MICRO-DEBATE AS A WAY OF IMPROVING TECHNICAL ENGLISH SKILLS
MICRO-DEBATE AS A WAY OF IMPROVING TECHNICAL ENGLISH SKILLS

Summary/Abstract: Originating in Karl Popper’s debating program – meant to foster analytical thinking, self-expression and the pluralism of opinions, the technique of debate that we use today within English classes has the power to push students beyond their limits of simply approaching the target language. As a complex activity in its own right, the micro-debate on technological issues tests students’ logical thought, coherence and persistence of personal opinion on the one hand, and their communication skills, from interaction to adequate exchange of arguments on the other. All in all, as a way of improving technical English competencies, the pair debate or the micro-debate begins with a thought-provoking quote about technology and rounds it off with further enquiring and final settling for conclusions. The engagement of the whole class plus the teacher favours a deeper understanding of the technological matter and the related examples at stake and a better command of the technical English language. Therefore, the main benefits that derive from this teaching technique will be brought to the fore and analysed thoroughly in the present paper.

• Details
• Contents