Debating in the Classroom - 6 simple ways to make it work (and why the noise is worth it).

If you’ve ever thought about running a debate in class and then just as quickly abandoned the idea, you’re not alone. The thought of thirty teenagers all arguing at once, with that one confident student doing all the heavy lifting, is enough to put anyone off.

Debating in the classroom doesn’t have to be chaos. With a few tweaks, it becomes one of the most powerful literacy tools you can use. It grows confident speakers, sharp listeners, stronger thinkers, and even better writers. Here are a few ideas on how to get it working in your classroom.

1. Start Small with Impromptu Speaking

Don’t jump straight into a full-blown debate. An easier entry point is the “one minute speech.” Give students a fun topic like That cats are better than dogs or That homework should be banned. They get 30 seconds to prepare, then one minute to talk.

The strength of this is how low-stakes it feels. Everyone has a go, arguments stay short, and the clarity of the argument matters more than length. You’ll get a mix of serious reasoning and fun creativity, and students quickly learn that thinking on your feet is something you can practise and improve.

2. Give Every Student a Role

Debates fall flat when only the loudest voices get heard. Spread the responsibility by assigning chairpersons, timekeepers, adjudicators, or note-takers alongside speakers.

This way, the whole class is engaged. Even quieter students are actively listening, summarising, and evaluating what they hear. ‘Supporting’ roles aren’t secondary. They’re powerful literacy practice in disguise, mirroring the skills used in text analysis and essay writing.

3. Scaffold Rebuttal

Left on their own, students often fall back on “You’re wrong” or “That’s dumb.” They need to see what a strong rebuttal looks like. A few sentence starters make all the difference:

• While that sounds reasonable, it ignores…

• A more important point to consider is…

Once they have the language, the shift is instant. You hear reasoning instead of put-downs, counterarguments instead of silence. And those skills transfer directly into essay writing.

4. Pick Moots They Actually Care About

A debate on something nobody cares about will die quickly. Choose topics close to their lives - phones in schools, homework bans, school uniforms.

They already have lived experience to draw from, so they jump in with more energy. Arguments feel authentic, and suddenly they are connecting personal stories to wider reasoning. That’s critical thinking in action.

5. Keep It Respectful

Debating can get fiery, and that’s part of the fun, but it’s also the perfect chance to show students that disagreement does not have to mean disrespect.

Model how to keep things on track by reminding them to attack the argument, not the person. Encourage language like “I disagree because…” rather than “That’s stupid.” And point out when someone makes a strong argument on the other side, even if it is one you want them to challenge.

When students see this in action, they learn that clashes don’t have to be personal, and the quality of every classroom discussion improves.

6. Try a Split Debate

If you are ready for some high-energy noise, try a split debate. Divide the class in half, give them a moot, and assign one side to argue for and the other against. No turns, just free-flowing argument.

It will be noisy. It might get messy. But everyone is pulled in. They think fast, listen closely, and sharpen their reasoning on the spot. A playful moot like That pineapple belongs on pizza works well for this format and keeps the mood light even as the arguments heat up.

The Wider Benefits of Debating

When you step back, you can see why debating is such a powerhouse. It covers every area of literacy:

• Speaking with fluency and persuasion

• Listening closely and spotting flaws

• Reading and researching for evidence

• Writing through structuring arguments and anticipating rebuttals

• Thinking critically under pressure

Add teamwork, confidence, and leadership, and you have a single activity doing a huge amount of work across the curriculum.

Debating is one of the most authentic ways for students to learn how to use language, test ideas, and grow as thinkers. With the right scaffolds, every student can take part, not just the natural performers.

If you’d like a shortcut, we’ve put together a Debating Teacher Guide + Student Slideshow with moots, handouts, and ready-to-go slides. It takes the chaos out and leaves you free to enjoy watching your students argue, laugh, and learn.

For a complete teachers' guide to debating - fully editable - click the image below!

---

STAY IN THE KNOW!

✿ Subscribe to our YouTube channel

✿ Follow us on TikTok

✿ Follow us on Instagram

✿ Follow our Facebook page

✿ Follow us on TPT.

📬Add some joy to your inbox📬

🥝 NZ Teachers, click here to subscribe for teaching tips and our latest products (or log in to the website then you can access our Freebies library too)!

🌎 Teachers from other parts of the world, click here to subscribe for teaching tips and our latest plus get instant access to our bank of freebies!