One-Time: Debate This, Debate That - Interactive Class I

Update: For those students who have shown they understand the debate process, a new ongoing class Debate This, Debate That - Interactive Class II and Debate This, Debate That - Interactive Class III have been created to enhance those students abilities. By having an ongoing class, the students will be with students they are familiar with every week, thus, creating a more comfortable and ease of debate system. 

Students will learn to give persuasive arguments for and against a specific topic. Students will form pairs or small groups (will be determined based on the number of students enrolled in the class).

There will be a time allotted for the small groups to get together and form their stance on the main topic for the debate. The teacher will call out a topic (e.g. ‘Cats are better than dogs’) and ask students to pick to the side (cats or dogs) that corresponds to their belief. Anyone who is unsure should remain neutral. Once students have chosen a side, the teacher will ask them to explain why they have chosen that side. The students will have to discuss this with others standing near them before feeding back to the whole class. Students who are neutral can also explain why they have taken that position, or act as “judges”, moving once they have been persuaded by either side. 

Then, the students will be ready to argue their point of view. For example: the first debate: Where do you stand?

The teacher will allocate the breakout rooms for those students “cats” side and another breakout room as the “dogs” side. 

Once students have chosen a side, they will explain why they have chosen that side. The students will be required to persuade why their chosen animal is the best animal. In addition, the students should have arguments against the opposite topic. For example, for those students who have chosen "dogs" are the superior animal, should have some ideas why "cats" are not superior for an effective argument. Students who are neutral can also explain why they have taken that position, or act as “judges”, moving once they have been persuaded by either side. 

No topic will be political, religious, or result in any major controversial topics. This class is designed to be lighthearted and fun.