<p>Shaping and Moderating Debates: Materials Suggestions/Ideas (AUC, 1.2.11) By Peter A. Bohan, English Language Fellow (Armenia)</p><p>Publications Materials </p><p>1. Discussion Starters, Keith S. Folse, Michigan Press. This is a very useful book and contains a variety of materials: problem solving tasks, court cases, role-play, questionnaires, and discussion topics with questions. (low intermediate to advanced proficiency levels)</p><p>2. More Discussion Starters, Keith S. Folse & Jeanine Ivone, Michigan Press. (same as above) (low intermediate to advanced proficiency levels)</p><p>3. Instant Discussions, Richard MacAndrew with Ron Martinez, Thomson & Heinle.(Another useful book, less controversial topics: topics are set forth with focused vocabulary, idiomatic expressions, and focused discussion questions. (low intermediate to advanced proficiency levels) </p><p>4. Taboos and Issues, Richard MacAndrew & Ron Martinez, Thomson & Heinle (Similar to the above, topics are more controversial in this book: mid-high intermediate to advanced proficiency levels)</p><p>5. Speaking Personally, Gillian Porter Ladousse, Cambridge Univ. Press (This book is a little less current, but still useful. Contains a wide range of activities/tasks, questionnaires, quizzes, role plays, language focus, and games.: pre-intermediate to high intermediate proficiency levels)</p><p>6. I Think You Think, L G Alexander, R H Kingsbury, Longman (Less current, but similar to the above publication)</p><p>7. Reading Extra, Liz Driscoll, Cambridge Univ. Press (Tasks, role plays, games and activities: elementary to upper-intermediate proficiency levels) </p><p>8. Speaking Extra, Mick Gammidge, Cambridge Univ. Press (Similar to the above publication) </p><p>9. Compelling Conversations, An Engaging ESL Textbook for Advanced Students, Questions and Quotations on Timeless Topics, Eric H. Roth, Toni Aberson, Chimayo Press (Focused questions, more suited to a role play, but can be adapted as needed; website has free materials available. Also provides some proverbs/idioms related to the context of the discussion questions; intermediate to upper-intermediate) 10. Conversation Gambit, Real English Conversation Practices, Eric Keller & Sylvia T. Warner, Language Teaching Publications (Maybe most useful as a warmer or if a focus on form goal of lesson, emphasizes lexical chunks in specific situations: pre-intermediate to upper-intermediate proficiency levels)</p><p>11. Discussions A-Z Advanced, A Resource Book of Speaking Activities, Adrian Wallwork, Cambridge University Press (also for intermediate, upper-intermediate proficiency levels)</p><p>12. Keep Talking, Communicative fluency activities for language teaching, Friederike Klippel, Cambridge University Press</p><p>Websites http://www.esldiscussions.com/ (a useful resource for a wide range of topics that have questions that are set up for role play activities which can be easily adapted) http://www.procon.org/ - (a great website with controversial topics, pro and con arguments outlined, video clips discussion questions, relevant news articles) http://www.compellingconversations.com/ (downloadable pdf files with topics that have focused questions on a variety of topics) http://iteslj.org/questions/ (loads of topics, questions prepared and easily adapted) http://www.ted.com/ (video clips of a wide range of topics; may be used as an introduction to a topic to generate thought on a particular topic) http://www.fora.tv/ (similar to the above: video clips) http://www.conversationcafe.org/ (resources and many downloadable useful ideas for crafting questions related to various topics that can be adapted; a great resource) http://publicconversations.org/ (more topics, more useful ideas) http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/ (another useful one with many current topics from news stories ((shortened)) with lessons plans, focused vocabulary, http://www.famouspeoplelessons.com/ (another great site from Sean Banville for discussions and comparisons about why someone admires a particular famous person) </p>