Running and Judging a Modern Language Debating Competition

ISMLA Conference, 1st February, 2014

Duncan ByrneJohn Wilson

Duncan – THE DEBATE

John – THE EVENT

Joutes Oratoires - principles

• Based on the debating rules of the English Speaking Union.

• Timings are, however, much shorter to replicate the experience of oral exams.

• No interruptions to the individual speeches (no ‘points of order’!)

• No audience participation.• Try to avoid over-preparation.

The format• 2 minutes for the first speaker of the proposition• 2 minutes for the first speaker of the opposition• 2 minutes for the second speaker of the proposition• 2 minutes for the second speaker of the opposition• 4 minutes of “lutte acharnée” (free debate)• 1 minute conclusion for the opposition• 1 minute conclusion for the propositionJudges withdraw to discuss their verdict, which they

then explain briefly in the TL to the participants.

Judging the debate

Judge the quality of ideas not the quality of the language. The language is only important insofar as it facilitates or hinders communication.

Rebuttal of one’s opponents points is extremely important. Encourage your debaters to listen to their opponents and then criticise their ideas. This is far preferable to sticking to a prepared script.

Aller en vacances à l’étranger est plus intéressant que de rester dans son propre pays.

• 2 minutes for the first speaker of the proposition• 2 minutes for the first speaker of the opposition• 2 minutes for the second speaker of the proposition• 2 minutes for the second speaker of the opposition• 4 minutes of “lutte acharnée” (free debate)• 1 minute conclusion for the opposition• 1 minute conclusion for the propositionJudges withdraw to discuss their verdict, which they

then explain briefly in the TL to the participants.

Aller en vacances à l’étranger est plus intéressant que de rester dans son propre pays.

• 2 minutes for the first speaker of the proposition• 2 minutes for the first speaker of the opposition• 2 minutes for the second speaker of the proposition• 2 minutes for the second speaker of the opposition• 4 minutes of “lutte acharnée” (free debate)• 1 minute conclusion for the opposition• 1 minute conclusion for the propositionJudges withdraw to discuss their verdict, which they

then explain briefly in the TL to the participants.

Aller en vacances à l’étranger est plus intéressant que de rester dans son propre pays.

• 2 minutes for the first speaker of the proposition• 2 minutes for the first speaker of the opposition• 2 minutes for the second speaker of the proposition• 2 minutes for the second speaker of the opposition• 4 minutes of “lutte acharnée” (free debate)• 1 minute conclusion for the opposition• 1 minute conclusion for the propositionJudges withdraw to discuss their verdict, which they

then explain briefly in the TL to the participants.

Aller en vacances à l’étranger est plus intéressant que de rester dans son propre pays.

• 2 minutes for the first speaker of the proposition• 2 minutes for the first speaker of the opposition• 2 minutes for the second speaker of the proposition• 2 minutes for the second speaker of the opposition• 4 minutes of “lutte acharnée” (free debate)• 1 minute conclusion for the opposition• 1 minute conclusion for the propositionJudges withdraw to discuss their verdict, which they

then explain briefly in the TL to the participants.

Aller en vacances à l’étranger est plus intéressant que de rester dans son propre pays.

• 2 minutes for the first speaker of the proposition• 2 minutes for the first speaker of the opposition• 2 minutes for the second speaker of the proposition• 2 minutes for the second speaker of the opposition• 4 minutes of “lutte acharnée” (free debate)• 1 minute conclusion for the opposition• 1 minute conclusion for the propositionJudges withdraw to discuss their verdict, which they

then explain briefly in the TL to the participants.

Aller en vacances à l’étranger est plus intéressant que de rester dans son propre pays.

• 2 minutes for the first speaker of the proposition• 2 minutes for the first speaker of the opposition• 2 minutes for the second speaker of the proposition• 2 minutes for the second speaker of the opposition• 4 minutes of “lutte acharnée” (free debate)• 1 minute conclusion for the opposition• 1 minute conclusion for the propositionJudges withdraw to discuss their verdict, which they

then explain briefly in the TL to the participants.

Aller en vacances à l’étranger est plus intéressant que de rester dans son propre pays.

• 2 minutes for the first speaker of the proposition• 2 minutes for the first speaker of the opposition• 2 minutes for the second speaker of the proposition• 2 minutes for the second speaker of the opposition• 4 minutes of “lutte acharnée” (free debate)• 1 minute conclusion for the opposition• 1 minute conclusion for the propositionJudges withdraw to discuss their verdict, which they

then explain briefly in the TL to the participants.

How to mark the debateCompetitions will often start with a ‘group stage’ and the exact number of marks awarded is important in deciding who will progress to the knockout stages.

MARK GRID•5 points for a victory demonstrating outstanding debating skills•4 points for a strong winning performance or alternatively an outstanding performance in defeat •3 points for a relatively unconvincing victory or a strong performance in defeat •2 points for a fairly good losing performance •1 point for a weak performance defeat

Proposition 1nuit peu à la santé – le tabagisme et l’alcool plus dangereuxSelon des études, 33% d’adultes français auraient essayé le cannabis au moins une fois.En le dépénalisant, on pourrait le contrôler / éliminer le trafic / créer une taxe ….

On préconiserait la dépénalisation du cannabis

Proposition 2on l’essaie car il est illégal – il y aurait une baisse de consommation! Les jeunes ont le goût de la transgression (Aux Pays-Bas, ce sont des touristes qui sont responsables de cette hausse!)Effets thérapeutiques – en ce moment les malades qui cherchent du soulagement deviennent des criminels!

Opposition 1Et 50% de conducteurs conduisent trop vite – on augmente donc la limite de vitesse à 200 km/h?Un mauvais signal serait envoyé aux jeunes Dépénalisation mènerait à une hausse de consommation – on l’a vu aux Pays-Bas.Plus dangereux que les cigarettes – aucun filtreDiminution du QI de 8 points auprès des jeunes consommateurs réguliers.

Opposition 2Études scientifiques montrent que la consommation du cannabis est dangereux pour la santéEncourage les jeunes à essayer les drogues duresJe ne veux pas de touristes du cannabis chez moi! On l’a vu au Colorado – pas une réputation

On préconiserait la dépénalisation du cannabis

Proposition 2on l’essaie car il est illégal – il y aurait une baisse de consommation! Les jeunes ont le goût de la transgression (Aux Pays-Bas, ce sont des touristes qui sont responsables de cette hausse!)Effets thérapeutiques – en ce moment les malades qui cherchent du soulagement deviennent des criminels!

Opposition 1Et 50% de conducteurs conduisent trop vite – on augmente donc la limite de vitesse à 200 km/h?Un mauvais signal serait envoyé aux jeunes Dépénalisation mènerait à une hausse de consommation – on l’a vu aux Pays-Bas.Plus dangereux que les cigarettes – aucun filtreDiminution du QI de 8 points auprès des jeunes consommateurs réguliers.

Opposition 2Études scientifiques montrent que la consommation du cannabis est dangereux pour la santéEncourage les jeunes à essayer les drogues duresJe ne veux pas de touristes du cannabis chez moi! On l’a vu au Colorado – pas une réputation

On préconiserait la dépénalisation du cannabis

On préconiserait la dépénalisation du cannabis

Key QuestionsWhy organise a debating competition?

What format should the competition take?

How many schools should you invite?

Which students should come?

How can I fund it?

Who else can help?

What are the time scales for organisation?

How can I manage the workload?

Can I combine it with something else?

If you want more info/advice …

JohnWilson@chschool.co.ukJohn Wilson CHS ( @JohnWil18337607 )d.byrne@cheltenhamcollege.org (@byrne_d)

Helene.May@spgs.orgHélène runs the national competition for French.