Using Debate-Based Activities to Develop Critical Thinking and Speaking Skills in EFL Classrooms

This article explores how debate-based activities can be used within Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) to develop both the speaking skills and the critical thinking of B1-level EFL learners. The discussion is organised around three questions: what to teach, who to teach and how to teach. It first identifies the speaking and thinking skills that debate develops, such as stating a position, supporting it with reasons and evidence, responding to opposing views and listening critically, together with the expressions learners need to do so. It then describes B1 learners as independent users who can give simple opinions but often struggle to build and defend an argument. Finally, it shows how a debate cycle of preparation, structured debate and feedback can be organised in two lessons on the motion that schools should begin each day with compulsory morning exercises. The article suggests that well-scaffolded debates give learners a real reason to speak and think carefully, and can help them become more fluent, organised and confident speakers.