When I asked my beginner ESL class to debate “Which animal makes a better pet: cats or dogs?”, I didn’t expect much beyond a few smiles.
But one quiet student suddenly jumped up and announced, “Dogs are better because they love you back!” Her classmates laughed, clapped, and joined in—and just like that, the whole group was speaking more English than ever before.
That’s the power of a well-run ESL debate: when students care about the topic, confidence follows naturally.
In this post, we’ll walk through how to introduce ESL debates to your class, what topics to use for beginner through advanced students, and practical tips for setting up successful classroom debates (even online!).
Why Use ESL Debates in the Classroom?
ESL debates offer meaningful opportunities for students to:
- Use English spontaneously and in real-time
- Learn to express agreement or disagreement respectfully
- Develop organized thinking and clear communication
- Expand vocabulary around specific themes
- Practice fluency in a fun, engaging format
ESL debates can also build confidence and foster collaboration. Students often surprise themselves with how much they can say when they’re passionate about a topic!
How to Set Up an ESL Debate (Even in Online Classes!)
Use these steps to set up an ESL debate, whether you’re in-person or teaching online:
- Choose a Level-Appropriate Topic – Keep it light for beginners and more complex for advanced learners. I’ve found that even beginner students can debate successfully when the topic feels playful or personal. “Cats vs. Dogs” or “Ice cream vs. Cake” always get the biggest smiles during my Level 2 Florentis lessons!
- Pre-Teach Vocabulary and Useful Phrases – Provide sentence stems like “I think…”, “In my opinion…”, or “I disagree because…”
- Assign Sides and Let Students Prepare – Allow some prep time for brainstorming or writing down key points. Consider sharing a debate planner with students to assist them.
- Model the Debate First – Show a short example with a co-teacher or volunteer student. Don’t skip this step! When I model a debate (even acting a little dramatic), students relax instantly. They realize it’s about expressing ideas, not perfection.
- Set Clear Time Limits – For lower levels, keep turns short (30 seconds to 1 minute).
- Use Visual Aids or Slides – Especially for online classes, slides can support comprehension and structure.
- Keep It Friendly and Fun – Remind students that the goal of ESL debates is to practice speaking, not “win.”
Dividing the Class
The class should be divided evenly. You may start by surveying the actual opinion of students on the topic, and divide students according to their real preferences, but an arbitrary assignment of students to opposing sides will force all students to see both sides of the question, which is important. Choose one or two group leaders for each group. This leader will take notes when the opposing team speaks, and organize the main ideas of their own team’s turns during the preparation rounds.
Speaking Phrases for ESL Debates
Provide these phrases to help students participate confidently:
- I agree/disagree because…
- That’s a good point, but…
- I think…
- In my opinion…
- Can I add something?
- I see your point, but I believe…
ESL Debate Topics by Level
| Beginners (A1 – A2) | Intermediate (B1 – B2) | Advanced (B2 and up) | |
| Topics | Cats are better than dogs. We should have school every day. Ice cream is better than cake. Summer is better than winter. Kids should have mobile phones. | Students should have a 4-day school week. Teenagers should get paid to do chores. Online learning is better than classroom learning. Everyone should learn a second language. Social media helps people stay connected. | Artificial intelligence will do more good than harm. Fast food should be banned in schools. Climate change is the most important issue today. Influencers have too much power. Space exploration is a waste of money. |
| Tips for Success | Use visuals for each side. Allow prep time with key vocabulary. Encourage short, clear responses. | Encourage students to give 2-3 supporting reasons. Use breakout rooms for prep discussions. Provide openers and transitions. | Use articles or short videos for pre-reading. This helps develop new vocabulary skills. Let students write short opening/closing statements. Encourage rebuttals and follow-up questions for dynamic ESL debates. |
My students love debating “Online learning vs. classroom learning.” It’s amazing how passionately they defend their experiences—especially when they recognize slides and visuals from lessons we’ve already done in Florentis Learning.
Beyond the Debate: Extension Ideas
- Reflection Writing: Students write about their real opinion after the debate.
- Role Reversal: Students switch sides and debate again.
- Mini-Judges: Other students vote on strongest arguments.
- Debate Journal: Keep track of new vocabulary and phrases. Students can write sentences with their new vocabulary words.
For more speaking tips, check out 8 No-Prep Speaking Activities for ESL Teachers: Fun and Engaging Ideas.
For more ideas on how to organize and structure your debate, check out this resource for teachers from the Canadian Students Debating Federation.
Conclusion
ESL debates are one of my favorite ways to help students really use their English.
When you see a quiet learner suddenly argue passionately about whether ice cream is better than cake—you know they’re not just memorizing words anymore. They’re thinking, reacting, and connecting in English.
🌿 Ready to try it out?
I’ve created three debate-ready lesson slide decks for Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced ESL students—complete with visuals, vocabulary, and sentence starters.
🌿 Try Free Sample LessonsThese lessons are part of the Florentis Learning curriculum, built to help teachers deliver confident, engaging ESL lessons without hours of prep.
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