KOTESOL National Conference 2018
Workshop (45 minutes)
Bryan J. Aguiar, Kwangwoon University
Socratic Debate in Conversation Classes
Abstract
Wondering how to get your students to achieve natural, spontaneous debate and discussion using English? Curious about Socratic debate and whether or not it can work in your conversation class? While every instructor has their own idiosyncratic style, given the proper training, guidance and advice, they can successfully actualize Socratic debate techniques in their class.
By being exposed to example Socratic dialogues, students are able not only to find their voice but to gain confidence in preparing for full scale Socratic debate. Whether debate is done in groups or as a class, when paired with an inner world dialogue journal, students can develop all four language skills rigorously.
Likewise, students can achieve any level of praxis, especially if they are graded for participation and Socratic debate counts as part of their participation grade. Even if given this extrinsic motivation, their intrinsic motivation might still be lacking, and, if this is the case, they can be retrained to cultivate their own interest, curiosity and imagination.
Of course, the ideas proposed in this talk are not easily achieved, but the presenter has enough experience to offer an array of techniques and tips to help you apply them. Therefore, if successful, not only will students be able to articulate and share their ideas and feelings more freely without fear, but will also have fun doing so.
Biographicals
Bryan J. Aguiar has been living in Korea since 2009 and is currently teaching at his third university. A PhD philosophy student at a Korean university since 2014, he feels that he understands how to break and remold the limits and constraints of the Korean tertiary education system.
See the list of Presentations at the KOTESOL 2018 National Conference
