"Do today's schools prepare students with the knowledge and skills for tomorrow's world?"
A la tradicional liga de debate de nuestro centro, se ha añadido este curso un nuevo torneo de debate en inglés, actividad pionera,que ha tenido una magnífica respuesta por nuestro alumnado de 2º de Bachillerato. A pesar de la dificultad añadida de debatir en inglés, más de 40 personas se han inscrito voluntariamente para participar en esta competición. Aprender a debatir, a hablar en público, a defender una postura en un idioma que no es el propio, es sin duda un buen camino para afianzar el dominio de una lengua. Una actividad que ha requerido mucho esfuerzo por parte de nuestros estudiantes, que han debido buscar información, desarrollar diferentes argumentos y aprender a exponerlos en inglés de forma convincente y natural.
Success; in the present and for the future.
What does and will that require? What are schools, students and teachers
doing on a daily basis to make it happen?
That's really what it all came down to. And, an objective look back on the process
would suggest that all those who took part are well on our way. On this occasion, the mix of effective
preparation and calculated risk taking seems to me to have made all the
difference. Curiosity was balanced with
frustrations. Individual innovation and
creativity were balanced with more formal structures. Collaboration was
balanced with competition, whilst mediocrity was surpassed with flying
colours. All of this, at the same time
as the competition was heating up and worthwhile lasting memories were being
created.
The first, and hopefully henceforth, annual debate competition in English, took
place in San Cernin between 13th and 21st of January, in the midst of an eclectic
mix of ideas, high expectations, nerves and above all, hard work. Over 40 students from 2 Bachillerato, in
teams of three, signed up and went head to head to argue in favour and against
the motion. At this point in their last
year at the school, it seemed particularly appropriate that they should reflect
upon and share their ideas and experiences of that educational journey. Not far from now after all, they will have
moved on into the uncertain world; into jobs and careers which, in many cases, may
not even have been created yet, within or beyond the national boundary. Doing so in English undoubtedly provided an
important extra challenge, but it was also a test of the success of their
learning experience.
And they took it all in their stride! They used the opportunity to put all
kinds of knowledge and skills that they've acquired at San Cernin into
practice; not least of which was that of the English language. They demonstrated focus, motivation, self
control and resilience, but above all, they demonstrated the respect,
collaboration and responsibility that comes with well educated, sharp young
minds who are a credit to all those who know them and especially all those who
have taught them.
We're all winners in a process like this one.
Debating reinforces skills in areas of leadership, interpersonal
influence, team building and problem solving.
On the other hand, language is first and foremost a tool for
communication and, as such, is much more about meaning than form. Using English to express ideas consolidates
language skills and by comparing and contrasting opinions, it was evident to
the jury and fellow classmates alike, that participants increased in both
confidence and competence.
The visible progress made by speakers from their first, through their third
programmed debate and there beyond towards the final, was outstanding. In many ways it is ironic perhaps that the
winning team defended the position against the motion by demonstrating all the skills
put forward by their opponents as evidence of the good job the school has
done. Evidence, all in all I suppose,
that there is no doubt that throughout their school journey they have built up
an effective and adaptable toolkit thanks to all those teachers with which
they've had the opportunity of learning; a toolkit which includes a wealth of
knowledge and skills which set them well on their way to success.
Congratulations to everyone involved! To the winners, Laura, Celia and Rocio,
to the runners up Javier, Carlota and Jorge and to all the teachers who gave me
a hand to organise things. Congratulations to Cesar Muro and Carlota on their best speaker awards.
And, a heartfelt
thank you everyone involved too!
