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18 Classroom and Online Debate and Discussion Language and Critical Thinking Activities
Introducing a topic in the classroom can be one of the trickiest tasks for a teacher. Sometimes, it can take a a lot of experience and a lot of practice to get the icebreaker, or warm-up, or introduction to a topic just right. However, when you do get it right, you usually know that you have got it right forever and you can slide right into that topic effortlessly. The right set of vocabulary, the right listening activity, the right set of images, and/or the right brainstorming format can help get debate and discussion topics moving and flowing smoothly.
1 Fears and phobias
Everyone has fears and phobias. So this is a good topic for English language learners. It’s also useful for students to learn the different words used for talking about fears and phobias.
Vocabulary/listening
Vocabulary/speaking
2 Making decisions
This is a listening/speaking exercise exploring the language used when making decisions and choices.
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3 Controversial topics
This is a brainstorming/ listening/ critical thinking discussion worksheet for talking about controversial topics. Students need to decide whether they are pro or con each issue and support their position with three reasons. Then they can listen to the audio and compare answers.
(see the video version on YouTube)
4 Advantages/disadvantages of watching TV (with audio and script)
Students look at the pictures or use their own ideas to list the advantages and disadvantages of watching TV. Then they can listen to the audio and add to their answers.
Advantages/disadvantages of watching TV (PDF)
5 Success or failure? (with audio and answers)
I have noticed over the years that students struggle with the words “success” and “failure” and their various forms. They struggle with the pronunciation (hmmm.. “success” vs “succeed” ,“fail” not “fell”! – and “failure” pronounced as “failyer”) and the grammar. But success and failure is a fantastic stand-alone topic for a class. It’s great for brainstorming, discussions and much more.
Resources
Listening/speaking exercises for the latest technological advances
6 present perfect grammar, speaking and listening Exercises
Icebreaker activities for “Success and failure” and “Taking risks”
Topical reading comprehension exercises
Coronavirus language exercises
6 Taking risks (with audio and answers)
The pronunciation of the word “risk” is another word that many English as a Second Language students find difficult to pronounce. They have trouble with the ending sounds and also the past tense form (“risked” pronounced as “riskt”). But like success and failure it’s a fantastic stand-alone classroom discussion topic. In fact, these two topics are really quite complementary. They are ways we talk about work and living.
7 Working from home vocabulary and brainstorm
“Working from home” is a great topic for English language classes. In the current circumstances nearly everyone has some experience of working from home. So it’s a great discussion topic, and it could also used for classes involving giving opinions, making comparisons (home vs office), teaching argumentative writing or discussing technological change. It also has its own fairly specific set of vocabulary.
8 Global issues vocabulary (with answers)
This is an English language exercise introducing and exploring the language and vocabulary of global issues. Students try to match the vocabulary with the appropriate pictures. They then rank the issues1-10 in order of importance.
9 Brainstorming offline learning vs online learning (with answers)
This is an exercise for discussing the advantages/disadvantages of online learning and offline learning . Students look at the pictures and then try to write down as many ideas as they can on the second page of the PDF.
Online vs offline learning (PDF)
10 Advantages/disadvantages of living in the city
Students look at the pictures or use their own ideas to list the advantages and disadvantages of living in the city.
Advantages/disadvantages of living in the city (PDF)
11 Advantages/disadvantages of studying abroad (with answers)
Students look at the pictures or use their own ideas to list the advantages and disadvantages of studying abroad.
Advantages/disadvantages of studying abroad (PDF)
12 Globalization vocabulary and questions
Globalization is a topic for a more worldly class capable of talking about some complex issues. This probably won’t suit everyone but for the right class it might be a good icebreaker and intro into a really interesting topic.
Globalization vocabulary and questions (PDF)
13 Advantages/disadvantages of globalization (with answers)
Students look at the pictures or use their own ideas to list the advantages and disadvantages of globalization.
Advantages/disadvantages of globalization (PDF)
14 DNA testing – vocabulary and speaking worksheet
This English language academic vocabulary and speaking worksheet can be used to introduce the topic and vocabulary of DNA testing Students match the vocabulary to the appropriate pictures then try to answer the questions at the bottom.
DNA testing and discussion (PDF)
15 Personal opinions about the internet and social trends
An English language speaking worksheet for generating discussion about the internet and social trends. Students write the benefits/disadvantages of each issue on the worksheet.
Personal opinions about the internet and social trends (PDF)
16 Advantages/disadvantages of working for a big company (with answers)
This is a business English ESL exercise to help students discuss the advantages and disadvantages of working for a big company.
Advantages and disadvantages of working for a big company (PDF)
17 Advantages/disadvantages of starting a small business (with answers)
This is a business English ESL exercise to help students discuss the advantages and disadvantages of starting a small business.
Advantages and disadvantages of starting a small business (PDF)
18 Rise of the robots and automation brainstorming and discussion worksheet (with answers)
This is an exercise to explore the vocabulary and language used to talk about new technology and encourage discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of robots and automation.
Adantanges of automation (PDF)
Disadvantages of automation (PDF)
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Passive voice listening/speaking Exercises
Personality listening/speaking activities
Environmental issues listening/speaking
Health vocabulary and speaking listening exercises
Great materials! Thank you so much! I’ve just accepted an ESL position mid-semester. Yikes! No plan going forward. This helps tremendously with my need to teach essay writing.
No problem. Yes. I find worksheets with pictures are great icebreakers and a great way to start a class.
Regards, Peter
Outstanding activities! I will use these at the high school level!
It great
Thanks. I appreciate the feedback.
Thanks. Very useful and interesting activities!
Thanks so much,
These are great for my Year 8 EAL class 🙂
Really glad to hear that.
THANKS A LOT! VERY CREATIVE ACTIVITIES!
Thank you! Really Nice!
Thankyou so much
Great!Thanks a lot!
Olga
Thanks so much for the comments. Just in the process of adding audio to most exercises. Hope it’s useful!
Thank you! Really Nice!
Can I have the audio and script? That would be really helpful. Thank you!