B1 Debate Motions for Young Learners (7-9)
Watch a tutorial on how to run this activity with your class
Explore More Questions
B1 Debate Motions for Young Learners (7-9)
B1 young learners can debate with surprising sophistication when the topic captures their interest. These 75 motions are designed for gifted 7-9 year olds: 'Homework helps children learn,' 'It is important to share your toys,' 'Wild animals should not be kept as pets.' These are questions that children think about naturally, and the B1 language allows them to express their reasoning with reasons and examples.
At B1, young debaters can sustain a 30-second argument with a clear opinion and one or two supporting reasons. This is remarkable for 7-9 year olds and represents the beginning of genuine argumentative skill. The key is selecting motions where children have direct experience and strong feelings.
Developing young argumentative voices
Extend to 30 seconds per speaker and give teams 2 minutes to prepare. At B1, children can discuss strategy within their team: 'You say the first reason, I say the second reason.' This collaborative preparation is valuable language practice in itself.
Structure within fun
B1 young learners often produce debate arguments that are charmingly logical. A 7-year-old who says 'Wild animals should not be pets because they need lots of space and they might bite you and they want their family' has produced a three-point argument, which is a genuine achievement at this age.