MSI Press Blog

  Today's tip for parents from two talented teachers comes from  365 Teacher Secrets for Parents  by Cindy McKinley Alder and Patti Trombly.     #77 A Friendly Debate   Deliberation and debate are the ways you stir the soul of our democracy. ~ Jesse Jackson   You already know that discussing a book after reading it can greatly increase your child’s comprehension. If you want to liven up the discussion, try turning the discussion into a debate. Choose two different books to debate. Take turns “arguing” whose character is more believable, which plot was most exciting, or which book had the funniest scene. Choose a different story element each time you debate. (Idea #84 has story element ideas.) Your child will quickly realize that arguing intelligently is not as easy as she thinks. She won’t be able just to say her book’s plot was the most exciting; she’ll have to try to prove it with supporting details and information that will help val...

      Available for download, article from JDLS 8:  " Beyond the Language: Debating as High-Intensity Cultural Engagement & Leadership" (Emilie Cleret, French War College) Abstract: This article discusses the use of debating in senior professional military education (PME) at the French War College in Paris to help officers reach native-like English language competence.  In France, senior Professional Military Education (PME) is delivered by two schools – Ecole de Guerre (French War College) and Centre des hautes études militaires, (Centre for Higher Military Studies). This article explores the use of debating by the English Studies Department to support the officers’ effort to achieve a native-like level of second language (L2) competence during their one-year course in the French War College. The author’s perspective is that of a practitioner who heads this department, designs the courses, and manages the faculty that delivers them. All the members of the ...