Debate training – Active listening
Objective:
Students learn and practise active listening skills in order to engage in constructive and respectful debate. They reflect on the importance of this skill for exchanging arguments and promoting mutual understanding.
Contents and methods:
The worksheet introduces the basics of active listening and illustrates its importance in debates and everyday life. Using a mini-debate on a selected topic, pupils practise listening attentively to arguments, summarising them and building on them. They use predefined sentence starters to create a flowing dialogue.
Skills:
- Active listening and empathy
- Ability to argue and change perspectives
- Reflection and self-awareness
- Structured documentation of arguments
Target group and level:
from Year 7 onwards
90 other teachers use this template
Target group and level
Grade 7 and above
Subjects
Debate training – Active listening
Introduction
Active listening is an important skill for conducting constructive and respectful debates. It is not just about hearing the other person's words, but also about truly understanding the message and responding appropriately. In this exercise, you will learn to listen to your conversation partners attentively and appreciatively.
„The biggest barrier to communication is not that we don't listen, but that we are only waiting to respond.“
📝 What do you think about this statement? Write down your thoughts.
The Importance of Active Listening in Debates and Daily Life
Active listening is a crucial skill that holds significant importance both in debates and everyday interactions. It involves not merely hearing the words spoken by others, but also comprehending their meanings and emotions. This ability enhances mutual respect, fosters understanding, and aids in problem-solving.
In the realm of debates, active listening facilitates a deeper engagement with the arguments presented by the other party. Rather than impatiently waiting for one's turn to speak, the listener focuses on grasping the speaker's perspective. This understanding can lead to the formulation of more precise and well-founded counterarguments, as one is already aware of the opposing viewpoints and can address them effectively. Active listening thereby contributes to the quality and depth of the discussion, reducing misunderstandings and preventing unnecessary conflicts.
In daily life, active listening plays an equally vital role. It strengthens interpersonal relationships, as conversation partners feel appreciated and understood. By listening attentively, misunderstandings can be avoided, and collaborative solutions to problems can be found. This is especially significant within families, friendships, and workplaces. Empathetic listening fosters trust and cooperation, which in turn cultivates a positive and productive atmosphere.
Moreover, active listening offers personal benefits. It enhances one's patience and empathy, leading to improved self-reflection. Those who engage in active listening take the time to understand others' thoughts and feelings, thereby increasing their emotional intelligence. This growth in emotional awareness not only enriches personal interactions but also contributes to better mental well-being and social harmony.
📌 In the following, you will practise active listening. First, familiarise yourself with the topic by reading the text.
Social inequality of women – is it fair that women earn less than men?
The question of whether it is fair that women earn less than men is complex and multifaceted. To engage in a well-rounded debate, it is vital to explore various perspectives and background information.
Firstly, it is important to note that wage inequality between men and women is a globally recognized issue. According to the Gender Pay Gap Report by the World Economic Forum, women earn approximately 16% less than men worldwide. In Germany, the wage gap stands at around 18%, as reported by the Federal Statistical Office. These figures raise questions about the reasons behind these disparities and whether they are justified.
A frequently cited reason for wage inequality is the difference in career choices between men and women. Women often choose professions in the social sector, which tend to be less well-paid than technical or scientific fields, typically chosen by men. Critics of this view argue that the compensation for certain jobs is not based on their societal value but rather on historical and cultural factors that systematically disadvantage women.
Another aspect to consider is part-time employment. In Germany, approximately 48% of employed women work part-time, compared to only 11% of men. This is frequently attributed to family responsibilities. The tasks of child-rearing and household management still predominantly fall to women, limiting their career opportunities and income. Advocates for a fairer distribution of household work argue that a more balanced division of family responsibilities could lead to a reduction in the wage gap.
Additionally, the concept of the "glass ceiling" plays a significant role. Women are underrepresented in leadership positions. According to a study by the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW), the proportion of women on the boards of the 200 largest companies in Germany was only 11% in 2020. This suggests that women, despite having equal qualifications and similar professional experience, are less frequently promoted than their male colleagues. Some researchers view this as structural discrimination, exacerbated by stereotypical role models and prejudices.
Various measures have been implemented by companies and policymakers to combat wage inequality. For instance, certain countries have enacted laws on pay transparency, allowing employees to view the salaries of their colleagues. This aims to uncover and eliminate unjustified pay disparities. However, discussions continue on whether such measures are sufficient or if further steps are necessary to achieve true equality.
Another topic often discussed in this context is parental leave. In countries like Sweden, parents can equally share parental leave, leading to increased involvement of fathers in child-rearing and simultaneously improving the career prospects of women. Whether similar models can be adapted to other countries and what impact they might have on wage inequality remains an open question.
The inquiry into whether wage inequality is fair invites further exploration into societal norms, economic structures, and legislative frameworks, encouraging a comprehensive analysis by students, policymakers, and other stakeholders.
📝 The text contains pro and contra arguments. Collect and organise the arguments in the table so that you can use them for the mini-debate.
📌 Now the mini-debate begins in pairs. One person takes the pro side and one person takes the con side. Now one person states an argument, the other summarises it in their own words and then introduces a new argument that builds on it or counters it. This is similar to ping-pong, creating a flowing dialogue. Use these sentence starters:
- ‘It's important to you that…’
- ‘You value…’
- ‘I now understand that you…’
- ‘You say/mean that…’
- ‘…and I mean that…’
📝 Reflection
