Note taking Skills: Debate will help students to become a better note taker. Since the debates may last an
hour or more, students will need to write down what the other team says, what their partner says, and even what
they want to say. Students will be surprised how their memory will improve at the same time.
Organizing Skills: Debate will help students to become a better organizer. Because each of their debates
will involve many ideas, students must be able to organize debate so that the audience understands students‘
arguments and how each one fits into the debate.
Teamwork and People Skills: An additional benefit of getting involved is building friendships with
teammates who enjoy similar interests. Debate will teach students teamwork and people skills because they must
work and think as a team in order to succeed. They will have to work with a partner, coach, and other teammates,
sharing information and developing strategies. As they develop their speaking skills, students will also develop
their people skills, so they will be able to talk to others with ease. Sometimes debate partners become friends for
life. Even competing debaters from other country can become friends.
Researching Skills: Debate will help students to become a better researcher. To be successful in debate,
they need to understand both sides of an issue and support their position with evidence. Students will learn how to
use traditional libraries and electronic resources to find the information they need. They will also learn how to
evaluate material and organize it efficiently.
Writing Skills: Debate will help students to become a better writer. Once they complete their research,
they must be able to write speeches, or briefs, short organized arguments that help them to understand and explain
their viewpoint.
Listening Skills: Debate will help students to become a better listener. It helps them get better grades and
learn faster. When members of the other team are speaking, students must listen to what others say so that
students can respond. In many debates students will have a partner. They will also have to listen to him or her
carefully in order to advance their side. They will become a critical listener, which means that they will think
about what is being said.
Fun: Nothing gets students more motivated to speak English than by having the opportunity to debate
with their peers. Holding a classroom debate is a magnificent way for students to practice spontaneous speech.
Although debating is a great educational opportunity, people debate because it‘s interesting. The vast majority of
the tens of thousands of students who compete in debate tournaments each year will tell that it‘s fun. For every
person, the experience is a little different, but generally the thrill of competition, the camaraderie of teammates
and the travel opportunities make debate fun.
Here are some keys to successful classroom debates.
1. Debates will be much more successful and interesting for everyone involved if the participants are
interested and passionate about their controversial topic. As a whole class, brainstorm potential debate
topics that are suitable for the class, and try to narrow it down to a list of six or seven topics.
Have students rank their top five preferences and indicate their position (Pro or Con). Collect the
students‘ preferences, and try to match students according to their top five choices. More often than not, it will
work out to give each student one of their top picks and still have enough students on each side.
Though it is sometimes necessary to create discussion over supplied curriculum topics, using
controversial issues in the classroom allows a natural and emotional pathway to conversation. If you are sensitive
to your students‘ opinions and aware of their feelings, tough to tackle topics just might provide the best lessons all
year.
Example controversial topics:
Using animals in medical research helps people
Gay marriages are wrong
Women will never be equal to men in the workplace
You can‘t have a happy family life and a successful career at the same time
Marriage is outdated
The death penalty is acceptable in some cases
Foreigners shouldn‘t be allowed to vote
Celebrities earn too much money
Military service should be obligatory
War is never an option for solving international disputes
Torture can be acceptable in some cases
Curfews keep teens out of trouble
We are becoming too dependent on computers
Committing suicide should be made legal
A man should have a wife for the family and a mistress for pleasure
Soft drugs should be legalized.
Those who can - do, those who can‘t – teach
You will be happier if you stay unmarried
Software piracy is not really a crime
We do not really need religion
2. You should introduce the debate topic with enough time in advance to motivate your students to be
excited about the debate. Play some games in the classes leading up to the debate, and allow the competing teams
to play against each other to build rivalry.
Give students a few days to work together to conduct research and an outline. Ensure that students meet
together as groups and are organized when it is their turn to debate (who‘s speaking first, second, third, etc…).
3. Debates are great ways to get students to include useful pragmatic language for disagreeing with others,
expressing their opinions, and negotiate turn-taking roles for who gets to speak next. Useful transition words to
teach include: In my opinion… I understand; however… With all due respect... May I interrupt? and Please let me
finish. These phrases should be taught and practiced in class activities before the debate, such as in role plays.
4. While two teams are debating, what do you do with the remaining students in the audience? To keep
these students active and engaged, involve them in the evaluation process. Create a rubric ahead of time that
students can fill out as they listen to the debate. Have the audience rate the speakers, critique their ideas, and
decide on the winner. Asking each student to write down one question based on the debater‘s comments will also
help to keep them feeling included in this class exercise.
When done properly, debates foster a great classroom environment by encouraging teamwork and
friendly competition.
Lesson plan. The necessity of Grammar.
Debates in class can help English learners practice a wide range of functions including agreeing and
disagreeing, negotiating, collaboration with other students, and so on. Often students need help with ideas and
that's where this lesson plan can help. Below you will find arguments to the discussion concerning whether a keen
grasp of English grammar is necessary to speak the language well.
This lesson plan is based on the idea that having students support opinions that are not necessarily their
own during debates can help improve students‘ fluency.
Of course, once students have become confident in their production skills, they can obviously argue the
point they truly believe in.
Aim: Improve conversational skills when supporting a point of view
Activity: Debate concerning the necessity of concentrating on grammar when learning English.
Level: Intermediate
Outline:
Review language used when expressing opinions, disagreeing, making comments on other person's point
of view, etc.
Lead a short discussion asking the student's opinion on what they consider to be the most important
aspects of learning English well.
Ask students to consider the following statement: The most important ingredient of learning English is
Grammar. Playing games, discussing problems, and having a good time is important. However, if we don't focus
on grammar it is all a waste of time.
Based on students' responses, divide groups up into two groups. One group arguing for the prime
importance of learning grammar, one group for the idea that learning just grammar doesn't mean that you are able
to use English effectively. Important: Make sure that groups are put into the group with the opposite opinion of
what they seemed to believe in the warm-up conversation.
Give students worksheets including ideas Pro and Con. Have students develop arguments using the ideas
on the worksheet as a springboard for further ideas and discussion.
Once students have prepared their opening arguments, begin with the debate. Each team has 5 minutes to
present their principal ideas.
Have students prepare notes and make rebuttal to the expressed opinions.
While the debate is in progress, take notes on common errors made by the students.
At the end of debate, take time for a short focus on common mistakes. This is important, as students
should not be too involved emotionally and therefore will be quite capable of recognizing language problems - as
opposed to problems in beliefs!
Below you will find phrases and language helpful in expressing opinions, offering explanations and
disagreeing.
Opinions, Preferences:
I think..., In my opinion..., I'd like to..., I'd rather..., I'd prefer..., The way I see it..., As far as I'm
concerned..., If it were up to me..., I suppose..., I suspect that..., I'm pretty sure that..., It is fairly certain that..., I'm
convinced that..., I honestly feel that, I strongly believe that..., Without a doubt,...,
Disagreeing:
I don't think that..., Don't you think it would be better..., I don't agree, I'd prefer..., Shouldn't we consider...,
But what about..., I'm afraid I don't agree..., Frankly, I doubt if..., Let's face it, The truth of the matter is..., The
problem with your point of view is that...
Giving Reasons and offering explanations: To start with, The reason why..., That's why..., For this
reason..., That's the reason why..., Many people think...., Considering..., Allowing for the fact that..., When you
consider that...
For the Importance of Focusing on Grammar
Without grammar, language doesn't exist.
How can I feel confident about using grammar if I don't understand the rules?
A solid knowledge of all the rules is necessary to speak a language well.
The best way to learn a language is practice, practice, practice the correct usage.
Good English means correct English.
Games do not promote learning, they promote having fun and nothing else.
Making mistakes reflect poor learning.
If we don't learn the rules we will not be able to improve our English when we are not attending English
classes.
Communication Means More than Understanding Rules
Communication is possible even when we make mistakes
Understanding rules in my head doesn't mean that I can communicate.
There are many different styles of learning, some of which do not include "grammar banging".
The only thing that is important is that people can understand me and I can understand them.
Many native speakers make mistakes in grammar usage.
Doing grammar exercises all the time is boring and therefore leads to lack of attention.
Playing games is a great way to actually use the language - not just study it.
It is difficult to become fluent if the teacher interrupts me every 30 seconds to correct a grammar mistake.
Grammar is boring!
The number of young learners of English is growing rapidly, with publication of course books to match.
The theoretical debate taking place alongside this expansion has been less dramatic, with ideas from primary
education being put together with communicative language teaching methodology to produce a hybrid and
somewhat ad hoc framework for the teaching of young learners (those under 14 years).
The most effective way to speak in English fluently is debating. People debate for many reasons: to have
fun, to take advantage of a great educational opportunity, and to learn effective English language skills. Debate
develops a variety of skills, including note taking, organization, research, writing, listening, teamwork, public
speaking skills, and critical thinking.
Debates help reach multiple classroom objectives: they not only practice speaking and listening skills, but
also motivate students, develop their argumentation strategies, and encourage learner autonomy. After the arguing
is finished, everyone has improved their English! Many of this nation‘s top lawyers, business executives, doctors,
engineers, and elected leaders were involved in high school debate, and for good reason. Simply put, debate-
related skills help one get ahead and stay there. The power to persuade is highly respected and there is no better
way to master this art than through debate.
A list of used literature:
1.
G.Rybold. Speaking, listening and understanding: debate for non-native-English speakers, IDEBATE Press,
2006
2.
R.Trapp, J. P.Zompetti, J.Motiejunaite, W.Driscoll. Discovering the world through debate, IDEA Press
Books, 2005
3.
http://southwest.mpls.k12.mn.us/what_are_the_benefits_of_debate
4.
http://busyteacher.org/10319-learning-through-arguing-the-keys-to-successful.html
5.
http://esl.about.com/od/modernteachingtechniques/a/teaching_english_conversation_skills.htm
Аннотация. Бҧл мақала шет тілінде сӛйлеу қабілетін жетіктіру мақсатында ағылшын тілінде
пікірсайыс тәсілін сабақта қолдану туралы. Пікірсайыс тек сӛйлеу қабілетін жақсартудан басқа бірқатар
пайдалы қасиеттерді дамытатындығы кӛрсетілген. Сабақта қолданылатын пікірсайысқа арналған
тақырыптар келтірілген. Қорытындысында пікірсайыстың маңызы кӛрсетілген.
Аннотация. Данная статья посвящена эффективности использования дебатов на уроках английского
языка. В статье приведены многочисленные аргументы о практической ценности дебатов для изучающих
английский язык, например, развитие письма, говорения, слушания, критического мышления, проявления
организаторских способностей, умение публично выступать на английском языке. Дан план урока для
проведения урока-дебатов в классе. В заключении говорится, что использование дебатов это эффективный
способ изучения английского языка, в частности, говорения на английском языке.
802
М87
STRATEGIES FOR CROSS-CULTURAL COMMUNICATION.
Munatayeva E.M.
Taraz State Pedagogical Institute, Taraz city.
What is cross-cultural communication?
Cross-cultural communication in its most basic form refers to an academic field of study and research. It
seeks to understand how people from different countries and cultures behave, communicate and perceive the
world around them. The findings of such academic research are then applied to 'real life' situations such as how to
create cultural synergy between people from different cultures within a business or how psychologists understand
their
patients.
The definition of cross-cultural communication must also include strands of the field that contribute to it such
as anthropology,
cultural
studies,
psychology
and
communication.
There are many researchers and academics of note within the cross-cultural field, who naturally all have different
definitions of 'cross-cultural communication'. For example Karlfried Knapp defines it as "'Cross-cultural
communication,' can...be defined as the interpersonal interaction between members of different groups, which
differ from each other in respect of the knowledge shared by their members and in respect of their linguistic forms
of
symbolic
behavior."
The theories developed by the researchers and academics can and have been applied to many fields such as
business, management, marketing, advertising and website design. As business becomes more and more
international, many companies need to know how best to structure their companies, manage staff and
communicate with customers. Cross-cultural communication gives them an insight into the areas they need to
address or understand. Cross-cultural communication theories are now also used within the education, health care
and
other
public
services
due
to
growing
multicultural
populations.
There are different strategies for success abroad. Working across cultures requires a diverse skill set and a
different approach from business in general. When bridging cultures both similar and foreign to your own, certain
strategies are crucial to international business success. Here are ten strategies for interacting with people from
different cultures considered by Kate Berardo, a Northwestern educated intercultural specialist who helps people
from different cultures, backgrounds, and schools of thought understand each other and work effectively together.
Learn about the business beforehand. This general business strategy becomes increasingly important
when dealing with businesses across cultures. Get on their website, check out their promotional material. Get a
feel for the atmosphere, attitude, and angle that the business has. Many cultural factors are passed down from the
societal level to businesses. However, each organization will have its own culture, personality, and way of doing
things.
Observe. Because your mind is processing a lot of information in new environments, your observation
skills when working across cultures may be flooded or unfocused. Keep your observation skills engaged and alert
to elements that will help you do business. Notice how people act, dress, and treat each other. Especially if you
come from a culture that emphasizes verbal communication, make a point of looking for messages that are
conveyed without being said. Being able to read a situation will greatly improve your ability to have a successful
meeting.
Ask questions. Many people don't want to reveal how little they know about other cultures, so they don't
ask questions. Ultimately, they limit their ability to work in other cultures. Questions show you are interested in
your colleague's culture. This interest and consideration helps build your relationship, which is especially
important if your culture has a reputation for trying to culturally dominate others. Demonstrate that you are
working to create synergy between your cultures with questions. In doing so, you create room for the mistakes
you may make; people are more willing to look past cultural blunders if they know you are trying to learn about
the culture you are working with.
Stay aware of yourself. Some people feel like they have somewhat of an out-of-body experience when in
cross-cultural situations because they are focused on everything new outside of themselves. There can be so much
going on around you that you forget to focus on yourself as well. Take advantage of down time (and make time
for it) so you can get in touch with your body and feelings. Where is it coming from? This process can help you
feel more grounded and secure in your experience abroad.
Allow for more time. Working across cultures takes more time. Communication may be slowed and
logistics may be different. You may be working with a culture with a different concept of time altogether. Expect
most things to take longer than they would when dealing with a business from your same culture or country. Also
give yourself more time to process all the information before making decisions.
Look for individual differences. Overviews of cultures are meant to be guidelines only. Individuals may
have values and behaviors that vary greatly from those of their native culture. Many people make the mistake of
trying to fit people they are working with into cultural molds, when often they don't fit. People's values and
behaviors are influenced in part by their culture, but also by their background, experiences, and personality. Be
careful not to attribute too much of what you observe to a cultural difference.
Find the humor. Humor heals and helps you through difficult situations. Travel can be stressful, as can
new environments and change in general. This stress can limit both your flexibility and your ability to handle
cross-cultural situations. Combat stress with humor. Be able to step away (at least mentally) from situations and
find the humor in them.
Learn to tolerate uncertainty. This is an essential skill, and one that can be extremely difficult for people
from some cultures where directness and exactness are valued. There will be a great deal of unknowns when
doing business across cultures. Definitive, concrete answers may not always be given, especially if you are
working with a culture with a high tolerance for uncertainty. Focus on what you can determine and try to let go of
minor details that are unclear. (Similarly, if you come from a culture that doesn't place a high value on exactness
and are working with someone from a culture that does, try to provide clarification and details when possible.)
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