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Speed Debate
Students have 60 seconds to argue for a position then swap â fast talking fluency builder.
âą 15-20 min⥠Medium energyðĨ Pairs or whole class
ð Vocabulary
âĒ opinion language
âĒ arguing
âĒ agreeing
âĒ disagreeing
âĒ I think
âĒ because
âĒ however
ð Materials
âĒ Timer
âĒ Debate topic cards or topics on board
ð How to Play
- Students work in pairs facing each other.
- Teacher announces a topic â "Summer is better than winter."
- Student A argues FOR the statement for 60 seconds without stopping.
- They must keep talking â even if they repeat themselves or hesitate.
- After 60 seconds Student B argues AGAINST for 60 seconds.
- Then both students swap positions and argue the opposite side.
- Class votes on who argued most convincingly.
- Move to a new topic and new partners.
ðĄ Teacher Tips
âThe key rule is students must keep talking for the full 60 seconds â no silences.
âThis is the single best activity for building spoken fluency quickly.
âUse light-hearted topics â food, animals, school subjects, seasons.
âPre-teach argument phrases â I think, because, for example, on the other hand.
ð Variations
âReduce to 30 seconds for beginners â increase to 90 for advanced.
âWhole class debate â one side of the room argues for, other side against.
âWrite the arguments first before speaking them aloud.
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