English debate class 2012

English Debate Class

"Let’s Debate Together"

2012

Topic: Modern Technologies: Pros and Cons

Form: 10

Aims – to facilitate learners` free speaking on the topic, widen their general outlook, develop logical and creative thinking, imagination, the ability to analyze and summarize the material, teach learners to respect opposite opinions.

Equipment: PowerPoint presentation, cards For and Against, handouts, text for reading "A Wonder or a Fooling of the Modern World?", a video fragment "Apple’s Latest iPhone Siri".

PROCEDURE

   1.   We are glad to welcome you at our English debate club "Let’s Debate together". We are going to do a lot of interesting things today! We will share our opinions, agree or disagree, comment on the problems and will definitely speak English a lot. Hope, the issues raised will be very exciting and useful for you.

   2.   The motto of our today’s class is "The secret of life is not to do what you like, but to like what you do."  How do you understand it?

3.   First of all, I’d like to introduce our teams. Each is going to support own ideas:

Team 1

For

Team 2

Against

Moreover, you’ve got cards of the particular colour. Every time you are ready with the answer, raise your card up for me to see you have something to say.

     4.   OK, I guess, it is just the time to start. To begin with, I would like you to have a look at some pieces of technology. Think of the advantages and disadvantages of each one. While presenting your opinions, use the expressions for sharing ideas. Don’t forget to follow your line!

Sharing opinions To my mind … As I see it … Personally I think that … In/on my opinion … It goes without saying that … I am strongly convinced that .. I cannot but mention …

Pieces of technology:

 1) air conditioning

2) walkman

3) laptop computer

4) home cinema

5) dishwasher

6) washing machine

7) microwave oven

5.   As I see, the real struggle is going to start. I am sure, that I am ready to present the topic of our today’s debate.
                                                                                                 Modern technologies:

  Pros & Cons

 

Now each team has got 5 minutes to think about all advantages and disadvantages of modern gadgets. Ready, steady, go!

Agree or disagree? Ø I see your point but I think ... Ø Yes, I understand, but my opinion is that ... Ø That's all very interesting but the problem is that … Ø I am afraid I can't agree with your point … Ø I think I've got your point, now let me say ... Ø We see what you mean. Here is our reply …

6. Every day something new is invented in the world. Modern gadgets and devices appear on the market. Today I would like you to discuss one of the most popular things in the world. How do you think, what is it? (a mobile phone – an iPhone).

a) read the text and tell what facts have you learnt about the latest Apple’s iPhone – Siri

A Wonder or a Fooling of the Modern World      Apple’s latest iPhone feature is Siri. What is Siri, you ask? Funny you ask that way. Siri is a new app that will be included with iPhone 4S. This app is a new way to control your phone with your voice.  Instead of just dictating a message to your phone, you can ask your iPhone to do stuff for you. Siri can take action based on what you say, and isn’t limited to a small set of specific keywords to do what you ask. Apple is able to take voice control to a new level by using Artificial Intelligence. Siri's artificial intelligence lets the app place your request in context and make smarter decisions about what you are trying to do. When you launch Siri, which you can just call you assistant if Siri sounds weird, you can ask it to do something and get the results back to you by a robotic sounding female voice. Here are just a few of the things you can ask Siri to do:

Ask for a reminder (at a specific time or place)

Ask to send a text

Ask of the weather

 Ask for information (restaurant)

Ask to schedule a meeting

Ask to send an e-mail

Ask for smb.`s number

Ask to set an alarm

Ask for directions

Ask to set a timer

Ask to play a playlist

b) watch the video fragment and tell what is special in this iPhone.

Discuss all the points about Siri. Find positive and negative issues. Be ready to prove your ideas!

7. Conclusion

(2 teams make a brief summary of their ideas about modern technology: pros and cons)

To sum it up, I must say that technology is an extremely popular thing nowadays. We cannot imagine our life without it. We use it everywhere and every time. As you know, all the people are divided into 2 types – technophiles (those who adore machinery) and technophobes (those who are afraid of it). And judging by our today’s discussion, we see that despite all the minuses, the modern world is ruled by technology. Thanks for your participation! Have a nice day! Good bye!