A2 Debate Motions for Pre-Teens (10-12)

Activity

Debate

Age group

pre_teens

Level

A2 Elementary

Watch a tutorial on how to run this activity with your class

Explore More Questions

Other Levels

A2 Elementary B1 Intermediate B2 Upper-Intermediate C1 Advanced

Other Age Groups

Adults (18+)

A2 Debate Motions for Pre-Teens (10-12)

Pre-teens love to argue about what is fair and what is not. These 75 motions channel that natural instinct into English-speaking practice. Every motion is something a 10-12 year old has a strong opinion about: 'Dogs are better than cats,' 'Break time should be longer,' 'Everyone should eat vegetables every day.' The A2 language means children understand the motion instantly and can focus entirely on arguing their case.

At this age and level, debate is more about the energy of participation than the quality of arguments. A 10-year-old who shouts 'No! Cats are better because they are quiet and clean!' has produced a claim with two reasons, which is excellent output for A2. The team format amplifies this because children egg each other on and build on each other's ideas.

Channelling pre-teen energy into English

Keep everything fast: 20-30 seconds per speaker, 2 minutes of team preparation, rapid topic changes. Pre-teens at A2 lose focus during long debates but thrive in quick rounds. Aim for 3-4 different motions in a 15-minute debate session rather than one extended debate.

Arguments as language practice

Celebrate enthusiasm over accuracy. A pre-teen who argues passionately with imperfect grammar is practising more valuable communication skills than one who produces a perfect sentence reluctantly. The corrections can come later; the willingness to speak in English must be nurtured now.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can 10-year-olds at A2 really debate?▾

Yes, in a simplified format. Keep speeches to 20-30 seconds, use very concrete motions, and provide sentence starters. The energy and willingness to participate is usually much higher than teachers expect.

Are these motions suitable for schools?▾

Yes. All motions focus on pets, food, school, hobbies, and simple fairness. Nothing is controversial or potentially upsetting. They are designed for the most conservative school settings.

How often should pre-teens debate?▾

Once a week is ideal. Short debate sessions (10-15 minutes) as a regular weekly feature give pre-teens something to look forward to and provide consistent speaking practice in an engaging format.