Harnessing Debate for Language Learning

Sep 12, 2024

Language Learning through Debate

Importance of Debate

  • Confronting opinions is key in learning a new language.
  • Expressions like "I beg to differ" or "we must agree to disagree" aid in language acquisition.
  • Debating is especially crucial in learning a foreign language.

Theme: Debating About Art

  • Focus of the first theme in LLCER classes.
  • Art can provoke various forms of debate.

Structure of the Videos

  • Six keys to succeed in debates.
  • Three necessary steps for oral examinations.
  • Each video will follow a consistent structure.

Six Keys to Successful Debating

  1. Writer in His Time
    • Social novels, social realism.
  2. Commitment and Resistance
    • Art as a medium for transgression and humor.
    • Understanding humor is essential.
  3. Censorship
    • The role of censoring in art.
  4. Rhetorical Skills
    • Analyzing famous speeches and debates.
    • Example: Nixon vs. JFK debate.
  5. Political Debates
    • Includes war literature.

Examples and Illustrations

  • Social Realism
    • "The Enormous Radio" by John Cheever
    • "I, Daniel Blake" by Ken Loach
  • Commitment and Resistance
    • "Animal Farm" by George Orwell
    • "Things Fall Apart" by Chinua Achebe
  • Censorship in Art
    • "Lady Chatterley's Lover" by D.H. Lawrence
    • "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger
  • Rhetorical Skills and Debates
    • Obama’s "Yes We Can"
    • Mandela’s famous speech
  • War Literature
    • "The Red Badge of Courage" by Stephen Crane
    • "Farewell to Arms" by Ernest Hemingway

Unforgettable Ideas for Portfolios

  • Classic Literature
    • "The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood
    • "Death of a Salesman" by Arthur Miller
  • Iconic Works
    • "When I Hit You" by Meena Kandasamy
    • Pop Art
    • "Gulliver's Travels" by Jonathan Swift
  • 27 Club Musicians
    • Amy Winehouse, Janis Joplin
  • Poetry Slam Artists
    • Prince EA
    • Rupi Kaur

Conclusion

  • Encouragement to explore and find works that resonate personally.
  • Consider the given themes and characteristics when researching.

  • Next Steps: Investigate other works that echo personal perspectives on the themes discussed. The lecture encourages independent exploration and personal connection to the material.