Hello! I am Jodai a teacher of English.
Next year, "SGS (Super Global Seminar)" centered on Parliamentary Debates and "Toyonaka High School Global Studies" will start.
This time a trial event for freshmen was held after school on February 12 (Fri.). I will report here.
This debate experience was produced by Ms. Chihiro Nakagawa, a research representative and Assistant Professor of Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka Prefecture University.
There were unexpectedly many applicants, so other two teachers (Mr. Yokoyama and Mr.
Oga) from Human Brain Co., Ltd. helped the event. They are well versed in debates.
(Thank you very much!)
Now I will describe the appearance of the debate.
A total of 16 students participated. (One was absence due to illness).
First, Ms. Nakagawa explained the rules of the debate, so-called "Parliamentary Debate," which has been carried out widely in many overseas educational sites.
Following the explanations, Ms. Nakagawa and Mr. Yokoyama performed a sample demonstration, and inspired the students.
The two teachers' sample debate in English was very fluent, probably making the students think they would become good at debates.
Now, students' debate started!
The theme was "fast foods should be abolished."
They were separated into three groups, and each group was divided to 3-to-3 (or 2) between an affirmative team (Government) versus a negative team (Opposition), regardless of their will. They had to stand in the front one by one to persuade in English the Judges (Ms. Nakagawa, Mr. Yokoyama, and Mr. Oga at each table).
They exhibited their full
ability under large pressure, showing strong concentration power!
At the end of the debate, they praised each other for a good fight and shook hands.
The Judges gave comments to individual students, who were seriously listening with joy.
Thereafter the results were announced.
When the winner was announced, everybody shouted with pleasure, "Well done!"
Also the best debater and best POI (questions and answers) at each table were announced. The classroom was filled with excitement.
Students said unanimously, "It was really interesting!" or "I want to do again." It was a nice surprise!
It is not only enjoyable for students, but also their English would really improve, I think.
This kind of situation, in which students have to speak English spontaneously, resembles the situation that they study abroad.
From this experience, I look forward to seeing next year's "SGS" and "Toyonaka High
School Global Studies."
The next year's recruitment of participants will be announced on March 18, after the announcement of entrance examinations.
Please by all means apply for the projects, if you are interested.