Great Debates

24 of the Most Important Questions in Modern Society for Teachers of ESL & EAP

Non-Fiction - Education
310 Pages
Reviewed on 12/02/2012
Buy on Amazon

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Yasmin Rasidi for Readers' Favorite

An English teacher does not only teach English as a subject, especially in the case of those who teach General English in higher levels or conversation classes. They have to keep updated with the latest issues in the world, from the US election to celebrity gossip. One of the most favorite activities for conversation class (besides role-play) is, of course, debate as this is the best method where students are encouraged to speak up, express themselves, voice their opinion and to be whatever they want to be. However, most teachers often have no idea about what they are going to do, what topic they can discuss, or in some cases the topic may be good but students find it too hard or serious. This book covers several hot topics that can be used in classroom debates, such as drugs, politics, social issues, natural disaster and so on. Furthermore, there are also explanations on vocabularies related to each issue, very useful for teachers to enhance their students' vocabulary.

Well, as I used to teach conversation class, I think this book can be one of the most recommended books for ESL teachers and trainers. Actually, students love debating where they can attack each other but still have some fun at the same time, but it depends on teachers how they lead the class. I find the topics here are relevant to what is happening now and teachers can relate the topic to specific cases that are taking place in countries where teachers and students live. In addition, teachers can widen the topic and teach the vocabulary exercises given in the book in a fun and exciting way. Make sure teachers highlight the three important factors in debating: Matter (the issue), Method (how students organize their speech) and Manner (the way students convey the message). This interesting book really gives teachers fresh ideas on what to do in a classroom.