Job Discussion Forums

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Just curious, for those of you who have taught any sort of debating classes for the high school age students, what topics did you use with success? I'm interested in short-term drills as well as long-term productions.

Thanks in advance.

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

Football!!!!! Glenski I guess culture will have alot to do with the success of a debate. I mean I had success with a debate about Abdullah Ocalan and wether he should have got the death penalty. I am guessing that wouldn't work too well in Japan.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

52 reads in two days and only ONE response?

Kent F. Kruhoeffer · Joined: 22 Jan 2003 Posts: 2129 Location: 中国

Konichiwa Glenski-san

The link below looks pretty decent as a starter.

In addition to providing a few interesting topics, you'll also find

some useful teaching content & tips within the navigation box:

1. Some Debate Rules
2. How to Agree and Disagree
3. Advice on Debating with Others

http://www.paulnoll.com/China/Teach/English-debate.html

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

I appreciate the responses so far, but I have to bump this up to the top. C'mon, people. 118 readers and only two of you have any suggestions?

I find it hard to believe that nobody teaches debating over the globe.

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

When I was at school we had a debating society. Usually the guest speakers were local stuffy politicians. Maybe others had the same experience and it is now out of fashion.

'Debating as an art form belongs in the past'?

Just out of interest why and with who do you want to use debates? A university I once worked used debating. Students had to hand in a portfolio at the end of term and in this they could include the grades they had received for their oral performance in a debate, very few did.

PS do you know a book called Taboos and Issues, MacAndrew and Martinez, LTP? A good introduction for a debate topics.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

dmb,
I have a projects class for 3rd year high school students (seniors, to those of you who aren't familiar with that terminology). Half of our class this year is devoted to teaching them how to debate in English.

I've developed quite a bit of the course already. Some of it is still finding its way onto the drawing board. What comes as a huge chore is creating topics suitable for debating. Their level of English is still abominably abyssmal, but their maturity is above that of debating childish topics. So, it is a real chore to find suitable things that they WANT to debate vs. what they CAN debate without a lot of dictionary work.

Not familiar with that book offhand. Will look into it, although there really isn't enough time for me to order any reference books anymore. Hence, coming here for a "quick fix".

Thanks.

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

this is the book
http://www.eslgold.com/site.jsp?resource=pag_ex_resources_links_res_games_tab_iss
However as you see from the contents , maybe not suitable for high school.

valley_girl · Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2005 1:58 am Post subject:

I occasionally use debating exercise