Anon
I believe the ability to face and deal with controversy is like facing adversity in life. It is a skill that a person needs to survive and succeed in whatever field he/she is in. Schools and educators will have to train students in this relevant area and hence, will have to be provide exposure through activities based on contoversial topics. Of course, it goes without saying that teachers will have to be sensitive and well-planned, pre-empting all the issues that might come up so that they are more equipped to deal effectively as facilitators.

Anon
Assisted debate is a practical way of developing listening and reasoning skills for learners of any foreign language. It's important to consider that controversial topics are great stimulants for healthy debate but offensive topics are not. Any teacher wishing to introduce a controversial topic therefore should be confident in the social-cultural make up of their students.

Edy Isabel Torres, Peru
I would like to say that Controversial topics usually generate lively debates and not always end up in bitter arguments so we should manage them adequately and it is up to the teachers if they know how conduct debates at any class activity for practicing speaking and this is why teachers should use for. So we the teachers have to take into consideration the age, interests, background knowledge, level and students' needs in order to conduct the proposed activity successfully . Furthermore, teachers have to have enough knowledge about the topic they want to teach.

AbderRahim Chalfaouat, Morocco
I believe that avoiding the introduction of controversial issues in the ELT classroom is rather a limitation to the teaching process. The ELT classroom is a societal microcosm wherein students expect to discuss topics that concern their life as a whole. Nevertheless, the scope, amount and importance-- or lack thereof-- of controversy differs from one topic to another depending on its sensitivity and awareness-gap. The cultural background (religion, race, customs, traditions, socio-economic class, ethnic origin, etc) has a significant say and needs careful consideration before raising any controversial issue. Care should occur also while the discussion is at work to shun fallacies, prejudice, bias and negative washback. Error correction at the level of ideas is advisable without imposition or indoctrination.

Fitch O'Connell, Portugal
Obviously any discussion, controversial or not, needs to be appropriate to the linguistic, sociological and emotional needs of the class. I would have thought that denying students the chance to get involved in discussing subjects which may cause feelings to run high is to do them a disservice: students need to learn how to express their opinions in a way which gets across their point without causing offence, and they are hardly likely to learn the appropriate skills if subjects are kept safe. There will be risks, but what of that?
One way to concentrate on the skills required rather than just the arguments is to depersonalise the process - students being asked to assume the role of a fictitious character, or being required to argue from the opposite point of view from their own belief, thus creating a class full of devil's advocates!
I have found, however, that it is important for the teachers to remain fairly neutral, and to be seen to encourage and understand views from both sides.

Sonia Delgado, Colombia
I basically agree with most of the participants who voted "yes" since we are living in a controversial world nowadays. This kind of activities can promote respect towards other people's opinions, it is a way of becoming more tolerant. However, I would try to avoid subjects such as religion and politics because they can cause more trouble than benefit. The group of students may indicate the teacher how to deal with this situation.

Anon
I'm a Brazilian State School English teacher. I think it's a wonderful idea to duscuss controversial topics in the classroom. It encourages students to practice the foreign langauge. I've been teaching for over 30 years and I've never had problemas with my students for that. I think it all depends on the kind of interaction the teacher stablishes with his/her students in every day teaching. If the classroom environment is a friendly one, it seeems that every subject that is allowed to be discussed in local community can also also be discussed in the foreign langauge classroom.

Audrey Lau, Singapore
Hi everyone, I teach EFL to mainly Chinese, Thai and Indonesian young adults and have found that students at high intermediate to advanced levels of competency do enjoy discussing controversial topics. I couldn't agree more with those who've written to say that it's important that the classroom environment is right for it. It usually helps to set the stage by reminding the class that views are personal and although they may not all agree with some of the views, they are to respect them, and any disagreement is not to be taken as a personal attack.
I think for the students, controversial viewpoints are an eye-opener and broaden the scope of the learners' thinking and horizon. From the language learning point of view, controversial topics give students a platform for more authentic communication within the confines of the classroom to practise the use of functional language for agreeing and disagreeing. It also serves to build confidence in expressing and articulating personal opinions in a non-confrontational way in a foreign language - a useful skill especially for those preparing for undergraduate studies.

Sonia Fernandez, Cuba
I disagree. Controversial topics are OK. I agree with Esther from Israel. There are two important areas to look at in the classroom -educate and instruct- 'Educate' has to do with moral values, self-esteem, and empowerment of the spirit, and 'instruct' has to do with specific knowledge and skills of a given subject. What I mean by all this is that one way of educating is precisely by adopting a critical pedagogy, which makes use of all this debate and discussion in which the teacher is a facilitator and influences on the formation of important values in his/her students. This way of teaching would also strengthen the learners' national and cultural identities. For advanced learners, it is a rich source of language practice as well.

Juan Mendieta, Spain
I think we all teachers agree that it is important to promote discussion in the classroom, so that students get to speak freely in English about topics they find appealing.It is also an enriching experience for the students as they learn about points of view which may be quite different from their own. Truly we all have to learn from others and to be tolerant even though we don't share the same opinions. However, the point I want to make is that not ANY topic is suitable to be discussed in the classroom. There are topics that are controversial such as smoking/not smoking, driving on the right/driving on the left, wearing tattoos/not wearing tattoos. These kinds of topics can generate healthy discussion. On the other hand, there are controversial topics such as abortion, animal rights or the Iraq war. These topics affect much deeper feelings or convictions.If they were raised in the class, they could have the effect of a bomb. Although this may sound extreme, what about having a discussion on the Israeli-Palestinian problem between students from both extractions?

Anon, Italy
As a teacher of English at an Italian secondary high school, I think it is essential to foster discussion in a classroom for several reasons, some of which may be:

• teach students to carefully listen to one another without prejudices
• try to clearly interpret the other's message
• gather different points of views
• try to explain their own ideas in a logical and clear order without shouting, attacking or surrendering to the others.

It's not always easy with our adolescents! Obviously it all depends on the age, the culture and other factors; in my reality, I think it is a good aim as I strongly believe that it's more important to teach students to use their minds in a critical way, after having acquired also some fundamental knowledges of course, than cramming heads with notions and no critical support.

Sian Lund
I agree with the majority of other comments made. It is necessary to bring reality into the classroom. I do, however, believe that it is the teacher's role to steer the conversation, making sure no-one is bullied, and everyone is allowed a fair chance at participation, if they wish. It is also important to encourage skills of reasoning, and the ability to support statements in a calm and effective manner. I have often found that it is the person who 'shouts the loudest' at the beginning of a discussion that is later found to be the person with little evidence or support for their opinion. It is more often the tentative student who, given the chance, will contribute valued, well reasoned argument.

Viviane Kirmeliene, Brazil
I basically work with adult students in EFL classes here in Brazil. What I learned from my experience is that we should be careful when selecting controversial topics. They can usually raise lively debate, but they don't suit all groups. The teacher must carefully analyze the group profile and be aware of the kind of relationship students have before deciding on using a controversial topic or not in the classroom. His/her role must be as neutral as possible, but I must confess that I have played devil's advocate sometimes, having told students beforehand what my role in that debate would be. I believe that the teacher should decide when debating controversial topics is suitable because it's a shame to simply eliminate such everyday issues from EFL classes.

Han Jing Mei, China
I think this issue is too complicated to vote simply for a yes or no answer.
If we always avoid controversies, then students may find it hard to endure a complex life situation when out of the schools because informed decisions also takes time to make and need practice. To embrace cultural diversity and differences is essential knowledge and skill for students to learn in all countries for the sake of a better world! However, we have to take into considerations of the settings, the aims of the classes and the age of the students, etc. It may be ok to discuss such issues through life experiences with mature age students but it would be hard for younger people to take side as to the role of women until perhaps some of them become an adult woman or man themselves. They may run the risk of generalising it simply from the experiences with family and friends....
So I cannot say yes or no to this questions as I need to know the students’ background, their age, settings, and the aims of the classes, etc. before I make a decision whether or not to discuss a controversy topic in class. It will depend on why, how and with whom we should discuss the controversies, etc.

Margot McCamley
From my experience, I have found students want to talk about controversial subjects. The world is full of controversy as is everyday life. While teaching in Japan I was advised not to talk about 'the war', but the war was brought up by students, particularly after I visited Hiroshima. In some instances it was with some sense of ire, in other instances it was with the desire that war should not happen again. Never. The proximity of Japan to China and North Korea also raised issues of war particularly when missiles were fired over the country. I might also add that controversial subjects I did not want to discuss in the classroom, such as sex, were also raised. These had to be addressed diplomatically and not dismissed.
I believe that teachers need to be aware of the cultural boundaries before controversies should be discussed and then to be so diplomatically and in an unbiased fashion. If the latter cannot be exercised then the matter should not be discussed, but maybe put off for a later discussion when maybe a supervisor can be present, or when the teacher knows enough about the subject to discuss it openly and without bias.

Barbara Admoni, Israel
Today's school children live in a world which gives them total access to all manner of information, be it television, Internet, newspapers. We can neither protect children nor hide controversial topics from them. It is far better to discuss such matters in the classroom, allow students to air their opinions freely and hopefully give some kind of perspective.

Dr.Swapan Kumar Banerjee, India
I think contoversial topics should be allowed in the classroom to develop debating skill and unbiased attitude in the students. The teacher's job should be confined to co-ordinating the views of the students and restraining them from quarrels and personal aspersions. Properly conducted, it can impart students skills to think rationally and speak without bias and prejudice. It is high time that students developed this analytical skill without which they cannot see through the constant brain-washing by the politicians and advertising agencies. Careerwise, it will lead to better performance in Group Discussion in all sorts of admission tests.

Hatice Salih Kerimgil, North Cyprus
As long as the teacher does not try to impose his/her own views and allows everyone to express their views all topics are ok. In fact giving groups of students a topic and asking them to research it before the discussion is an excellent exercise. The teacher must be well versed in the topic and must not allow the discussion to deteriorate into a slanging match. This is also a very good listening excercise and one which helps teach students ,especially high school students, to learn respect for others.
Very often the 'controversial ' topic chosen is one that the students really need to talk about. So prepare for the topic and get discussing. Some of my best lessons have been like this and my students have really learned to express themselves, listen and have learned the facts about a topic too.

Alain Héron
I believe that controversial topics should be discussed during class. At least, if we are talking about democracy... Freedom of speech and of opinions is of the utmost importance in this world.

Shrimathy, India
The question as to whether controversial topics can be used in the language classroom can best be answered by taking into consideration culture. In India even in major cities it is better to leave out controversial topics. It is not that students are unaware of issues relating to women's empowerment but they do find it difficult to react to controversial topics at least in my country in an objective way and this definitely does not promote good interaction between the students.

Angela Espindola, Brazil
In my point of view we have to talk about different topics in classrooms,
controversial or not. I believe it is our role as teachers to respect the
opinion of our students.

Henk Prijs, The Netherlands
I don't subscribe to the point of view that controversial topics should not be dealt with in classroom. Teachers prepare students or pupils for their lives and careers after school. I think it is essential to confront them with the ways of thinking and their own point of view on these subjects. A teacher should never try to convince a pupil of his way of thinking but he should confront a pupil with his own way of thinking and the way other pupils can react. Because that is the real world. Everything you will say and think aloud forces or evokes other people to react. If you don't want that in your class, you shouldn't even let the pupils make the exercises because there is always controversy in the methods used as well. As long as you allow pupils to think for themselves and allow them to explain why they have a certain opinion.

Paul
In my experience as a teacher only once has a 'controversial' topic caused any problems in the class, and that's in 15 years in various contexts. Good prep, a healthy, positive class dynamic and skilful moderation are needed, yes, but English in the classroom must be real in content if not in form. Faced with the choice of talking about shopping for a fictional meal you are never going to prepare or the rights and wrongs of homosexual marriages/globalisation/football as culture what would you choose?

Haya Talmi
I believe that once we step into a classroom we become educators and not only teachers.
We should educate our students to tolerance and freedom of thought.
We should educate our students that each individual has the right to have his own thoughts and the freedom to express them - even if others don't agree with him/her.
We should educate our students that democracy is not only the way you elect your leaders and vote for laws but it is a way of life!
We do not "prepare" the students for the "real" world outside. We have the real world right in front of us: - in the classroom!
I believe that if we do that all over the world - the new generation will lead true and genuine democratic life and eventually, our world will be a better place to live in. A place where one respects the difference and rights of the others and has the right to be respecterd by the others.
This is why expressing controversial ideas is a great opportunity to practise it.

Irina
Well, I voted against the idea that controversy should be avoided in the class. My students are often school graduates or older and they enjoy those tasks which make them express their personal views and feelings. Moreover, sometimes I see that they say a lot of things in English on such topics which would make them shy if they spoke their native language.
The point is how the discussion on a controversal topic is organised. The teacher should be wise enough to keep a "democratic atmosphere" in the class and remind the students that it is only a lesson and not a session of a local court.
Through much experience I found out that those items taken deeply personally are more profoundly learnt and remembered and used later by students.

Philip Mathias, Bangkok
I'm the (first) one who voted 'Don't know / Not sure' but would actually like to vote for 'It depends'.
It depends on the culture of the students. Many Asian students (my experience is mainly with Thai students) would keep out of a full-blown debate, for example. They would not want to disagree directly - it's too confrontational.
It may also depend on the topic and how strong feelings become over the issue. Again this may vary between cultures and nationalities.
The most important factor, I would suggest, is the role of the teacher. It is up to the teacher to judge the sensibilities of the students and to direct the discussion if it is too heated or going in a direction that is offensive to some. The teacher must also be careful about expressing their own opinion. In Thailand, students would probably feel the teacher was 'against' them if he / she took a strong line on one side. The notion that 'the teacher is right' would leave them feeling that their views were wrong.
So, it depends. If the debate can lead to genuine discussion and exchange of ideas, then I believe it can be very useful to introduce controversial issues. The teacher, though, needs to think clearly about the topic to be introduced, the students involved and his / her own role in the activity.

Andy Mortimer
Hello to everyone in here.
I think it is not only a good idea to discuss controversial topics but it is essential. How else are people going to be able to see things from others' points of view?
However, it is necessary to first make sure that students not only know how, but are willing, to listen, that's where the real lesson is.
Respect cannot be enforced or bought, it is something precious and fragile lent to us by others.

Robert M Lennon, Sri Lanka
I think that debate is fine – an opportunity to encourage, and express, respect for the views of others.

Esther Muskal, Israel
In my opinion, one can discuss controversal topics in class providing the teacher feels strong enough to debate the topic and be able to steer the conversation away form a potential argument.
Disagreements are healthy and children should be taught the skill to listen and pay attention to each other. The goal is to convince the other person of another train of thought and barring that, the ability to tolerate and respect another person's opinion.