USING CONTROVERSIAL DIALOGUES AND ROLE PLAY IN THE

USING CONTROVERSIAL DIALOGUES AND ROLE PLAY IN THE TEFL CLASSROOM Rashid A. Moore Nova Southeastern University TESOL FRANCE 2005 November 18, 2005 Rashid A. Moore TESOL FRANCE November 18, 2005

What is a Structured Controversial Dialogue (SCD)? l adaptation of the constructive controversy l utilizes a cooperative learning strategy where students work in small groups, argue multiple sides of an issue in the hope of moving students from their advocacy position to a position that considers or synthesizes all perspectives. Rashid A. Moore TESOL FRANCE November 18, 2005

What is an SCD? l Instead of using more formal academic language features, structured controversial dialogues allow students to frame complex thoughts in a simplified language that resembles social conversational language. l Because of an ELL's greater familiarity with spoken language features, the SCD provides natural scaffolding for students to understand interpret complex content and reasoning. Rashid A. Moore TESOL FRANCE November 18, 2005

Advantages of Using SCDs l l l searching for information and new experiences to resolve a dilemma or an uncertainty organizing information preparing an advocacy position and rationalizing the position Rashid A. Moore TESOL FRANCE November 18, 2005

Advantages of Using SCDs l l seeing issues from different perspectives and learning to debate the merits of each position synthesizing issues and conceptualizing a new position or reaching consensus based on careful analysis and evaluation of all positions of the issue. Rashid A. Moore TESOL FRANCE November 18, 2005

SCD Procedures 1 1. 2. 3. Students form groups of six and divide into 3 pairs. Each pair is assigned an advocacy position. Student pairs from different groups with the same positions can compare ideas after becoming familiar with the positions. Student pairs highlight the main arguments for their position. Rashid A. Moore TESOL FRANCE November 18, 2005

SCD Procedures 2 4. Student pairs return to their original group and present their position to the other two student pairs. Each pair then switches perspectives with the other two pairs and present the best case for the other two positions. Rashid A. Moore TESOL FRANCE November 18, 2005

SCD Procedures 3 5. Groups now prepare a short dialog discussing the three positions and provide supporting evidence. They may choose several characters to present different points of views. Each group must present a dilemma for the other groups to solve by posing a question that advocates three positions. Each dialog must be given a short title that captures the controversial problem. Rashid A. Moore TESOL FRANCE November 18, 2005

SCD Procedures 4 6. Groups exchange their dialogs and prepare a response to the dilemma. Students should drop their advocacy role and prepare a consensus report addressing the question posed Rashid A. Moore TESOL FRANCE November 18, 2005

Do SCDs take students to higher order thinking? l l l SCDs absolutely take students to higher levels of thinking through discussion and exposure to multiple perspectives 3 or more viewpoints would allow the student to go beyond dichotomous thinking – that is traditional “Side A or Side B” thinking as in a debate Can you think of a 3 rd or 4 th perspective that could be addressed in the Digital Pirates dialogue? Rashid A. Moore TESOL FRANCE November 18, 2005

Create a SCD for current events in France l You will create an SCD for a role play which discusses three distinct perspectives on the civil unrest in France recently. 1) The perspective of the rioters 2) The perspective of the French government 3) The perspective of a far-right wing political party Rashid A. Moore TESOL FRANCE November 18, 2005

Take into consideration such things as l l l Grievances of the North African and African immigrant communities in terms of racism, discrimination, lack of job opportunities, life in the suburbs, etc Concerns of the government in maintaining law and order, integrating immigrants into French society on government terms, financial constraints on new initiatives, etc. Beliefs of the right-wing political parties on the issue of immigration, role of immigrants in French society, notions of what it means to French, etc. Rashid A. Moore TESOL FRANCE November 18, 2005