During my second visit to the public schools and my second experience with ALIG, I wanted to share skills with the students that I find most valuable - public speaking and critical thinking. The best way of doing those was by having a casual "debate competition", because it would engage the students in a way they aren't used to, as well as being convenient as I do debate myself.
In terms of topics, we had some preliminary ideas, but after deliberating with members of ALIG staff, the teachers and the students themselves, we came up with three topics for the three different age groups:
There were clear challenges. First and foremost - language. As an Indian, I'm supposed to be fluent in Hindi, but to be honest, my skills are extremely limited. I can get my message across in simple conversation, but often I have to use English words or broken grammar. This is okay generally because my family members understand English, however the students spoke little to no English, so I had to rely on paraphrasing, and using my mother as a translator. As well as that, discipline and engagement from students was another massive issue.
In terms of topics, we had some preliminary ideas, but after deliberating with members of ALIG staff, the teachers and the students themselves, we came up with three topics for the three different age groups:
- Class 4-6: What is better to have for the ‘Midday meal’ - healthy food or unhealthy food?
- Class 7-8: Should physical education be compulsory in school?
- Class 9-10: What's better, reform or revolution?
There were clear challenges. First and foremost - language. As an Indian, I'm supposed to be fluent in Hindi, but to be honest, my skills are extremely limited. I can get my message across in simple conversation, but often I have to use English words or broken grammar. This is okay generally because my family members understand English, however the students spoke little to no English, so I had to rely on paraphrasing, and using my mother as a translator. As well as that, discipline and engagement from students was another massive issue.
