B2 young learners are near-native speakers who benefit from debate as a thinking exercise rather than a language exercise. These 75 motions present ethical and practical dilemmas scaled to a child's world: 'It is wrong to keep fish in small bowls,' 'Children should help decide school rules,' 'It is better to read books than watch films.' These motions have no obvious right answer, which forces children to reason and justify rather than simply assert.
At B2, the language is not the challenge but the reasoning is. Children must learn to construct arguments with supporting logic, consider why someone might disagree, and respond to challenges. These are cognitive skills that debate develops uniquely well.
Reasoning and debate for near-native children
Extend to 45 seconds per speaker and introduce a simple rebuttal: 'Tell the other team why their best reason is wrong.' This is cognitively demanding for 7-9 year olds but B2 speakers have the language to handle it. The rebuttal teaches children that good arguments address opposing views.
Thinking skills through argumentation
These motions work well in gifted programmes, international school enrichment, and bilingual education contexts. The debate format provides the intellectual challenge that near-native young learners crave but rarely find in standard English materials.
Frequently Asked Questions
Near-native speakers: bilingual children, international school students, or children who have lived in English-speaking countries. The language is not the challenge; the reasoning is.
Yes. All motions focus on children's experiences: animals, school, fairness, reading, and everyday ethics. Nothing is adult-oriented or potentially distressing.
Yes. These motions are ideal for primary school debate clubs where near-native speakers need structured argumentation practice with age-appropriate topics.