DEBATE TRAINING IN LANGUAGE EDUCATION: TRENDS, STRATEGIES, AND PEDAGOGICAL IMPLICATIONS - A STRUCTURED LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

Debate training has become an influential instructional approach in the field of language education, contributing to the development of learners' communication abilities, critical thinking, and persuasive skills. As teaching methodologies continue to advance, the integration of debate as a teaching strategy has drawn increased interest due to its capacity to create dynamic learning experiences, encourage intercultural understanding, and strengthen spoken language proficiency. Although its advantages are widely acknowledged, there remains a need for a comprehensive investigation into the current practices, methods, and educational implications of implementing debate activities in language learning contexts. This systematic literature review (SLR) explores prior studies related to debate training within language instruction, emphasizing recent patterns, teaching techniques, and its broader influence on educational outcomes. The review adheres to PRISMA procedures to select, evaluate, and synthesize scholarly articles retrieved from high-impact academic databases, including Scopus and Web of Science (WoS), with a publication range from 2020 to 2024. A total of 13 relevant studies were identified and included in the final analysis. The results were organized into three main thematic categories: (1) trends in debate training, (2) strategies for implementation and (3) pedagogical implications. The analysis explores how debate is integrated into language teaching, the instructional methods employed, and the outcomes reported in second-language learning contexts. Findings reveal that debate training has increasingly been implemented using technology-assisted learning, collaborative frameworks, and structured argumentation models. Empirical evidence highlights improvements in language fluency, argumentation structure, and adaptability among students engaged in debate-based learning. Additionally, studies indicate that integrating debate into curricula enhances student engagement, intercultural competence, and critical discourse abilities. However, challenges such as classroom management, accessibility, and teacher preparedness remain key considerations. The study concludes that debate training is a valuable approach in language teaching, offering a structured yet dynamic platform for enhancing.