Mike’s Blog
Strategies, Ideas and Insights for Teachers and Leaders
Tag: public speaking
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Bring the Apprentice into your classroom with the Big Pitch questioning activity, or turn your focus to the deeper, more profound aspects of philosophical questioning
The Big Pitch Divide learners into groups of four. One of these groups is designated the ‘executive board’. The rest of the groups, the pitchers, are set a problem for…
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One questioning activity that channels the power of the courts, and a second that takes its inspiration from the world of journalism
Cross-Examination Learners are divided into groups of four. One member of each group is designated as a cross-examiner. The cross-examiners leave their groups and stand at the front of the…
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How can you structure a formal debate in your classroom and use it to help learners speak confidently in front of their peers?
Formal Debate Discussion Strategy: Explanation A formal debate is a highly structured, turn-taking discussion in which participants are bound by rules designed to create a competitive, antagonistic (in the sense…
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Use this simple discussion activity to get every learner in your classroom engaged in debate and refining their thinking
Speed Debating Discussion Strategy: Explanation Present learners with a statement related to the topic of study. Divide the class in two. Explain that one half of the class will be…
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Use the method of cross-examination that keeps government ministers in check to supercharge discussion in your classroom
Select Committee Discussion Strategy: Explanation Select Committees are made up of groups of MPs or members of the House of Lords. The House of Commons has Select Committees for each…
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Become a television chat show host in your classroom and create the kind of discussion opportunities you and your learners just can’t get anywhere else
Television Chat Show Discussion Strategy: Explanation Set the room up as follows. Place one chair at the front. This is the presenter’s chair. Next to that, angled-in slightly, place three…
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How can you use hot-seating to engage learners, develop their confidence, and boost the quality of their speaking and listening?
Hot-Seating Discussion Strategy: Explanation Hot-seating is a dramatic device where learners face questions from their peers and the teacher. The version we’ll look at sees learners invited to take on…
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Send learners around the classroom, retain control of behaviour, and realise the benefits of discussion, all through one tried and tested activity
Envoys Discussion Strategy: Explanation The room is set up so that there are a series of pods, each of which is occupied by a group of three or four learners.…