Some suggestions on how to start debating in class (French schools)

1. Debating in classroom
Why ?

6. All UK universities have a debating club
99% of sixth form colleges
Most High schools also

7. Debating is a competitive sport....
There are school competitions
Regional school finalists
National competitions

8. English speaking Union
School finalists
http://vimeo.com/63666157

10. A tradition not just in the UK …
But shared by many English speaking countries
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Kvbenn76Bk

11. What can our pupils
learn from debating ?

12. 
Public speaking

13. Public speaking

Research skills


14. Public speaking

Research skills

Organisation and prioritizing skills


15. Public speaking

Research skills

Organisation and prioritizing skills

Thinking skills (critical thinking,
Higher order thinking skills)


16. Public speaking

Research skills

Organisation and prioritizing skills

Thinking skills (critical thinking,
Higher order thinking skills)

Work as a group- with the weaker
members too


17. Public speaking

Research skills

Organisation and prioritizing skills

Thinking skills (critical thinking,
Higher order thinking skills)

Work as a group- with the weaker
members too

Learn to listen


18. What about the official texts ?
Expression orale en continu

L'entraînement à l'expression orale en continu
a une place importante au lycée. En fonction du
projet pédagogique et de la nature des tâches,
il convient de multiplier les occasions de donner
la parole à l’élève pour raconter, décrire,
expliquer ou argumenter.

19. Le professeur prend soin de bien distinguer entre
le code de l'oral et celui de l'écrit pour que l'oral
de l'élève ne se réduise pas à un écrit oralisé.

20. en utilisant les mots de liaison les plus courants
entre phrases.

21. But I can't do this in my class because
…...

22. I'm not an expert

It looks difficult to organise

Their English is really bad

I've got 33 of them

They never listen when someone speaks in
class

It will take too long

Only 2 or 3 pupils will speak

I couldn't assess it …

I've only got 2 hours a week....


23. Main problems

Organisation and planning

24. When is the right moment for a debate ?

25. At what moment during your « séquences » ?

26. What do your pupils need to succeed ?

27. The Organisation and the Rules

28. Debating is a team sport so …
You need 2 teams

29. You need a subject or a statement.
The best statements are provocative
or controversial.
They make you want to argue !

30. How is a traditional debate organised?

31. Phase 1

Team A present their arguments

Team B listen and take notes
Phase 2

Team B present their arguments

Team B listen and take notes
Rebuttal

Team A attack Team B's arguments

Team B attack Team A's arguments
The vote – a winnng team is declared

32. So what roles for which pupils ?
2 Teams
A jury (who will vote and explain why)
Point scorers (more later on this)

33. How to avoid a catastrophe
Before you start make sure

You have covered the topic in class!

The pupils understand the rules.

And most importantly …...

34. Getting ready time ….
Each team must have time to prepare their
arguments together.
This can be homework but you must give them
time in class face to face.
They can also imagine their opponents'
arguments.

35. http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/inter
actives/persuasion_map/

36. Pre-debate
Think - Share - Pair – Debate

Students think on their own for 5-10 mins

then in a pair develop and share arguments

then add another pair etc until you have 8+
students sharing ideas.

37. Useful rules to add



Every person must speak (however small their
contribution is.
Link word incentive ! Extra points can be
awarded if link words are used (suggestion:have
ppt projected on wall )
Maximum time limits for each team

38. Every time a word is used a point is scored
(so you need point scorers..)
Contrast
Connect
Plus
Important !
However
On the
contrary
Therefore
What's more
Remember
Also
In addition
Don't forget
On the other
hand
So
Firstly
What's more
But ...
Secondly
Thirdly

39. You need a subject or a statement.
The best statements are provocative
or controversial.
They make you want to argue !

40. Scientists should be allowed to use animals
to test new medicines.
Young people under 18 should be able to make
their own decisions about whether to get a body
piercing or tattoo.
We should stop eating meat now.

41. What about your projects in class ?
What debating topics can we find ?

42. And after the debate ?

43. The jury vote
A winner is declared
The jury explains why the the team won

remember to tell the jury what they must look for
before the debate starts)

Possible items for the jury to look for ?

44. What next ?
Follow up activities ?

45. essay plan (with at least X arguments)

mindmap

summary in X words

essay writing

These can be done individually or in pairs
More ideas ?

46. Alternative debating ideas

47. Less formal – more guided
A balloon debate
NASA toolbox debate
A mock trail
Speed debating
Chat show or TV interview
Hot seat
A mock town meeting

48. Yes this is all very well - but my class is
soooooo weak, they can barely say Hi !
You need a boxing ring debate !

49. I work in Collège this is impossible …

50. Adapt the subjects
Adapt the format
Adapt the rules
Don't be too demanding!
Give more help (scaffolding needed)

51. Debates in British Primary schools
To encourage thinking and speaking skills
Is a sheep a good pet ?

52. Debates in British Primary schools
To encourage thinking and speaking skills
Is a sheep a good pet ?
YES
They are soft
They are fun
They are nice
to sleep on
NO
They are too
big
They are noisy
They eat too
much
They're my size
They're cute
They are smelly
They are easy
to hold
They are messy

53. Debate on this ….
Should the hunter kill the wolf ?
Should Little Red Riding Hood be punished by her
mum ?
Should Cinderella marry a man who is only
interested in her shoe size ?
Why are the ugly sisters horrible?

54. Social bookmarking !
http://www.diigo.com/
http://delicious.com/