A debate: Should we defend the existence of a global language or should all languages be considered equal?

Students are going to participate in a role play, where they have to defend their points of view concerning the topic: Should we defend the existence of a global language or should all languages be considered equal?


They are going to work in groups of five. One of them is the moderator of the group (he/she will function as a journalist in a debate). Then there are three people who are going to defend the existence of a global language. Besides the English language, they can choose two other languages among: Spanish, Mandarin, Portuguese and Esperanto. Finally, there is a student who defends that all languages should be considered equal.

We have already chosen the groups and the role each element is going to play. Now they are preparing themselves for the debate that is going to take place within two weeks. They still have plenty of time …

They are going to be evaluated according to their:

• Complexity of speech;

• Accuracy;

• Fluency:

• Interaction;

• Development of the theme.

Here is a list of links where you can find information about the different languages and about the different arguments you can use.