DEBATE AMONG STUDENTS
On June 14, 2022, the Department of World Languages of the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan conducted a debate entitled “Diplomats, Lawyers, Economists and Journalists” composed of active members of the Clubs functioning at the Institute. The debate was conducted in Russian in order to develop language skills of students and to improve their speaking skills in Russian.
During the debate, students were divided into two teams: the team “Dip.Corpus” – students of the Faculty of International Diplomatic Relations and students of the Faculty of International Law, as well as the team “Eco-Journalists” – students of the Faculty of International Economic Relations and students of the Faculty of International Journalism. Both teams presented their positions, cited facts, developing arguments on given topics. According to the results of two rounds, the jury announced the team “Dip.Corpus” as winners.
In general, debate teams are valued for training students in public speaking and developing critical thinking. Student debaters have several advantages, for instance, debating provides practice in developing logical arguments; gives students an opportunity to practice speaking in front of an audience; develops language skills if it is conducted in foreign languages, in this case Russian; expands students’ outlook; increases their understanding of important issues; and others. Therefore, it is important to conduct debates among students regularly.
Yusup Karatayev,
1st year student of the Faculty of International Law
of the
Institute of International Relations
of the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan.