DEBATING

Learners are naturally inquisitive. We think it is important to capitalise on this by giving them the opportunity to be part of a debate team.  It enables them to work as part of a team where they can brainstorm ideas, develop their vocabulary and learn to support an opinion.  By doing research they take notes to summarise, to question and clarify information.  They learn to identify the main ideas and delete less important information, thereby labelling and categorising information.  Questioning also allows them to explore and explain all the facts for clarification; purposes.  All these skills are important for learners to become competent readers and writers. Being part of a debate team allows the learners to become confident speakers, better at researching, reading and writing and it also promotes reasoning as well as communication skills.  Debating is also a very good way in which learners can express their opinions assertively in a respectful manner on a relevant issue or topic.  It truly is a great experience for a learner to be part of a debate team.