Category: Starter Debate Lessons

Exotic Pet Ownership Should Be Restricted

Exotic pet ownership is on the rise and presents a multitude of problems. Exotic pets should be left to professional handlers and zoo keepers and organisations that have the training, expertise and licenses to maintain and care for these animals. Level: Intermediate: B1/B2 Running Time: 90 minutes + Materials included This free lesson plan is suitable for adults, teenagers, and...

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Windrush Generation: Who Are They and Why Are They Facing Problems?

If you’ve been watching the news of late, especially in the UK, then you will have heard news of a group of people who are being targeted by the government. We’re not talking any specific religion or creed, but that of Commonwealth citizens from the Caribbean. Citizens of the British Empire who came to the UK between 1948 and 1971...

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Democracy Is the Best Form of Government

Churchill once said “Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all those other forms that been tired from time to time”. Just like any complex system it is never perfect. So, are there any ways to improve democracy. Level: Intermediate: B1/B2 Running Time: 90 minutes + Materials included This free lesson plan is suitable for adults, teenagers, and...

Categories Starter Debate Lessons

Mothers Should Stay at Home and Look After Children

Women are being bombarded with messages that they can ‘have it all’, marriage, children and develop a career just so they can be seen as a successful woman. There are consequences to pursuing these lifestyle choices. Children are often looked after by a nanny, mothers are working over-time at work, and family life is neglected. Others say that paid work...

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All Drugs Should Be Decriminalised

The common perception is that such substances should be banned in order to protect society from their harmful effects. But do these issues really limit the excessive use of drugs or on the contrary, increase the interest in them? From ancient times people all over the globe have considered that the forbidden fruit tastes the sweetest but can we apply...

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Teachers should be allowed to teach creationism in schools

In 2012 a US state passed a law which protects teachers who choose to teach creationism. This is a theory that the Earth and the universe was created by God, and that there is scientific information to justify this concept. This means it will be taught alongside evolutionary theory during science classes. Many believe this to be a mistake that...

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Advertising Is Harmful

In 2011 Google was reported to say that online advertising alone could be worth more than $24 billion a year. It has grown significantly and in 2017 it is now worth $160 billion. With such money pouring into the industry, what is it actually doing to us all? Surely having all these ads online and in every public space from...

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Every Child Should Have a Mobile Phone?

Should children have mobile phones (or cell phones in American English). This doesn’t mean they must have one and carry it with them everywhere. It is simply the option to have one if they want to, but given the choice, would they refuse? Invented in 1973 as an expensive technology for the rich and important, to almost a six billion...

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Wildlife Trafficking Should Be Banned

At the core of the illegal wildlife trafficking is a strong and rapidly expanding demand for a variety of products from around the world, such as bush meat, ingredients for traditional Chinese medicine, exotic pets, jewellery, trinkets, and accessories such as chess sets, furs for uses ranging from coats to traditional costumes and trophies. Wildlife trafficking is detrimental to the...

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University Education Should Be Free

Many countries provide free education to children under 16, which is generally accepted. When it comes to university education there is a great variation as some countries like the UAE and Germany offers this for free and very cheaply, respectively. Others however, like the US and Hong Kong, the cost is soaring and can cost up to $50,000 per year....

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Reality Television Does More Harm Than Good

Reality shows are incredibly popular. With blockbusting shows like Survivor, Big Brother, The Apprentice, and American Idol all attracting massive audiences each week. Documentaries trying to explore social situations don’t have such an appeal because they don’t feel real enough. Reality is often criticised as it doesn’t show a true representation of life, but an idealised version. Level: Intermediate: B1/B2...

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Pets Should Be Allowed in Nursing Homes

Many assisted living facilities and nursing homes are allowing residents to bring their pets to live in their housing communities. Nursing homes are starting to bring in therapy dogs from outside their community to visit with residents suffering from Alzheimer’s, Dementia and those in Hospice. Pets bring comfort and joy to residents and bring comfort to those who are dying....

Categories Starter Debate Lessons