Debating EAP Worksheets, Activities & Games
Round-Robin Mini-Debates
EAP Debating Activity - Speaking: Debating, Guided Discussion, Self-reflection, Communicative Practice - Group Work
In this insightful debating activity, students rotate through three short debates on the same topic, taking turns to argue 'for', argue 'against', and moderate, reusing and improving good ideas as...
Academic Debate Challenge
EAP Debating Game - Speaking: Debating, Communicative Practice - Group Work
In this engaging debating game, students compete to win a series of mini-debates by using strategy cards to build and respond to academic arguments. To begin, the moderator draws a topic card, reads it aloud, and assigns one student to argue 'for' and...
Debate Rebuttals
EAP Debate Rebuttals Worksheet - Reading and Writing Exercises: Writing Paragraphs - Speaking Activity: Presenting Rebuttals, Freer Practice - Group Work
In this comprehensive debate rebuttals worksheet, students practice formulating and presenting rebuttals. First, students read a brief introduction to debate...
Let's Debate
EAP Debating Activity - Vocabulary Exercises: Categorising, Gap-fill - Speaking Activity: Debating, Freer and Communicative Practice - Pair Work
In this interesting debating skills activity, students practice phrases for expressing opinions, agreeing and disagreeing and then participate in a series of mini...
Structuring an Argument
EAP Structuring Arguments Worksheet - Reading and Writing Exercises: Matching, Writing Paragraphs, Revising - Speaking Activity: Presenting an Argument - Pair Work
In this useful structuring an argument worksheet, students learn, practice and present argument outlines and explanations. First, students match key...
That may be true, but...
EAP Counter-Arguments Activity - Reading, Writing and Speaking: Matching, Writing Sentences, Delivering Counter Arguments, Freer Practice - Pair Work
In this productive counter-arguments speaking activity, students practice using partial agreement to counter arguments. First, students match statements...
Common Logical Fallacies
EAP Logical Fallacies Worksheet - Reading and Writing Exercises: Matching, Categorising, Writing Sentences - Speaking Activity: Identifying - Group Work
In this free logical fallacies worksheet, students become familiar with 12 common informal logical fallacies and practice identifying them. To begin...
Debate Duel
EAP Debating Game - Speaking: Debating, Communicative Practice - Group Work
In this rewarding debating game, students compete in a series of short-form debates on contemporary issues, presenting arguments and rebuttals to persuade a judge and win topic cards. In groups, each student takes on the role of Starter, Challenger, or...
Understanding Academic Debates
EAP Academic Debates Worksheet - Reading Exercises: Short Answer Questions, Multiple Choice, True, False or Not Given Questions
Here is a useful academic debates worksheet that introduces students to the way academic debates are conducted. First, students read the Affirmative team's opening statement addressing the motion...
Understanding Academic Debating
Academic debating involves presenting a position on a proposition, supporting it with reasons and evidence, and responding to an opposing case. It develops students' ability to explain their reasoning, listen critically and address points they may not personally agree with.
This page contains nine resources from intermediate (B1) to advanced (C1), including one free worksheet. The materials cover short debates, argument structure, partial agreement, rebuttals, logical fallacies and analysis of academic debate examples.
Use the language below to support clear exchanges. These examples are teaching suggestions, and debate roles and procedures should follow the format chosen for the lesson.
| Purpose | Useful language | Teaching focus |
|---|---|---|
| State a position | 'Our position is that...' | Address the proposition clearly before developing the argument. |
| Give a reason | 'One reason for this is...' | Explain how the reason supports the position. |
| Introduce evidence | 'The findings reported by... suggest that...' | Identify a real source and represent its findings accurately. |
| Acknowledge a point | 'That may be true in some cases, but...' | Recognise a valid point before explaining a limitation or disagreement. |
| Challenge reasoning | 'This example does not establish that...' | Identify the gap between the support offered and the conclusion drawn. |
| Request clarification | 'Could you explain how that supports your claim?' | Check understanding before responding. |
| Summarise a case | 'Our main reason for supporting this position is...' | Return to the central argument without simply repeating every point. |
How to Develop Academic Debating Skills
Separate assigned positions from personal beliefs: Explain that students may argue a side as a learning task. Choose suitable propositions and give preparation time so they can explore reasons for either position without being expected to disclose personal experiences.
Require support rather than confident delivery alone: Ask students to explain why an example or source supports their claim. For researched debates, check the accuracy and relevance of sources; never encourage invented statistics or quotations to make an argument sound convincing.
Make listening part of the task: Have students note the opposing claim before responding. Use agreed turn lengths and moderator roles to create opportunities for both sides to speak, then assess whether responses address the argument actually presented.
3-Step Framework for Teaching Academic Debating
Use these stages across lessons, adjusting the level of support to the class. Short role-rotation debates provide an accessible starting point, while the language and researched rebuttal stages draw on upper-intermediate resources.
1. Experience both sides and the moderator role: Students prepare briefly, present a short argument and respond to an opponent. Across three rounds, they change groups and rotate through arguing for, arguing against and moderating. Reflection afterwards helps them identify what to improve in their next debate.
2. Build a usable language repertoire: Students categorise phrases for opinions, agreement and disagreement, then complete a model debate dialogue. They apply the phrases in paired mini-debates, changing topics and switching sides. Encourage choices that express their intended response rather than inserting a phrase mechanically.
3. Prepare and present a supported rebuttal: Students examine a model rebuttal and approaches to responding to flawed arguments. They write responses, research supporting material and present their rebuttals. Discuss which response was persuasive and why, checking its relevance, reasoning and evidence rather than judging delivery alone.
Common Mistakes with Academic Debating
Responding to a stronger claim than the opponent made: Changing the opposing position makes a rebuttal less relevant. Misrepresentation: Responding to 'Some lectures could be recorded' with 'You want to replace every teacher with videos.' Relevant response: 'Which lectures would be recorded, and how would students ask questions?' Clarify the actual proposal before challenging it.
Repeating disagreement without explaining it: A different opinion is not yet a rebuttal. Unsupported response: 'That is wrong. I disagree.' Better approach: Identify the particular claim, explain a weakness in its reasoning or evidence, and support the response. Students can begin with 'This example does not support the wider claim because...' and complete it with a relevant explanation.
Common Questions About Teaching Academic Debating
What worksheet helps teach students to structure an argument?
The worksheet Structuring an Argument guides students through an argument outline and a fuller explanation using models. Pairs choose a resolution, develop their argument and review it with a checklist. They then present to other pairs, alternating who gives the outline and explanation, and discuss which argument was most convincing.
How can students practice responding to opposing arguments?
The activity That may be true, but... develops responses through partial agreement. Students match statements with counter-arguments, write opinions and consider the other side of each issue. They then exchange further statements with a partner and respond using the supplied phrases, practicing acknowledgement alongside a reasoned challenge.
What game helps students practice academic debating?
The game Academic Debate Challenge gives students strategy cards to use during short debates. They present opening statements, respond to an opponent and summarise their position. Afterwards, they explain how they used their strategies, and a moderator awards the round based on their effectiveness. Roles rotate across different topics.
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