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15 Classroom and Online Debate and Discussion Language and Critical Thinking Activities

July  10th, 2020

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 set of images,  and/or  the right brainstorming format can help get debate and discussion topics moving and flowing smoothly.

1 Success or failure?

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.

Success or failure discussion vocabulary and speaking exercise.exercise

Success or failure (PDF)

Related Resources:

Icebreaker activities for “Success and failure” and “Taking risks”

Topical reading comprehension exercises

 Coronavirus language exercises

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2 Taking risks!

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.

Taking risks discussion vocabulary and speaking exercise.

Taking risks (PDF)

3 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.

Working from home vocabulary and brainstorm worksheet

Working from home (PDF)

4 Controversial  Topics

  This is a 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  

Click on the image below or the link to download the printable PDF file.

Controversial topics brainstorming worksheet for debate and discussion lessons.

Controversial topics (PDF)

 5 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. Click on the image below or the link to download the printable PDF file.

Global issues vocabulary and ranking activity for students.

Global issues (PDF)

6 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 online learning critical thinking exercise

Online vs offline learning (PDF)

7 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.

Brainstorming advantages disadvantages of living in the city for classroom debate and discussion activity.

Advantages/disadvantages of living in the city (PDF)

8 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.

Brainstorming advantages/disadvantages of studying abroad

Advantages/disadvantages of studying abroad (PDF)

9 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 discussion exercise.

Globalization vocabulary and questions (PDF)

10 Advantages/disadvantages of globalization (with answers)

  Students look at the pictures or use their own ideas to list the advantages and disadvantages of globalization. 

Brainstorming advantages disadvantages of globalization for classroom debate and discussion activity.

Advantages/disadvantages of globalization (PDF)

11 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 vocabulary & speaking worksheet (PDF)

DNA testing and discussion (PDF)

12 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.

Brainstorming the advantages and disadvantages of the internet and social trends

Personal opinions about the internet and social trends (PDF)

 13 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.

Rise of the robots technology brainstorming and writing worksheet.

Rise of the robots (PDF)

 Classroom worksheet for brainstorming the benefits of robotics and automation
Brainstorm disadvantages of automated devices and robots

 14 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.

Brainstorming advantages disadvantages of working for a big company for classroom debate and discussion activity.

Advantages and disadvantages of working for a big company (PDF)

 15 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.

Brainstorming advantages disadvantages of starting a small business for classroom debate and discussion activity.

Advantages and disadvantages of starting a small business (PDF)

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