Advice for teachers -Foundation English

​Unit 2 - Area of Study 3: Listening to and presenting persuasive texts

Outcome 3

Present a spoken or multimodal text to a specified audience, which conveys a reasoned and informed opinion on a topic of interest.

Examples of learning activities

  • Identify different contentions on the same issue in 4–5 short newspaper texts, such as letters to the editor, editorials, opinion pieces and cartoons.
  • In a small group, select, read, discuss and summarise in notes the contentions and main arguments of one article from the ABC News or an episode and transcript from Behind the News.
  • Research ‘fake news’ and, in small groups, discuss findings about the reliability of the media.
  • In groups, discuss speaking strategies that help to communicate meaning (voice, volume, pace, pausing, intonation, pitch).
  • Read aloud a selection of 3-4 letters to the editor to a partner, using voice to express meaning and tone.
  • Collect 3–4 newspaper cartoons associated with a particular issue and, in small groups, identify the points of view and arguments expressed in them.
  • Analyse how a product is being advertised in a photograph by using textual clues and background knowledge alone.
  • Design 10 interview questions to ask an adult about their work life; conduct the interview and write up a report to outline the findings.
  • Write/speak formally on a given topic or issue in the voice of a particular stakeholder.
  • In groups, plan and create a podcast or blog on a selected issue or topic.
  • In groups, conduct and record interviews, creating questions and formulating opinions on an issue or current topic in the media.
  • In teams, organise a debate on a topic of interest, using the Debaters Association of Victoria (DAV) or ABC Splash websites for support.
  • Listen to or view a debate or program such as SBS’s ‘Insight’, or ABC's ‘Q&A’, taking notes on the topic and main arguments made by each side.
  • Create an outline plan for a point of view speech on a topic of interest, using an online tool.
  • Prepare a formal speech on a chosen topic using the guidelines for prepared speeches on the Plain English Speaking Award (PESA) website.

Detailed example

Teams prepare for and conduct a debate

  1. Research and make notes on a current debatable topic.
  2. Create a detailed background fact sheet.
  3. Identify different viewpoints and stakeholders.
  4. Create teams of six with three affirmative and three negative speakers.
  5. Study the different speakers’ roles and select who will take each part.
  6. Each team formulates arguments and rebuttals to make in the debate.
  7. Set up the classroom appropriately.
  8. Conduct the debate.
  9. A panel of peers uses a matter, manner, method rubric to determine the winners.