How to organize a debate?
---by Chen Yunxiang from Class A
Nowadays, it is a common practice for teachers to organize a debate among their students, as a debate can not only stimulate students to collect as many data as possible on a topic from different sources by reading extensively, but also involve a lot of collaborative work, which makes it possible for every member to share opinions and enhance better understanding of the specified topic. Evidence shows that students may benefit a lot from practicing debating and that those who are active in their debating work have better learning competence in language. But what are the crucial factors to ensure a successful debate?
Firstly, make sure that the topic provided for debating is workable. This means that the topic must be arguable and possible for students of both sides to find sufficient evidence or argument to support their standpoints. Otherwise the debate may end up with one side predominantly overwhelming the other. Secondly, the debating procedures and rules should be clarified to the debaters beforehand and some interpretation may be needed to help thorough understanding, which can build up the students’ confidence in their later presentation. Thirdly, teachers should always keep the students’ preparation on the right track and provide necessary instructions, which is of great importance in guaranteeing the quality of the would-be debate. The teacher’s concern will surely encourage students to do their job better and offer chances for students to consult with the teachers. Fourthly, it’s also essential to train the host in advance. As a host can play the role of a decider, a time-keeper and a facilitator, he or she should be familiar with not only the debating topic but also the debating rules. Only in this way can he or she host the debate smoothly. Fifthly, some post-debate tasks should be assigned so as to involve the audience in the debate. Encouraged to be good listeners, students may be chosen randomly from groups to be judges to give comments on the debate and decide which side is the winner or who is the best debater, with such follow-up written work as a summary, comment or a topic-related composition, which can greatly motivate students to take notes and develop critical thinking as well.
In a word, to organize a successful debate needs well-designed work from both the organizer--- the teacher and the practicers---students.