Teachers:
Topic Ideas for Panel Discussions Include:
- Space Travel
- Scientific Research
- Economics
- Volunteerism
- Education
- Issues facing Young Adults
- Art and Pop Culture
- Health Care
- Environment
- Disease Control/Prevention
- Poverty
- Careers and Lifestyles
Speaking Course Projects: Panel Discussion
Using some of the topics you discuss in class (based on what you cover in the book, topics that arise of their own momentum, or subjects that you think fit into the realm of the curriculum), have students sign up for panel discussions.
Each panel topic will have 3 students participating. The remaining students act as an audience.
All students know what the topics are in advance of presenting. The audience has the chance to prepare questions for an additional participation grade, or receive a higher participation grade for asking a question in response to the comments. The goal here is to encourage students to use language spontaneously, and to a lesser extent to encourage some amount of verbal interaction from everyone.
The panelists will need to do some research on their topic and present as if he/she were an expert in this topic. The panelists may have opposing views, or may present as a team. Each panelist has to speak for _________ minutes (whatever time you assign) on their topic. Afterwards, the rest of the class asks questions, which the panelists have to answer.