Art Debate
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Skills: Level: Class Size: |
Speaking and listening Intermediate - Advance 8 or more players |
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| Materials: | None |
Objective
Art Debate is an efl/esl communication activity where students are divided into two groups and must represent two different points of view in a mock television interview. This activity poses the question: "Should the arts be subsidized through government funding?"
Before starting this activity, it's a good idea to encourage learners to research into government funding for your particular country.
Instructions
Background Information: Government subsidy is crucial to the survival of local theatres, opera, ballet, museums and national galleries. However, many people think that such funding is a waste of public money. After all isn't the arts a leisure pursuit of the elite and upper class? Funding should therefore be spent on schools, hospitals, and other public services that would benefit the whole of society, and not just a minority group.
Two groups will be interviewed for the television show "The Great Art Debate". The first group represents the National Arts Association which is seeking funding to build a national art gallery in their state. The second group is a government funding body which makes decisions on where public funding should be spent.
1. Divide the class into two groups - each group consisting of six learners. Each group should decide on the side they would like to represent, and select a role based from 1 to 6. The teacher can take the role of the TV interviewer or nominate another class member to that role.
| National Art Association Group | Government Funding Group |
| 1. Museum Director 2. Artist 3. Curator |
4. Politician 5. Director 6. Businessman/Investor |
2. Give the groups about 10 minutes to prepare for the interview. When the groups is ready, have each member present his or her views and concerns on using public funds to build an art gallery.
3. Assuming that the government funding group decides to grant funds to the project, have the groups talk together in order to negotiate terms that would address the issues raised.