Level 5: Presentation
- Team work: You will have to share your debate (using the presentation you have created throughout this task) with the rest of your class.
- Team work: You will have to assess your classmates' work using the template on your Team Journal.
Day 6
Level 5: Presentation
- As in Day 5.
Level 6: Assessment
- Team work: Complete the Group Assessment Chart.
- Team work: Complete the Task Assessment Chart.
