How to use the platform

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What is debate-based teaching?

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Debate-based teaching uses structured discussion, argumentation, questioning and reflection to help students actively engage with subject content while developing critical thinking, communication and teamwork skills. For a short introduction, see “What Is Debate?” in the Methodological Guide; for practical classroom use, see “Debate methodology in everyday class,” which shows how debate can be integrated into regular lessons without running a full formal debate.
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See teachers' materials

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How the platform is organised

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The platform is organised around four connected resources. The Methodological Guide explains the principles and rationale of debate-based teaching, while the Debate Toolkit provides ready-to-use Debate Lessons and Topical Lessons. Also, Inclusion guidelines suggest how to adapt the materials according to various learners' needs. All of them are available under the Teacher’s Materials section in English, Croatian, Serbian, German, Italian and Dutch.

Teachers can access the two e-learning courses through the “Go to the courses” button in the navigation bar:

• Soft-skills development through debate-based teaching – Debate Lessons
• Civic competence development through debate-based teaching – Topical Lessons

The courses provide a guided, self-paced way to explore the materials and methodology.

After exploring the platform and its resources, we would be grateful if you could share your experience with us. You can access the short feedback form through the “Do you have feedback?”  button on the upper right part of the platform. Your responses will help us improve the platform.

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Debate lessons

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Debate Lessons are structured lessons that gradually introduce students to debate and develop soft and transferable skills such as critical thinking, argumentation, research, public speaking, teamwork and active listening. They cover core debate skills including motion analysis, building arguments, case building, refutation, questioning and public speaking, and are available in the Debate Toolkit under the Basic Track and Advanced Track.

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Go to the debate lessons

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Topical lessons

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Topical Lessons are ready-to-use lessons that explore real-world social, civic, economic and cultural issues through debate-based methods. They cover areas such as civic education, media literacy, human rights, gender equality, diversity, European citizenship, entrepreneurship and technology, while supporting the development of critical thinking, communication, argumentation and civic competences.They are available in the Debate Toolkit, under the Topical Lesson Plans section.

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Go to the topical lessons

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Recommended learning path

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If you are new to debate-based teaching, start with the Methodological Guide to understand the basic principles, purpose and structure of debate in VET. Then move to the Debate Toolkit, where you can follow the suggested Basic Track before progressing to the Advanced Track. The two e-learning courses can then support your self-paced professional development and help you work through the materials in a guided digital format. 

Teachers who already have previous debate knowledge can go directly to the Advanced Track in the Debate Toolkit or select individual lessons and resources according to their needs. 

Inclusion guidelines are designed to be helpful not only for debate-based teaching, but for everyday teaching, so they are useful for all levels of learning.