Unit 11 — Public Speaking and Debate

Learning objectives Link to heading

• I can deliver a 4-minute argued speech with three movements.
• I can rebut one specific point and concede one gracefully.
• I can listen to a peer’s speech and respond with one targeted argument.

curriculum framework (“Bildungsplan”) alignment Link to heading

• 3.3.1 Soziokulturelles Orientierungswissen / Themen
• 3.3.3.1 Hör-/Hörsehverstehen
• 3.3.3.3 Sprechen – an Gesprächen teilnehmen
• 3.3.3.4 Sprechen – zusammenhängendes monologisches Sprechen

(Source: https://www.bildungsplaene-bw.de/,Lde/LS/BP2016BW/ALLG/SEK1/E1)

Lead-in story Link to heading

Maja’s class is rehearsing for the school debate society. The motion: This house would replace one written test per term with a project-based assessment. The team in favour was, predictably, the one with the project-people. The team against was, less predictably, also the one with one project-person — Mr. Yilmaz had drawn names from a hat.

1. Activate Link to heading

Argument scan. With your partner, list 3 best arguments for and 3 against the motion. Mark each as strong / mid / weak.

2. Input Link to heading

Speech — three movements (extended) Link to heading

1. Frame (45 sec): the motion in your own words + why now.
2. Argument (3 min): two points, each with one source / example, plus one anticipated counter and one specific rebuttal.
3. Close (15 sec): one sentence + one ask.

Plus 30 sec buffer.

Debate signposts (extended) Link to heading

Opening: I’d like to argue / The motion before us … Listing: Firstly … Secondly … Lastly … Counter: My opponent will claim … / However, this misses … / In response, … Concession: I accept that … but … Closing: I urge you to support / oppose this motion.

3. Practise Link to heading

Niveau E — controlled Link to heading

1. Match phrase to function: In response → counter; I accept that → concession; To summarise → closing.
2. Build a 3-line opening for for the motion.

Niveau E — productive Link to heading

3. Build a 4-minute argued speech outline (bullets) for or against the motion.

4. Produce Link to heading

Class debate (4 minutes per speaker). Two teams of 4. Each speaker delivers a 4-minute argued speech. Listening team prepares one specific rebuttal per speaker. Moderator times strictly.

Sample Link to heading

The motion before us is that this house would replace one written test per term with a project-based assessment. I’d like to argue in favour. Firstly, project-based assessment captures skills that a written test cannot — research, design, presentation, and the management of one’s own time. The available evidence — including a 2024 OECD review of 18 OECD countries — suggests modest improvements in transferable skill scores when project assessment is added to the mix. Secondly, project work tends to involve real audiences, which improves the writing. My opponent will claim, fairly, that fairness is harder to police across project formats. I accept that, but a clear marking rubric, agreed in advance, solves the lion’s share of that problem. To summarise: replacing one test per term is moderate; the gain is real; the fairness concern is manageable. I urge you to support the motion.

5. Reflect Link to heading

• I can deliver a 4-minute argued speech with three movements.
• I can rebut and concede with specifics.
• I can respond to a peer with a targeted argument.

One thing in your notebook: Write one sentence using something you learned in this Unit.

Exam example Link to heading

Task 1 — Listening (10 BE) Link to heading

Listen twice.

“I’d like to argue in favour. Firstly, project-based assessment captures skills tests don’t. Evidence from a 2024 OECD review suggests modest improvement. My opponent will claim fairness is harder. I accept that, but a clear rubric solves most of it. I urge you to support the motion.”

1. Stance: ___ . 2. Source: ___ . 3. Counter anticipated: ___ . 4. Concession-resolution: ___ .

Task 2 — Reading (12 BE) Link to heading

Read the sample speech above.

1. Two arguments: ___ . 2. Source cited: ___ . 3. Counter + rebuttal: ___ . 4. Closing ask: ___ .

Task 3 — Use of English (10 BE) Link to heading

Insert debate signpost.

1. ___ to argue in favour.
2. ___ , project work captures wider skills.
3. ___ , fairness is harder to police.
4. ___ you to support the motion.

Task 4 — Writing (13 BE) Link to heading

Write a 4-minute debate-speech script (~250 words) for or against any motion. Use 5 debate signposts.

Downloads Link to heading

Common pitfalls Link to heading

• Reading flatly from a script.
• Generic rebuttal (you’re wrong) — name the specific claim you reject.
• Concession without engagement.

Further reading / listening Link to heading

• ESU (English-Speaking Union) — student debate footage.
• BBC Sounds — Question Time extracts.

Downloads

Presentation

Download .pptx

Worksheet

Download .pdf