This document outlines the agenda and goals for a week-long course on debates. It includes an introduction to debates, presentations from previous students, and assigning readings on theories of second language acquisition. Students are asked to complete a self-evaluation, watch a video on a feral child named Genie, and read one of four assigned research articles on factors that influence second language learning. They are to discuss and summarize the articles in small groups to prepare for an upcoming debate on theories of language learning. The document schedules subsequent classes to help students build arguments, structure presentations, and prepare for the final debate and their own presentations at the end of the course.

1. Deepening the Debate
(Week 10)
ORAL I V
(HE281)
Prof. Dr. Ron Martinez
drronmartinez@gmail.com

2. Goals for the week
• Recap presentations, next steps.
• Final (self) evaluations.
• Introduction to debate.

3. Today’s agenda
• Presentations
• Intro to debate and debate theme

4. But first...
• While you were presenting, so was I...

20. Your presentations
• Next step:
• Before I can give you your final grade, please
download self-evaluation form.
• You can watch your presentation on YouTube
to refresh your memory (unlisted link – don’t
worry).

21. Next few weeks...
• 9/11 (Mon.) Introducing the debate
• 11/11 (Wed.) Building arguments
• 16/11 (Mon.) Structuring arguments
• 18/11 (Wed.) Debate Day + look ahead to final
presentation
• 23-25 – Reading and presentation structuring
• 30/11 (Mon.) Presentation preparation
• 2/12 (Wed.) Presentation preparation
• 7/12 (Mon.) Final presentations begin

22. Age and SLA
0=Stongly Disagree, 1=Disagree, 2=Agree to an extent, 4= Agree, 5=Strongly Agree
1. Kids learn languages better than grown ups.
2. Adults can learn languages just as quickly as kids.
3. Adults who learn a second language can never sound like a native
speaker.
4. Infants can usually sound like a native speaker in a second language.
5. Kids have an easier time learning languages than adults.
6. Adults can learn grammar rules faster than kids.
7. After a certain age the cognitive processes involved in language
acquisition change.
8. Social context has a more important role in L2 acquisition than age.
9. Anyone can pass for a native speaker of a second language if they really
want to.
10. All people are born with basically the same aptitude for learning a
second language.

23. Next few weeks...
• 9/11 (Mon.) Introducing the debate
• 11/11 (Wed.) Building arguments
• 16/11 (Mon.) Structuring arguments
• 18/11 (Wed.) Debate Day + look ahead to final
presentation
• 23-25 – Reading and presentation structuring
• 30/11 (Mon.) Presentation preparation
• 2/12 (Wed.) Presentation preparation
• 7/12 (Mon.) Final presentations begin

24. Homework
• Complete your self-evaluation and email to me before
next class.
• Watch ‘Genie’ (on our website).
• Read 1 (assigned) article (online), be prepared to
summarize for class on Wednesday:
– 1. Johnson & Newport (1989) ‘Critical Period Effects in
Second Language Acquisition’
– 2. Piller (2002) ‘Passing for a native speaker’
– 3. Moyer (2014) ‘Exceptional outcome in L2 phonology’
– 4. Muñoz (2014) ‘Contrasting effects of starting age and
input’

25. Self-evaluations
• Please complete in order to receive your
grade!

28. ‘Genie’

29. ‘Gisele’
• Watch the video and pay attention to Gisele
Bundchen’s fluency in English, and her
biography.
• Does Gisele’s English support or weaken the
claims/findings in the research you read?

30. Article Summary
• Sit next to classmates who read the same article (1: Ana Paula,
Andrey, Carmina, Patrícia; 2: Carla, Franciane, Rafaela; 3: Danielle,
John, Plinio, Yasmin; 4: Tatiana, Gabriela, Anni)
• Discuss your general impressions of the article (5 minutes)
• To prepare your summary, identify the following points:
– What was/were the research question(s)?
– What motivated the research?
– How did the researcher(s) collect data?
– What are the main findings?
– To what extent to you agree with the findings (and the method used)?
– How does the Gisele Bundchen article fit with the research you read?
Does Gisele’s English proficiency support or weaken the research?

31. Summaries
• Pay close attention and take notes – you will
need this information for next week’s debate!

32. HOMEWORK FOR MONDAY
• Download the reading and worksheet
online and prepare an extended argument in
favor of the paper that you read for Monday's
class. (Please print out the worksheet and
bring it to class.)
• Send your self-evaluation (and use the special
sheet!) so that you can receive your grade.
• Have a great weekend!