Unit 11 — Debate and Discussion

Track G+M · Klasse 9 · Niveau G/M

Template: Activate → Input → Practise → Produce → Reflect.
Niveau: G/M parallel. class test (“Klassenarbeit”) at Niveau M (45 BE).

Learning objectives Link to heading

  • I can present a 90-second argument for or against a motion.
  • I can use 6 debate signposts (I’d like to argue, my opponent claims, however, in response, finally, to summarise).
  • I can listen and respond to one specific point in a peer’s argument.

Bildungsplan alignment Link to heading

  • 3.2.1 Soziokulturelles Orientierungswissen / Themen
  • 3.2.3.1 Hör-/Hörsehverstehen
  • 3.2.3.3 Sprechen – an Gesprächen teilnehmen
  • 3.2.3.4 Sprechen – zusammenhängendes monologisches Sprechen

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

Lead-in story Link to heading

Mr. Yilmaz proposed a class debate. The motion: This class would replace one written test per term with a project-based assessment. Naima leads the for. Eli leads the against. Mr. Yilmaz, who secretly favours both options, is moderator.

1. Activate Link to heading

Two-minute brainstorm. With your partner, list 3 arguments for and 3 against the motion.

2. Input Link to heading

Debate vocabulary Link to heading

motion, proposition, opposition, moderator, point of order, rebut, concede, argument, evidence, anecdote, summary.

Debate signposts Link to heading

Opening: I’d like to argue / I would like to speak in favour / against … Listing: Firstly … Secondly … Lastly … Counter: My opponent claims … / However, … / In response, … Concession: I accept that … but … Closing: Finally / To summarise / In short, I would urge you to support / oppose this motion.

3. Practise Link to heading

Niveau G Link to heading

  1. Choose: opening / counter / closing: “I’d like to argue …” → ___ ; “My opponent claims …” → ___ ; “To summarise …” → ___ .
  2. Match: rebut → counter; concede → accept partly. (T / F)

Niveau M Link to heading

  1. Build a 4-sentence opening for or against the motion using 3 signposts.
Answer key

G. 1. opening / counter / closing. 2. all true.

M. 3. Open.

4. Produce Link to heading

Class debate. Two teams of 4 + 1 moderator. Each speaker delivers a 90-second argument with 4 signposts. Listening team prepares one specific rebuttal per speaker. The moderator times strictly.

Sample Link to heading

I’d like to speak in favour of the motion. Firstly, project-based assessment captures skills that a written test cannot — research, design, presentation. Secondly, project-based work tends to involve real audiences, which makes the writing better. My opponent will claim that projects can be unfair across groups. I accept that, but it can be controlled with clear rubrics. Finally, replacing one test per term is moderate. To summarise: a small change, a real benefit. I urge you to support the motion.

5. Reflect Link to heading

  • I can present a 90-second argument with 4 signposts.
  • I can rebut one specific point.
  • I can concede one point gracefully.

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

Exam example Link to heading

class test ("Klassenarbeit") — Niveau M (45 minutes)
Time. 45 minutes. Total. 45 points.

Task 1 — Listening (10 BE) Link to heading

Listen twice.

“I’d like to speak in favour. Firstly, project work captures skills tests don’t. Secondly, real audiences improve writing. My opponent will claim that fairness is hard. I accept that, but a clear rubric solves it. To summarise: small change, real benefit.”

  1. Stance: ___ . 2. First reason: ___ . 3. Counter anticipated: ___ . 4. Closing phrase: ___ .

Task 2 — Reading (12 BE) Link to heading

Read the sample debate opening above. Answer.

  1. Speaker stance: ___ . 2. Two reasons: ___ . 3. Concession: ___ . 4. Sign-off: ___ .

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

Insert the right signpost.

  1. ___ to support the motion.
  2. ___ , project work is real.
  3. ___ , my opponent claims fairness is hard.
  4. ___ , a small change with real benefit.

Task 4 — Writing (13 BE) Link to heading

Write a 150-word debate speech (for or against any motion). Use 4 debate signposts.

Answer key
T1. in favour; project work captures skills tests don’t; fairness is hard; To summarise. T2. in favour; project skills + real audiences; I accept that, but a clear rubric solves it; I urge you to support the motion. T3. I’d like / Firstly / However / To summarise. T4. Open.
Notenschlüssel (von 45)
| 42–45 | 1 | 36–41 | 2 | 30–35 | 3 | | 22–29 | 4 | 13–21 | 5 | 0–12 | 6 |

Downloads Link to heading

**Slide deck timing.** 45 minutes total. Lead-in 4 min · Activate 5 min · Input 14 min · Practise 8 min · Produce 11 min · Reflect 3 min.

Differentiation. Niveau G: scaffold card with the key structure. Above Niveau M: extension prompt linking to Klasse 10.

Common pitfalls Link to heading

  • Reading from a script flatly.
  • Generic rebuttals (you’re wrong) — be specific.
  • Concession without genuine engagement.

Further reading / listening Link to heading

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

Downloads

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