A time to reflect and look forward

We need to stop for a moment and reflect over what we have done.
If we base our reflection on the 4 language skills we can see the following:

Reading

•  Literary texts (text book and classic novel etc)
• General interest texts (text book)
• Non-fiction texts (internet)

Listening

• TED Talk
• Text book
• Internet

Speaking

• Role plays
• Ice breaker
• Discussions

Writing

• Reflections
• Text analysis
• Comprehension questions
• letter writing (informal)

Other skills/areas

• Vocabulary building (word lists /corrections)
• Grammar/syntax (corrections)

I have now caught up with all corrections. The question is how many items have you sent in? Learning a language is a continual process which needs effort.

Today we look at debating.
A debate in the sense I mean is not like you see on the TV when Reinfeldt and Lowén are battling it out.

We can look together at a good website which can help us.

A debate in this sense requires teamwork and preparation.

We will look at a clip from "The Great Debaters"- a biographical film from 2007 which really gives insights into the art of debating.

How can we tackle this in class?

If we look at the texts we studied last week several debating topic emerge.

Here are three proposals:

1. This house believes that war can be justified
2. This house believes that women are the weaker sex
3. This house believes that western lifestyle is morally bankrupt

We will now divide you into 6 groups
three for the proposals and three against.

You will have time to prepare your arguments and then be given an opportunity to briefly "meet" and present them for each other.

We will not follow the procedures of a "proper" debate as formulated by Karl Popper but at least give you the opportunity to present something in small groups.

The register of English should be neutral-formal.

What we do today can be the basis of a proper debate later on in the course.