Kindly note:
This is an ESL friendly class, CEFR  level — C1, C2 (Advanced)
Please feel free to write me via Outschool email with questions.
****
Emma is the perfect introduction to the work of Jane Austen, one of the most acclaimed and beloved authors in the English language. 

A riotously funny comedy of manners interwoven with searing social commentary, Emma is Jane Austen at her best with her creation of the inimitable Emma Woodhouse,  a young woman  who "lived in the world with very little to vex or distress her."   The book is steeped with delicious irony as Emma embarks on a series of marital machinations for others which she aims to control but the path of love is unquestionably circuitous. The ten sessions of this class include an introductory session  to the work of Jane Austen and her historical  time period, as well aa a final celebratory 'Tea With Jane Austen".

Our multi-day class will focus on blending the acknowledged technique of Spar debating with understanding literature through debate and discussion.  Spar means “SPontaneous ARgumentation” a quicktime technique that is used to prepare students for formal debate.  Our class will use Spar debating to explore the key points involving Jane Austen's masterpiece, the frothy and intellectually nimble novel Emma. 

Spar Novel: Understanding Jane Austen's Emma Through Speech and Debate, a a follow up to my own series of Spar Lit Sr. classes, including Spar Lit Sr.: Understanding Great Essays Through Speech and Debate Techniques and Spar Lit Sr: Understanding Short Stories Through Speech and Debate. Spar Novel can be taken independently of either of the previous Spar Lit Sr. classes. 

The result?  Students will learn to take a position on key issues involving intriguing literary questions, while gaining a nuanced and thorough understanding both sides of every issue. All students will gain an enhanced exploration of literature while expanding debate techniques. 

Spar Debate questions will focus on the literary aspects of the novel and the Spar debates are evidence-based from the chapters themselves.  The 30 minute discussion at the beginning of each session, guided by me, will allow all students to engage in productive discussion. Guidance will be given as to the parameters of Spar debating which are evidence-based not guided by emotional responses.

This class has been purposely limited to six students to maximize the participation of every learner.  Prior to each weekly class the chosen essay will be posted along with the Spar debate questions for the week. 

Spar is quick debate! With debaters given the Pro or Con position, a short Spar debate can illuminate ideas and provide for more nuanced critical thinking. 

Each ongoing class will run as follows:

5 minutes of general introduction

30 minutes of interactive discussion on the chapter or pages set for the class

20 minutes of ongoing Spar pro/con debate involving key literary questions from the weekly reading

****
How does Spar debating work?

10 MINUTE MINI DEBATES!

Students face off in pairs to debate a Pro/Con question involving the specific reading from literature for the day.

COIN FLIP TO DETERMINE PRO/CON

1 minutes

Both students have 1 minutes to brainstorm ideas for their position (evidence/arguments)

1 minute
Pro student gives a 1 minute opening statement to make their case (Con student listens quietly and takes notes)

1 minute
Con student gives a 1 minute opening statement to make their case (Pro student listens quietly and take notes)

30 seconds
Both students think!

2 to 3 minutes
Mini crossfire discussion where both students can ask each other questions about opposing statements.

30 seconds
Both students think again to prepare their closing statements

30 seconds
Con student gives a 30 second closing statement (Pro student listens quietly)

30 seconds
Pro student gives a 30  closing statement (Con student listens quietly)

***
Ten Sessions Will Run As Follows

Week 1 The World of Jane Austen
Week 2 Chapters 1-6
Week 3 Chapters 7-12
Week 4 Chapters 13-19
Week 5 Chapters 20-26
Week 6 Chapters 27-33
Week 7 Chapters 34-40
Week 8 Chapters 41-47
Week 9 Chapters 48-55 (end)
Week 10 Tea with Jane Austen Event

***

No previous experience with speech and debate or Spar debating required, However, this class also provides an excellent outlet for speech and debate students interested in enhancing their ability to communicate their ideas with clarity and style that will be useful in classrooms and in ongoing discussions everywhere.