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Langues - LEN_30202_TA : Introduction to Debating

Domaine > Langues vivantes.

Descriptif

Debating is a characteristic feature of higher education in English-speaking countries, where students develop their critical thinking, persuasive, and public speaking skills in university debating societies such as the famous Oxford Union. Students value the transferable skills regular debating enables them to develop, and the opportunity it gives them to reflect on important contemporary issues and problems. It has become an increasingly popular and widespread activity in universities around the world, culminating in an annual world championship attended by hundreds of teams. 

  

In France the French Debating Association (FDA) also has an annual tournament in which a team from Ensta participates. Members of that team have their own dedicated debating class. This class, by contrast, is for students wishing to practise debating and develop the associated skills without taking part in the FDA tournament.  

 

In this class, students working in teams will prepare and deliver speeches proposing or opposing a controversial proposition (a "motion") which they’ve researched in advance or discovered on the day of the class. The motion may be on a topical issue, or some more philosophical question, and may be deadly serious or wacky and light-hearted. With each successive class, students will sharpen the spontaneity and persuasive force of their spoken discourse, gaining confidence speaking in public. The research they undertake will help them broaden their lexical resources. Students will receive guidance in rhetoric and argumentation, and intermittently take part in other communicative activities. They will also hopefully enjoy themselves. 

Objectifs pédagogiques

By the end of the semester, you will

  • Better understand and develop public speaking skills.  
  • Explore various debating formats and new methods for public problem-solving.  
  • Practice and improve your English through a variety of subjects discussed.  
  • Improve your general research and note-taking skills through articles and podcasts 

27 heures en présentiel (9 blocs ou créneaux)
réparties en:
  • Cours de Langues : 27

effectifs minimal / maximal:

10/30

Diplôme(s) concerné(s)

UE de rattachement

Format des notes

Numérique sur 20

Littérale/grade européen

Pour les étudiants du diplôme Diplôme d'Ingénieur de l'Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Techniques Avancées

Le rattrapage est autorisé (Note de rattrapage conservée écrêtée à une note seuil de 10)
  • le rattrapage est obligatoire si :
    Note initiale < 6
  • le rattrapage peut être demandé par l'étudiant si :
    6 ≤ note initiale < 10

Le coefficient de l'UE est : 1

Programme détaillé

Skills focus

This class will principally focus on oral skills - both speaking and listening, as one cannot reply convincingly to one's interlocutor or opponent without listening carefully to what they have said. Reading skills will be practised during preparatory research and writing skills in the preparation of speeches. 

Activities

·       Classes will normally consist in a single debate, with students grouped into teams of between 2 and 5 members, each giving a speech. Time will be allotted at the beginning for students debating that week (around half the class) to prepare their speeches, and for the others - who will be the judges - to discuss the issues and anticipate the arguments they expect to hear. At the end they will provide a judgement of the debate and pronounce the winners. Homework will principally consist in the research to be carried out in preparation for each debate. 

Assessment

  • Assessment will be continuous, evaluating students' progress in the various objectives indicated above. Specific debates at the end of each semester will enable students to demonstrate their progress and will carry a greater weight in the overall grade. 

Mots clés

Persuasion, analysis, argumentation, performance, structure, spontaneity
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