• This course is available in: Amsterdam, Dublin, Florence
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School debates are a rising star among the interests of teachers, and the reasons for this are numerous and clear: debates increase student engagement and sensitivity towards delicate issues, besides helping them acquire new research skills. However, although this activity has always had space in many education systems around the world, it is fairly new for European schools. This course provides specific tools for teachers to activate, facilitate, and dig deeper into meaningful discussions that lead to learning. As a participant, you will acquire all the tools to introduce debates in your teaching practice, both as a "stand-alone" activity meant to enhance soft skills (such as active listening, researching, empathy, and public speaking) and as part of your curriculum. You will learn to energize discussions that will improve student engagement, develop critical thinking skills, and deepen understanding and appreciation of diverse views. The instructor will provide discussion tools and model exercises to enliven classrooms and ensure that all voices are heard by demonstrating ways to listen to one another and respond with empathy so that all students’ values and needs are respected. Finally, you will become familiar with creating a lesson plan for a debate, as well as with evaluation tools, and you will be able to provide your students with all the tips they need to excel in their debate! After an intense week of practice, during which you will plan, analyze, participate and evaluate debates, you will feel confident implementing debates, therefore taking advantage of all the amazing benefits in your classroom.