Role-play debates
Role-play debates are a great way to expose an entire class to the benefits of debating. In this format, groups of pupils take on the role of different groups of people affected by an issue and present their views to each other.
This format is especially good way of getting pupils to think about different points of view, and to involve a large group in coming up with ideas.
Learning objectives
- To encourage peer assessment and peer teaching.
- To help improve quick thinking skills
- To help improve critical thinking skills
- To help improve confidence
- To help improve general communication skills
- To encourage pupils to question a point of view
- To encourage teamwork
- To encourage an expression of views and debate on issues and current affairs
Resources
Role-play debate - Tourism Impact
PDF file: Role-play debate: Tourism Impact (51KB)
Role-play debate - Local Bypass
PDF file: Role-play debate: Local Bypass (48KB)
Activity
Role-play debates should be introduced to a class that has prior knowledge of debating and, as they are relatively short, the preparation lesson and debate lesson can take place as one (ie the preparation for the debate should take place directly before the debate).
At the beginning of the lesson, the roles of chairperson and reporter should be appointed and the rest of the class should be divided into four groups and assigned a role.
Other role-play debates
Whilst there are two detailed examples given here, teachers are encouraged to think up their own role-play debates. These can be much simpler and do not necessarily need to have background sheets and role cards.
Planning meeting (15-20 minutes)
The groups should work together for 15-20 minutes. During this time, the groups should read over the background sheet and work out what their group’s position will be at the community meeting.
Each group should be given the background sheet and appropriate role card so that they can understand the issues at stake in the role-play debate and can formulate their group’s position.
Each group should allocate a member of the group to make a speech at the community meeting to describe the views of the group. Although there will be four people speaking at the community meeting, other members of the groups will be allowed to ask questions.
To make sure the chairperson and reporter are involved, they can rotate amongst the groups at this stage.
The community meeting (30-35 minutes)
At the community meeting, the chairperson should call the meeting to order and introduce the various groups. The chairperson will also introduce the nominated speaker from each group.
The chairperson should call upon the group that called the meeting (indicated in each example) to explain why they called the meeting and to outline their position (the speaker will have 3 minutes).
After they have spoken, the chairperson should then introduce the other group representatives in turn and they will each have 3 minutes to explain their group’s position to the audience and give their suggestions for a fair outcome.
The chairperson should then ask the rest of the audience if they have any questions and should take questions from the floor. The reporter(s) can ask questions during this period. The questions from the floor should take no more than 5 minutes.
After the questions, each group representative should be asked to give a 2-minute summary of their favoured outcome. At the end of the summary section, the chairperson should make a list of points that all the representatives agrees on and ensure there are some definite outcomes. However, in some circumstances, groups will not come to an overall agreement. The chairperson can, if they wish, hold a vote on the matter.
Follow-up
As a follow-up, the reporter(s) can prepare about the role-play debates for the following class. If there are two or more reporters, ask them to report in different styles (see Debating with reporters).
Teacher notes
How to assess progress
Do the pupils understand the concepts behind role-play debating?