Mini Debates
You won't find topics like Botox use by Teens or the Banning of Pit Bulls in your average course book. These lessons contain readings based on hot topics from the news. Lessons include warm up questions, a reading, vocabulary review, and two statements for debate. Mini-debates are useful for exam prep classes where students must learn to speak or write opinions on both sides of an issue. (Intermediate to Advanced)
View a Sample From This Section
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The Death Penalty
Students read about the death penalty and death row. After practicing new vocabulary, students have the opportunity to discuss their viewpoints about capital punishment and have a formal debate.
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Water Privatization
In this lesson, students read about a case of water privatization that took place in Bolivia in 1999. Should water always remain a public utility? Students debate this question.
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The Right To Die
Students discuss assisted suicide and read about two specific cases in preparation for two debates. They learn related vocabulary, and review the subjunctive mood and expressions used in debates.
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Personal Technology in the Classroom
Two teens in Quebec used a cell phone to secretly film a teacher yelling in class. They posted the video on YouTube. Students debate whether or not cell phones should be allowed in class.
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English Globalization
Is the loss of national languages inevitable? After reading about the globalization of the English language, students debate whether or not local languages should be mixed with English.
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Black Gold: the Movie
This lesson provides a preview of the British documentary "Black Gold," which exposes unknown facts about the international coffee industry. Should consumers limit themselves to "fair trade coffee"?
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Teen Botox
This lesson focuses on the obsession of staying young, and introduces teen Botox, the latest cosmetic trend. Students debate whether or not physical appearance is related to success.
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Employee Tracking
Students read about how employers are using tracking devices to monitor employees' job-related travel and Internet use. The class debates whether or not tracking is an effective management tool.
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Junk Food at School
In this lesson, students read about junk food and vending machines in the US. The class debates whether or not it's a school's responsibility to promote healthy eating.
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Video Game Violence
This lesson introduces a law that temporarily prevented those under 18 from renting or buying video games containing violent or sexual content. Students debate whether video games increase violence.
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File Sharing
Is illegal downloading a concern that universities should tackle? Students read about several issues related to file-sharing and debate methods of prevention and modes of punishment.
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Live 8 Concerts
Is holding a benefit concert a good way to focus public attention on global issues? Students debate whether money alone can solve world poverty and whether the UN should take responsibility.
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Gene Patenting
Should a company be able to patent or control the use of a plant? This lesson introduces a Canadian case that went to the Supreme Court of Canada. The class debates the issues.
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Banning Landmines
This lesson introduces the topic of landmines and discusses the 1997 treaty signed by 133 countries, excluding the US, China, and Russia. Are landmines a reasonable form of self-defense?
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The Kyoto Protocol
This lesson offers an introduction to global warming and provides information about the Kyoto Protocol. Students debate government responsibilities and restrictions related to the environment.
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Smoking Ban
This lesson introduces the Clean Indoor Air law that was introduced in Idaho. Should the elderly and the sick be forced to go outside to smoke? Students debate hot topics related to smoking.
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Gun Control
Students read about and discuss gun control and gun violence around the world. A variety of debate topics are provided. The lesson includes vocabulary review tasks and discussion questions.
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Cheating
Are today's students under too much pressure to achieve high marks? This lesson explores the topics of cheating and plagiarism in high schools. Students debate acceptable punishments for the crime.
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Animal Testing
In 2009, the European parliament voted to ban animal testing for cosmetic products. In 2013, the EU extended the ban to its trading partners. Students debate the issues.
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Banning Pit Bulls
Having pit bulls as pets was banned in Canada in 2004. In this lesson, students learn about the reasons behind the legislation and debate whether or not all dogs should be kept on leashes.
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Euthanasia
In this lesson, students read about Dr. Biggs, a UK doctor who wants to legalize euthanasia in the UK. The class debates whether or not terminally ill patients should have the right to choose death.
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Caring for the Elderly
In many countries, the elderly are the fastest growing population. Is it a child's responsibility to care for his or her aging parent? Students debate the use of nursing homes.
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Banning Trans Fats
The consumption of trans fats is a serious health issue. In this lesson, students read about how and why product labels have changed in Canada.
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Corporate Responsibility
In this lesson, students are introduced to the 1984 chemical spill in India where up to 10,000 people died. To what extent should corporations be held accountable for their lethal mistakes?
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