Mastering Russian Through Global Debate

Language instructors increasingly recognize the value of debate as a means of facilitating Advanced and Superior level competency. As of now, no single debate textbook exists that provides level-specific, scaffolded language exercises in addition to rhetorical strategies and topic-specific texts. The proposed textbook provides a stepwise set of exercises that culminate in a debate with fellow students at home and/or abroad via teleconference technology. Each of six chapters commences with a set of pre-reading activities, then a text covering the debate topic from both sides of the issue, followed by post-reading comprehension and lexical development exercises--all of which foster language and critical thinking skills needed for successful debates. A rhetorical methods section in each chapter integrates language and practice and prepares students for end-of-chapter debates. The book is designed to work closely with the ACTFL proficiency guidelines. Twelve audio files will be included.

Mastering Russian through Global Debate brings together the rhetorical traditions of the communications field and the best practices of adult second language instruction to facilitate superior-level proficiency in the Russian language.

I highly recommend Mastering Russian through Global Debate. The materials are methodologically sound and designed to facilitate both language gain and the development of critical thinking skills. The themes that form the core of the six chapters are important for our contemporary world and are presented in engaging and thought-provoking ways. This volume fills a serious void in terms of upper-level materials for serious learners of Russian.

--Cynthia Martin, associate professor of Russian, University of Maryland, School of Languages, Literatures and Cultures

This textbook is an extraordinary contribution to the teaching of superior-level discourse, as defined in the Proficiency Guidelines, in the Russian-language curriculum because it compels students to engage in argument on abstract topics. The authors deftly present 'hot topics' about which students will most certainly have their own opinions. Students using this textbook will enhance their speaking skills not only in Russian, but also in their native language, precisely because they will learn to structure their arguments logically, using rhetorical devices to select and emphasize evidence and point listeners to their conclusions. This textbook is outstanding because it teaches language skills in the context of the greater liberal arts enterprise of critical thinking and analysis.

--Benjamin Rifkin, professor of Russian and dean of Humanities and Social Sciences, The College of New Jersey