Runner-up in the Best Lesson Plan Contest

Activity Title: Karl Popper/ British Parliamentary Debates
Level : Passages 1 Unit 7 The information age
Goals:
1-To develop fluency and grammar accuracy in real public speaking debates

2- to link linguistic patterns with critical reasoning, writing and argumentative thought

3- to think in English

4- to practice the four skills (reading, writing, speaking and listening) in advanced topics of American/British style debates

5- To build up self esteem and foreign language confidence by implementing this new technique of analytical discussion in class

Debate topic: What is your take on technology?

First Step: Students are provided with literature on the structure of American Karl Popper debate and British Parliamentary Debate. The teacher explains the beneficial aspects of their usage, the improvement of language skills as well as the public speaking skill, the wide use in prestigious international universities. (read the material at home)

Second step: Students prepare their topic by considering both sides of argumentation: in favor and against technology in our lives. They are recommended to search for arguments and facts on internet. Recommended to use correct grammar and enrich vocabulary, and transitional expressions to indicate their flow of reasoning. (at home)

Third Step: students will be divided in teams of three respectively for Karl Popper debate session in 20 minutes, each student is going to respect the floor and provide counter argumentation. (in class)

Fourth step : Teacher and peer’s evaluation and feedback on the most convincing debating team, the most fluent and best speaker of the debate, precise usage of grammar and colorful language.