Dear ELT 2 Students,

We are thrilled to announce an engaging and intellectually stimulating midterm project for our class: a debate competition! This is a fantastic opportunity for you to showcase your language skills, critical thinking, and persuasive abilities in a lively and dynamic setting.

đź“… Date: 20th November 2023
⏰ Time: 10:00 AM
đź“Ť Venue: Room 215

This debate will not only be a platform for you to articulate your thoughts and arguments effectively but also a chance to listen, respond, and engage with diverse perspectives. It’s a perfect blend of learning, competition, and fun!

We encourage all ELT 2 students to participate with enthusiasm and bring their best to this debate. It’s not just about winning; it’s about learning, growing, and enjoying the process.

Looking forward to seeing your impressive debating skills in action!

Academic Debate Midterm Instructions

What You Need to Know

  • Teams: 10 groups, each has 4 students.
  • Talking Time: Each student talks for 2 minutes. Each group gets 1 extra minute to finish.
  • Stay Until the End: Everyone must stay for all the debates. It’s part of your grade.
  • Grades: You get your own grade, not a group grade.

Rules

  1. Who Talks When:
    • First, someone from the “yes” team talks, then someone from the “no” team.
    • This keeps going until everyone has talked.
    • At the end, one person from each team talks for 1 minute to finish.
  2. How Long to Talk:
    • You can talk for 2 minutes.
    • Your group gets 1 more minute at the end.
  3. What to Say:
    • Talk about things that are true and fit the topic.
    • Be clear and try to make good points.
    • Be nice and don’t say mean things.
  4. Be Nice:
    • Always be nice to the other team and the judges.
    • No yelling or saying bad things about others.
  5. Using Notes:
    • Don’t read from your phone or tablet.
    • You can have paper notes to help you remember.
  6. Grades:
    • You need to be there for all the debates.
    • Your grade is about how well you talk and make points.
  7. How We Decide Who Did Well:
    • The judges look at what you say, how you say it, and how you work as a team.
  8. After Talking:
    • Listen to others and be respectful.
    • Join in if there’s a talk after the debates.

Tips

  • Learn a lot about your topic.
  • Practice talking for 2 minutes.
  • Be clear and try to make good points.
  • Think about what the other team might say.
  • Work with your team to do well together.

Academic Debate Rubric for EFL Learners (CEFR A2-B1 Level)

Total Points: 100

  • Each main section is worth 20 points.
  • Each criterion within a section is worth 4 points.
  1. Content and Relevance (20 Points)
    • Topic Relevance (4 Points): Directly addresses and stays relevant to the topic.
    • Understanding of Subject (4 Points): Shows a clear understanding of the subject matter.
    • Supporting Evidence (4 Points): Uses examples or evidence to support arguments.
    • Depth of Content (4 Points): Provides depth and insight in arguments.
    • Accuracy of Information (4 Points): Information presented is accurate and factual.
  2. Language Use and Vocabulary (20 Points)
    • Grammar and Accuracy (4 Points): Uses grammatically correct sentences.
    • Vocabulary Range (4 Points): Demonstrates a good range of vocabulary.
    • Pronunciation and Clarity (4 Points): Speech is clear and easily understandable.
    • Fluency (4 Points): Maintains a steady flow of speech.
    • Language Complexity (4 Points): Attempts more complex sentence structures.
  3. Clarity and Structure of Arguments (20 Points)
    • Logical Sequencing (4 Points): Ideas are presented in a logical order.
    • Clarity of Points (4 Points): Arguments are expressed clearly and concisely.
    • Linking of Ideas (4 Points): Effectively uses transitions to connect ideas.
    • Focus on Topic (4 Points): Consistently maintains focus on the topic.
    • Rebuttal Strength (4 Points): Effectively addresses and counters opposing views.
  4. Engagement and Interaction (20 Points)
    • Active Participation (4 Points): Engages actively in the debate.
    • Listening and Responding (4 Points): Shows good listening skills and responds appropriately.
    • Respect for Others (4 Points): Demonstrates respect for other speakers.
    • Collaboration with Team (4 Points): Works effectively with team members.
    • Handling Counterarguments (4 Points): Skillfully handles counterarguments.
  5. Presentation Skills (20 Points)
    • Eye Contact and Body Language (4 Points): Uses effective non-verbal communication.
    • Voice Clarity and Modulation (4 Points): Voice is clear, well-modulated.
    • Time Management (4 Points): Uses allotted time effectively.
    • Audience Engagement (4 Points): Keeps the audience engaged.
    • Confidence and Poise (4 Points): Presents with confidence and maintains composure.

Scoring Guide:

  • 4 Points: Excellent – Exceeds expectations.
  • 3 Points: Good – Meets expectations.
  • 2 Points: Satisfactory – Meets some expectations.
  • 1 Point: Needs Improvement – Below expectations.
  • 0 Points: Not Demonstrated – The criterion was not demonstrated.