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Debates and Discussions: Proven Ways to Sharpen Speaking Skills

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Have you ever found yourself nervous about speaking in English? Maybe you’re worried you’ll say the wrong word or you’ll struggle to keep a conversation going. Don’t worry—you’re not alone! Learning how to speak confidently is one of the biggest challenges when learning English. But guess what? Debating and discussing are some of the best tools to sharpen your conversation skills.

At ES London, English speaking courses are designed to make learning practical and engaging, with debates and group discussions at the heart of the lessons. If you’re searching ‘learn English classes near me,’ this could be your perfect opportunity to sharpen your conversation skills while having fun.

Are you curious about how this works? Let’s take a closer look!

What are Debates and Discussions, and Why Do They Matter?

  • A Debate is when two or more people share different opinions on a topic. For example:
  • “Is social media good or bad for young people?”
  • “Should everyone learn a second language?”

In a debate, you express your ideas, listen to others, and respond to their points.

A Discussion is similar but more relaxed. It’s like a group chat where everyone shares thoughts and ideas. There’s no “winning”—just lots of speaking and learning.

How Debates Work in Our English Speaking Classes

At ES London, speaking classes include debates and discussions to help you gain real confidence in English. You won’t just learn words and grammar—you’ll use them in exciting ways. Here’s how debates and discussions are introduced step by step:

1. Preparing for the Debate

Before starting a debate, your teacher will introduce a simple topic. It could be:

  • “Is it better to live in the countryside or the city?”
  • “Do we need homework to learn effectively?”

You’ll learn useful words, phrases, and grammar to talk about the topic. For example:

  • “I believe…”
  • “On the other hand…”
  • “In my opinion…”

What’s the benefit? You’ll build your vocabulary and learn how to organise your thoughts in English.

2. Sharing Your Ideas

During the debate, you’ll get a chance to share your ideas with your classmates. Don’t worry—it’s not about being perfect. The goal is to practise speaking clearly, even if you make mistakes.

For example, if the topic is about technology, you might say:

  • “I believe technology helps us because it makes communication faster.”

What’s the benefit? Speaking in front of others builds confidence, and you’ll learn to express your thoughts more naturally.

3. Listening to Others and Responding

In any good debate, listening is as important as speaking. You’ll listen to your classmates’ opinions and respond politely. Your teacher will help you with phrases like:

  • “I understand your point, but I think…”
  • “That’s interesting! However, I feel…”

These phrases make you sound polite and natural when agreeing or disagreeing with someone.

What’s the benefit? You’ll improve your listening skills and learn how to respond quickly during conversations.

4. Learning from Feedback

At the end of the debate, your teacher will give you helpful feedback. This could include:

  • Correcting pronunciation or grammar.
  • Suggesting new words or phrases to use.
  • Encouraging you to speak more clearly and confidently.

Mistakes are normal—they’re part of the learning process. By practising debates regularly, you’ll get better and better.

Check out some fun themes and vocabulary you can use in class:

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How Discussions Help You Improve Your Conversation Skills

While debates focus on sharing different opinions, discussions are more relaxed and informal. In our speaking classes, group discussions help you:

  • Talk about everyday topics like travel, hobbies, or food.
  • Practise asking and answering questions naturally.
  • Improve your fluency by speaking for longer periods.

For example:

  • Teacher: “What’s your favourite place in London?”
  • You: “I love Hyde Park because it’s beautiful and peaceful.”

In discussions, there’s no pressure to “win.” It’s all about building confidence, learning new vocabulary, and enjoying the conversation.

5 Ways Debates and Discussions Improve Your English

1. You Speak More Naturally

Through regular debates, you’ll learn how to express yourself clearly and fluently. You’ll also practise using linking words like because, so, and however, which make you sound more natural.

2. You Learn to Think Quickly

In a debate, you need to think of ideas and respond quickly. This helps in keeping your calm and stay focused during real conversations, like ordering food or asking for directions in London.

3. You Gain Confidence

Speaking in front of others can feel scary at first, but the more you practise, the more confident you become. Soon, you’ll be chatting easily in English without even thinking about it.

4. You Improve Your Vocabulary

Debates introduce new words and phrases you can use in everyday life. For example, during a debate about travel, you might learn words like adventure, budget, and destination.

5. You Practise Listening and Responding

In every conversation, listening is as important as speaking. By listening to others’ opinions and responding politely, you’ll learn how to keep conversations going naturally.

Why ES London is the Best Place to Practise Speaking

Here’s why students love our English classes in London:

  • Friendly teachers who encourage you to speak confidently.
  • Interactive lessons with debates, discussions, and role-plays.
  • Small class sizes, so you get plenty of speaking time.
  • A welcoming environment where you can practise English with students from around the world.

Debates and discussions are not just classroom activities—they’re practical tools that prepare you for real-life conversations. Whether you’re exploring London, making new friends, or preparing for a job, you’ll use these skills every day. At ES London, our goal is to help you speak clearly, confidently, and naturally. If you want to improve your conversation skills while having fun, our English courses in London are perfect for you.

Ready to speak confidently? Join us today and see how much progress you can make! Let’s learn, debate, and discuss together.

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