ESL Debating / Discussion Club - Persuasive Speaking and Debate in English
Each week, we will learn a specific debating strategy or persuasive technique, applying this to structured activities and more open-ended debate around popular societal or scientific topics
Katie
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:(53)
What's included
1 live meeting
55 mins in-class hours per weekHomework
1 hour per week. Students will be provided with a PDF worksheet, which can be used to make notes during class as well as including a post-class homework activity (usually a short writing assignment). Note that no feedback is provided for this homework - it is instead intended to consolidate learning from class.Class Experience
US Grade 6 - 9
✅ Debate motion for week beginning 19th August: THB animal testing should be banned. 🎯 Debate skill: Using conjunctive adjectives to extend an argument. This debating club aims to open students’ eyes to different perspectives and ideas while developing debating and advanced topical discussion skills. Students will learn about different global challenges or trending topics as well as directly working on key debating techniques. In each session, we will learn new advanced English vocabulary relating to the topic, discuss initial thoughts, read and analyse different perspectives, learn a new debating technique, construct arguments, and end with an open-ended debate. Note that we do not follow a specific debate format, nor is this intended as preparation for competitive debates - instead, this is more of a structured, advanced discussion class. These classes include structured activities (using interactive lesson slides) along with plenty of opportunities for learners to share ideas and engage in open discussion within a small group format.
Learning Goals
Learn advanced English vocabulary (B2-C1 level) relevant to the topic.Develop persuasive and argumentative speaking skills.
Other Details
Learning Needs
This class is particularly suited to students with English as a second / additional language. There is some direct instruction of advanced / topical vocabulary and extended sentence structures for argumentation. All learners welcome!
Parental Guidance
Due to the nature of a debating class, we may touch upon potentially controversial issues such as vaccination or religious expression. All subjects will be approached from a non-biased and secular perspective, with students taught to respect others' opinions, analyse real evidence / statistics, and present arguments for both sides. Please note that I will not censor topics due to religious or discriminatory objections. Topics picked will be age-appropriate, and I am also open to learners suggesting topics for future classes.
Supply List
Students will be provided with a two-page PDF worksheet for each class. I recommend printing this before the class to use for taking notes. The second page contains an optional written homework task.
Teacher expertise and credentials
3 Teaching Certificates
Non-US Teaching Certificate in English to Speakers of Other Languages
Non-US Teaching Certificate in Foreign Language
Non-US Teaching Certificate in Science
2 Degrees
Master's Degree in Chemistry from University of Southampton
Bachelor's Degree in Science from University of Cambridge
I am a qualified teacher (PGCE + QTS) from the UK, with experience teaching debating in the school classroom and in extracurricular programs both in the UK and abroad (China and Japan). I also hold a TEFL certificate and have 10 years experience supporting students with English as a second language in a range of formal and informal contexts.Reviews
Live Group Class
$17
weekly1x per week
55 min
Completed by 5 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 11-15
2-6 learners per class
