Argumentation CPD
In verbal tennis the students develop skills of listening and responding to each other in pairs. In the first two films, the teacher introduces the task, then in each pair one student begins by naming an animal and the other student has to respond with another animal. The task then becomes more focused, the students have to listen more carefully and think of an animal that is related in some way.
Watch these three film clips that show the teacher setting up verbal tennis:
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Video 1 - Introducing verbal tennis
The teacher introduces simple verbal tennis in the context of animals.
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Video 2 - Student participation
Students participate in verbal tennis related to animals.
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Video 3 - Extending verbal tennis
The teacher increases the challenge of verbal tennis in the context of animals. Students are asked to ensure that there is a link between their animal and the one chosen by their partner. Note how the teacher emphasises the need to listen carefully to each other. He does this as listening is an important skill in argumentation, and one that students need to practice. The activity could be extended by asking the students to justify to each other why the animals are related.
