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SAMPLE - Video Game Violence - Mini-Debates - ESL Library
SAMPLE - Video Game Violence - Mini-Debates - ESL Library
Video
Game
Sa
Violence
Pre-Reading
A. Warm-Up Questions
B. Vocabulary Preview
pl
Match the words on the left with the correct meanings on the right.
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Video Game Violence
Mini-Debates
Reading
1. M
any school-age children in the United States play video games I'm very careful
forclose to an hour a day. Almost 90% of the most popular video about how Iportray
games contain violence, and much of it is extremely violent. In the US,
violence in my
Sa
the video game industry rates games that contain violence or sexual
images as M for mature audiences. Researchers have discovered, films. I do believe
though, that children as young as seven years old have played that violence,
thesegames.
especiallyviolent
2. In July 2005, the state of Illinois passed a law that made it illegal video games,are
tosellor rent a video game containing violence or sexual images
to anyone under 18 years of age. Those who broke the law would
not a good thing
face ayear in prison or a $5,000 fine. The video game industry was foryoungkids.
told tolabel these games as violent or sexually explicit. In 2006, Spike Lee
thisstate law was thrown out.
3. F
or several years, lawmakers in the US tried to get video game
m
labelingacts passed. They wanted violent video games to have
a warning like cigarettes. The warning would say, WARNING:
Exposure to violent video games has been linked to aggressive
behavior. Manyparents and researchers support these efforts.
Theyargue that children who play violent video games may act
moreviolentlyinreallife.
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Video Game Violence
Mini-Debates
Comprehension
Discuss these questions in pairs, and write the answers in your notebook.
1. H
ow can someone in the US know if a video 4. W
hat do many people who rent or sell video games
Sa
game contains violence or sexual images? think about bills related to video game violence?
2. W
hat kind of law did the state of Illinois 5. W
hat did President Obama propose after
pass in 2005 regarding video games? the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting?
3. W
hy do many parents support bills related to
restricting and labeling violent video games?
Vocabulary Review
Complete the following sentences using
m
words from the vocabulary list on page 1.
2. When he drove through the red traffic light, the police gave him a $100 .
3. If she doesn't love him anymore, she will his marriage proposal.
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Video Game Violence
Mini-Debates
Discussion
Work with a partner or in small groups. Discuss the following questions.
1. C
hildrens TV programs, comic books, and movies 4. D
o you think most parents carefully monitor
Sa
often contain violence. Do you think that violent theTV programs their children watch and
video games have any different impact on children videogames they play?
than these other forms of entertainment?
5. M
ost countries have classifications for movies
2. D
o you think that a future study will prove that such as Family Entertainment, General Admission,
video game violence leads to aggression and Parental Guidance, Restricted Adult, etc. Do you
antisocial behavior? think that video games should have a similar type
of classification system? Why or why not?
3. D
o you think that the video game industry has any
interest in protecting children from the harmful
effects of watching violent or adult sexual images?
m
Debate
Below are two topics to debate in small groups or pairs. Your
teacher will tell you if you will be debating for or against the idea.
You will have ten minutes to prepare your arguments.
TOPIC #1 TOPIC #2
It is the responsibility of parents, not lawmakers, Violent video games have a very harmful
pl
to decide which video games their children can play. effect on children and contribute to the
Therefore, there should be no laws restricting the increase in violence in our society.
sale or rental of violent video games to minors.
Writing
Choose one of the questions from the Discuss section and
write a paragraph in your notebook stating your own opinion.
e
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Video Game Violence
Mini-Debates
That doesnt take away from the fact that... In my honest opinion...
Sa
Thats beside the point. It is my belief that...
With all due respect... From my experience...
I agree with you there. From where I look at it...
I agree with ---- (name). From my point of view...
I see your point, but...
That may be true, but...
Clarifying / Rephrasing
Were going to have to agree to disagree.
I get/see where youre coming from, but... Lets be clear here...
Im afraid I disagree entirely. I think you misunderstood what I said.
Im afraid Id have to disagree. What I said was... (repeat a point
I agree to some extent, but... that was misunderstood or confused)
I disagree with you there. What I meant to say was...
m
Pardon me for disagreeing, but... (rephrase something in a way that is clearer)
In other words...
What I was trying to say
Interrupting / Asking to Contribute
before I was interrupted is that...
I hate to interrupt, but...
If I may come in here...
Summarizing / Concluding
Id like to add something.
Would you like to contribute something? So let me get this straight. You think...
Id like to raise a point. To conclude...
If I could speak for a moment... Id just like to summarize by saying...
pl
Id like to cut in here. Finally, Id like to reiterate that...
You havent answered my question. Its time to take stock of what weve heard today.
Both sides have some valid points.
The stronger argument/team today is...
Persuading
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Video Game Violence
Mini-Debates
Answer Key
LESSON DESCRIPTION: LEVEL: IntermediateAdvanced
Students read about and debate whether or not TIME: 1.52 hours
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video games cause young people to become violent.
TAGS: discussion, debate, video games, video game violence,
This lesson includes writing and speaking activities.
guns, young people, youth, children, NRA, Illinois, US
B. VOCABULARY PREVIEW
Discuss
m
1. d 3. f 5. m 7. e 9. i 11. g 13. b Have students discuss in small groups or pairs. Answers will vary.
2. h 4. j 6. k 8. l 10. c 12. a 14. n
Debate
Reading
Review language used in debates (see page 5). Then divide students
Read individually, in small groups, or as a class. You can also play
into pairs or groups, with some arguing for and others arguing against
the listening as your students read along. Help your students
one or both of the topics. Alternatively, allow students to choose one
with vocabulary and expressions that they are unfamiliar with.
topic to debate as a class. If all students want to argue the same side,
Discuss the quote.
assign some students to be on the other side of the debate. Give
pl
students time to practice making statements about their opinions.
Comprehension
Remind students to defend their opinions with real-life examples and
1. Video games that contain violence or sexual details. They may also need to be reminded to respect the opinions of
images are rated M by the video game industry. others. You could also practice interrupting politely. (See our Functional
2. The state of Illinois passed a law that made it illegal English lesson plan on Interrupting.) Consult our Teachers Notes for
to sell or rent a video game containing violence or more ideas on using ESL Librarys Mini-Debates intheclassroom.
responsible for what their children are doing or seeing. and Behavior. Other English-speaking countries spell the words
5. President Obama asked that Congress approve this way: Labelling and Behaviour. Make it a challenge for your
money to conduct studies related to video students to find these words in the lesson and see if they
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