Maria Cecilia Ferraro from Argentina
Her lesson plan is based on an episode of Talk About English. Students listen to and read some articles about the environment to prepare for, listen to and take part in a debate.

Download Maria's plan 68 K

Do you find debates are a useful classroom activity? Do you have any tips for arranging and managing a classroom debate?

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Catherine Gosheva, Russia
I think that debates in class are very useful. But we should remember that children of all age can be carried away with the discussion. It should be led by the teacher. THough it's good for developing communicative skills.

Rohal Kohyar, Pakistan
I think its a great thing to arrange debates especially in the middle and upper levels, for they do not have much to learn or what they have learned should be put in practice frequently. Though we should discuss such topics in which the learners have sufficient knowledge, so that they can negotiate and learn well.

kevan, Hong Kong
Debates allow users time to prepare their thoughts and ideas in advance which many students find useful.

Padma Kumar. V. Nair, India
Debates are very useful for the postgrduate students. It helps them to prepare the subject, collect more information about the topic than they will get from formal classes. The topic should be given to the students well in advance. The most important thing is arranging the students into different teams.

Behzad Asri, Iran
I am not a teacher nor an advanced student, but being in English classes for some 7 years has strongly convinced me that holding debates is not only of significant importance but also a must-do for any dedicated teacher considering students' improvement in speaking and comunication skills alike. Most importantly, For debates to be productive, teachers should bend over backwards to provide learners with such argumentative and contentious materials as pamphlets, articles and other useful resourses, thus avoding learners digressing from main subjects as well as going astray, and helping students develop logically and grammatically correct sentences.

Ankayarkanni. M
I encourage students to take part in debates so that they can improve their skills in language and to know each other's opinions.

Helen Koster, Netherlands
I teach at the College for Tourism and Leisure Management, which is a vocational education at intermediate level. My students learn to debate and discuss things in English because they need to do this later as well. Initially I am the Chairperson, later on one of the students will lead the debate. My third-year students don't need me as a teacher, I just coach.

Shatha Alsaadi, Iraq
DEBATES ARE USEFUL AS A CLASSROOM ACTIVITY. Before I embark on this activity, I ask my students to select group members that the like to share this debate for each lecture. Then they,the students, select a topicand they vote on the most interesting one from their view points. I ask one of the group leaders to write the chosen topic on the board and register the key words that belong to the discussed one.

Jagannath Pattnaik, India
Debates boost the communicative skills of our students. They help learners express their views more effectively and reasonably on different issues and problems. First motivate students to talk and divide the class into two groups. Encourage them to make arguments.

Prabha Muthukrishnan, India
Yes debates are quite useful classroom activity. The topics must be of interest to the students. It makes them quite active and excited. They think and express their views with ease. This improves their oral English.

Ana Paula
A debate is a great way of making students talk! Especially if we chose polemic topics, such as prejudice, marriage, religion, ethics, money etc. I always use this resource during my classes and we have great fun!

Bouchra Tangier, Morocco
Debating is one of the best techniques to enable students develop their speaking, listening and even writing abilities. Accordingly, students become more self-reliant, responsible for their own learning and get a very critical mind. Yet, to achieve this aim, teachers should provide students with the adequate debating techniques of arguementation and rebuttal.

Robbert, Netherlands
I think classroom debates can greatly enrich a lesson. The problem, in my opinion, is that it has to be done under strict supervision. In my experience, it can go wrong, if people talk before they are given a turn, meander about different subjects, or get into arguments. I would definitely experiment with this method.I think the best thing would be to talk about current events, trends or personal opinions.

Samira Fakhreddine, Morocco
For a debate to be successful, we have to choose topics which are motivating to students. I have always used classroom debate with my students and they like debating and agreeing or disagreeing with each other. This in fact makes them feel more responsible and active.

Geraldo de Caicó-RN, Brazil
I always have classroom debates. Debaling makes students feel free to express their ideas and we can improve our knowledge too. In this way the students and teachers learn a lot more.

Rachel Vendel, Netherlands
I think a debate in a classroom is definitly worthwhile! It gives pupils a chance to practice 'real' communication and to defend morals and personal values. The pupils learn to express themselves and learn to link nescesary vocabulary to the specific topic being discussed. An original and fun activity for you and your pupils to do in class!

Tom, The Netherlands
I think that classroom debates aren't something that should be done frequently. Mainly because if you increase the ammount of discussions in a certain period the effectivity of your lesson might suffer. If you choose the right subject (what moves the students whether they will be horrid or estatic about it) and you have a class that is open for it you can have a debate once in a while.

Iris, Netherlands
Debating in class can eb a usefull aid to have pupils develop skills in giving critique, argue and negotiate about meaning. I do think that as a teacher you should be able to guide your pupils to usefull production of English. Debating is the perfect way to go about that.

Antoinette, The Netherlands
It is very important to have classroom debates during your lesson. Just don't do it every day.

Anke, The Netherlands
It's a great way to find out about the pupil's interests and views.

Elleke, The Netherlands
I think classroom debates are quite important because the pupils interact with each other. By discussing things aloud they also improve their speaking English and learn form each other.

Vincent, The Netherlands
During classroom debates pupils can practice their newly acquired language in another context. They can also be a lot of fun and motivating for pupils if you pick the right subjects.

Maddie, Netherlands
I think debates are quite useful, but you need to structure them. Otherwise the debate can turn out to be a chaos.I think if you write down a few questions for yourself, you can manage the debate better.

Christien, The Netherlands
Debates are very important, I think. This way pupils will feel a great need to get their point across and thus are very motivated to speak English.

Pathi, India
I find debates useful by giving an opening for the students express their thoughts with the language and words they have learned recently.It helps in students assessing themselves and the teacher assessing their language and as well his success in making them learn. Further since there is a chance for winning over the other team there is an overt eagerness which is quite enjoyable to watch and experience.

Andreza, Brazil
I think classroom debates are very important because you learn more and improve your English. I always have classroom debates, it's a useful activity and a fun class .

Mostafa Mouhibe, Morocco
Debates are crucial elements in empowering and consolidating the learners' abilities to negotiate, critique,argue, comment, listen, and accept the differences in views and concepts. When I, as a teacher, engage my learners into the discussion of a certain topic, I try to make of them locally and internationally ready to give of themselves and of their cultures an image of a civic negotiator who represents the ethics of debating any issue. LEARNING CIRCLEs and FISH BOWLS might ideal methods to initiate students to manage debate.

George, Jordan
Debates are very useful in teaching and learning methods since it deals with subjects related to students' concerns and it also motivate them to work cooperatively.
*Teacher or students can suggest certain topics for disscussion.(through groups of four-five)
*Critical thinking and problem solving questions would be a valuable asset.
*Open and closed qestions between the teacher and the students.

Kuriakose M.O., Oman
Yes, I am the principal of Indian school, Nizwa we do conduct debates in Grade IX to XII We have coed here and hence I divide them into two groups. When they are divided on the basis of their gender they seem to be more involved. We give 10 minutes or so for their discussions and suggest names of speakers.A fter rebuttal we leave the floor open to others to join, contribute or criticize. If possible a role reversal is also tried.

Riamin, Indonesia
Learning is something interesting that should be done by our students. One of the ways to make it interesting is by doing debating. Debating makes students feel free to express their idea. They will feel that they have responsibility to defend their idea by giving many reasons so that their friends will be influenced by his/her idea. That's why debate makes class live. Thanx

Daifi, Indonesia
I think debates are very important for students becuse by doing it we can improve our knowledge and also it can improve our speaking ability. In doing debates we must mention the topic specifically.

Brigitte Baudet, France
Even though some English teachers in France are still reluctant to organise debates in the classroom_ because it is an activity we aren't really used to doing in any lesson in general _ I think we are really trying hard to build debate lessons. First of all because it's become part of the curriculum now . We need to assess the students' abilities in speaking English and interaction is a real part of it . Of course it's hard work trying to find how to organise the sessions especially with about 30 students in a class; but it's worth trying because the students feel the point of it .In our every day lives, debating is a usual activity and they realise it sounds more authentic .Of course it works better with smaller groups .What I try to do _ whenever I dare plan such a lesson ! _ is make sure every student has a task . I give them a role card which makes it easier to debate.They are not so self-concious because they represent somebody else , for example a father , a teacher, a ten-year old boy ....It's debating and acting at the same time.I feel I still have a long way to go before it works out well .But I do feel convinced debates are wondeful way to get our students to speak.

Deseree, Nederlands
My thoughts on debating is that it is a good way for students to practice stating facts and giving their own ideas and opinions on matters around the world.Topics that will always draw students interest are:Teenage pregnancy and how it affects their study.Mobile phone communication at school or in the work place should it be allowed.When setting up a debate session with students it is always best to have them choose their topics before hand for research so that they can build strong arguments, which will make for a lively discussion. Using topics that students take interest in will certainly get them thinking and talking.

Altun, Holland
Certainly, it is one of the main purposes of learning a language, being able to communicate with others,it is also the most interesting activity for the students.My students often work in groups of four or five, sometimes they are given a few arguments and they will discuss these, at other times I give them a situation ( e.g. organizing a festival ) and each of them chooses a role ( like citizen, mayor, police officer), they take a few minutes to prepare and then they will have this meeting after which they decide (whether this festival will take place or not.)

Asher, Pakistan
I find it quite stimulating because the students play active role in the process of learning otherwise they remain passive. But the teacher must maintain discipline in a large class at all costs. The discussion should be to the point and relevant to a large extent. Opportunities should be provided to the back-benchers also. In this way the students learn a lot more.

Jaisingh, India
This is one of the best methods of developing communicative ability. Thanks.

Manju, India
To a great extent it does help the students improve their speaking skills.Moreover they are given an opportunity to organise and sequence their ideas and put them into meaningful words and sentences.It becomes an effective tool in ELT classroom only when the teacher is capable enough to manage the class discipline.Students with leadership quality should be assigned the task to manage the debate programme.Depending upon the number of students,groups must be divided.Two main groups should be given the chance to debate on the topic verbally....rest should either be asked to listen and respond later;or they can be made to report on the debate programme in writing.

Alvin, Philippines
Indeed, debates are a creative means of eliciting insights from students. I suggest that students are given ample time to prepare before holding a debate in class such as announcing one week before the debate that they should research about a certain topic to be tackled in the upcoming debate.

Shaista, Pakistan
It is a useful activity.This procedure gives students confidence to speak or to say his/ her ideas,fluency in speekin power, encourage the students, remove the hisitance.Although it takes time but it gives more benifits to students. I have a suggetion for it; class divided in two groups and give them a topic to discusion, when one of them overlape the other gruop then this group dicuss this topic with class teacher and give them chance to say what they want to say. Give importance to students ideas. In last tell them their weekness and suggestions to improve it.

Hassania Alaoui, Morocco
Yes,I believe they are provided that the topic to be discussed meet the students' interest and need . Many are the purposes they serve ; among these students have an opportunity to share ideas, agree or disagree and , above all , express themselves freely , and of course learn from each other.As for me , I think the best way to do such an activity is by dividing students into groups of four or five in which each student has a chance to give his/her view and the leader of the group will transmit the final work to the other groups , who will agree or disagree giving the arguments that have been agreed upon.

Sunny, South Korea
For students over intermediate level, it's quite effetive. The key point is that studetns should be aware of the subject and background knowledge if necessary.

Hind Elkamoussy, Morocco
As far as I'm concerned this activity is very important for students. It creates a kind of development for thier English because they practise the language.

Zaina, Saudi Arabia
debates are so important to improve students language but unfortunately, my students find them difficult so i try my best to make the questions easy and need just short answers to avoid embarrassment and annoying slow and weak students

Alejandra Cabrera, Mexico
The first class, we talk about students interests and occupation. Everyday at the beginning of the class, I talk about a meaningful event and then, I give my opinion. fterwards, I assk for the students opinions and the debate starts.It is very useful because students have to say their opinion and when the debate is very interesting they need vocabulary. I write the vocabulary words on the blackboard. Those words are so meaningful for them that they never forget them.

Masoud Asadi, Iran
I do belive that it is significantly helpful for the student to take part in a debate in classroom. some of the students are affraid of talking in English. maybe it arises from their lack of self-confidence.when you ask the students to talk they need to overcome this panic and they also need to look for the words they've already learnt and to use them. and It's a good way of sending words into the long-time memory. most of my students pause often in the first sessions. but they can gradually get adapted with the situation and speak more fluently.I try to talk as little as possible and prefere to hear from the students by giving them just some hints.I just help them finding the word they're looking for.

Aida, Bosnia
I think debates are very useful in class,because students can improve their speaking.Important is that we set rules,students should take turns,listen to other students while they are talking,they also should feel free to talk without fear of making a mistake.

Chris, Nigeria
Debate is unarguably a useful classroom activitiy.It is one activity that is pupil centered.To use this, it is important to generate some rules governinig the debate- such rules should include;taking turns while speaking,learning to listen to others when speaking and penalising any group that flouts the rules.