C1 Debate Motions for Pre-Teens (10-12)
Watch a tutorial on how to run this activity with your class
Explore More Questions
C1 Debate Motions for Pre-Teens (10-12)
C1 pre-teen debaters are a joy to teach. They combine near-native fluency with the fearless certainty of childhood, producing arguments that are both linguistically impressive and refreshingly direct. These 75 motions present philosophical dilemmas that challenge even adult thinkers: 'Is it ever right to break a promise?' 'Does technology make people smarter or lazier?' 'Should everyone be treated exactly equally, even if they are not equal?'
At C1, debate develops the highest-order speaking skills: constructing extended arguments, deploying hedging and concession strategically, and responding to challenges in real time. For near-native pre-teens, this is not language learning but intellectual development through language, and the debate format provides the perfect structure for it.
Philosophical debate for exceptional young speakers
Use 90-second speeches with a 45-second rebuttal. C1 pre-teens can sustain well-structured arguments at this length. Encourage them to use the rebuttal to directly engage with the opposition's strongest point rather than their weakest, which develops intellectual honesty alongside language skills.
Competition-ready skills
These motions prepare gifted pre-teens for debate competitions, Model UN, and public speaking events. The ability to construct a compelling argument on an unfamiliar topic within minutes is a skill that transfers to every academic context.