Debate and Discussion Topics

100 Debate and Discussion Topics by Subject

📚 Education

• Should school uniforms be required?

• Are online classes better than traditional classes?

• Should homework be abolished?

• Is it necessary to learn a second language?

• Should college education be free for everyone?

• Should smartphones be banned in schools?

• Should students grade their teachers?

• Are exams the best way to evaluate students?

• Should schools teach practical life skills instead of theoretical subjects?

• Should physical education be mandatory?

🌎 Environment

• Should plastic bags be banned?

• Is climate change the biggest threat to humanity?

• Should animal testing be banned?

• Should we prioritize renewable energy over fossil fuels?

• Is it too late to stop global warming?

• Should zoos be closed?

• Should people become vegetarians to protect the environment?

• Should governments ban private cars from city centers?

• Is recycling effective or overrated?

• Should deforestation be illegal?

💻 Technology & Social Media

• Is social media harmful or beneficial?

• Should the internet be censored?

• Are robots going to replace human jobs?

• Should parents control their children's online activities?

• Is technology making people lazy?

• Should video games be considered a sport?

• Is artificial intelligence dangerous for humanity?

• Should smartphones have an age restriction?

• Is online dating safe?

• Has technology improved communication?

⚖️ Society & Ethics

• Should smoking be banned completely?

• Is the death penalty justified?

• Should everyone become vegan?

• Should euthanasia (assisted dying) be legal?

• Is censorship sometimes necessary?

• Should alcohol advertising be banned?

• Should marriage be necessary for a stable society?

• Is it ethical to eat meat?

• Should animals have rights similar to humans?

• Should people be allowed to own guns?

🏛️ Politics & Government

• Should voting be compulsory?

• Is democracy the best political system?

• Should the voting age be lowered to 16?

• Is freedom more important than security?

• Should immigration be more strictly controlled?

• Should prisoners have the right to vote?

• Should military service be mandatory?

• Is nationalism good or bad?

• Should politicians have term limits?

• Is corruption unavoidable in politics?

💰 Economy & Business

• Should wealthy people pay higher taxes?

• Is globalization beneficial?

• Should the minimum wage be increased?

• Should tipping in restaurants be banned?

• Is capitalism better than socialism?

• Should advertising targeting children be banned?

• Are credit cards harmful to young adults?

• Should cryptocurrencies replace traditional currencies?

• Is online shopping better than traditional shopping?

• Should companies be held responsible for climate change?

🏥 Health & Lifestyle

• Should fast food be banned?

• Is healthcare a right or a privilege?

• Should sugary drinks have higher taxes?

• Is vegetarianism healthier than a meat-based diet?

• Should schools teach mental health classes?

• Is dieting harmful or helpful?

• Should vaccination be mandatory?

• Are organic foods worth the cost?

• Is stress always harmful?

• Should there be a limit on working hours per week?

🎬 Arts & Entertainment

• Are reality TV shows harmful?

• Should celebrities have a right to privacy?

• Should violent movies be banned?

• Is graffiti art or vandalism?

• Are books better than movies?

• Should children’s screen time be limited?

• Should censorship of explicit content in media be stricter?

• Should museums and galleries be free?

• Is listening to music while studying helpful or distracting?

• Should professional athletes be paid less?

🌐 Culture & Traditions

• Should traditional customs be preserved or modernized?

• Is globalization erasing cultural diversity?

• Should cultural appropriation be illegal?

• Is tourism beneficial for local cultures?

• Should parents always choose their child’s religion?

• Should English be the global language?

• Should cultural festivals be publicly funded?

• Are traditional gender roles still necessary?

• Should religious symbols be banned in public places?

• Is multiculturalism beneficial or harmful?

🚀 Future & Innovation

• Should humans colonize Mars?

• Should genetically modified foods be encouraged?

• Should we focus on space exploration or solving Earth’s problems?

• Should driverless cars be allowed on the roads?

• Will artificial intelligence make our lives better?

• Should cloning be legalized?

• Is nuclear energy safe for the future?

• Should the workweek be reduced due to automation?

• Should we worry about robots having emotions?

• Should humans aim for immortality?

Debate and Discussion Topics by Language Level

Beginner (A1) Debate and DiscussionTopics

• Ice cream vs. Chocolate: Which is tastier?

• Morning or night: Which is better?

• Drawing vs. Painting: Which is easier?

• Fruits vs. Vegetables: Which is healthier?

• Tea vs. Coffee: Which is better?

• Reading books or watching TV?

• Swimming or running: Which sport is more fun?

• Sunny days or rainy days?

• Animals or toys: Best gift for children?

• Juice vs. Soda: Which do you prefer?

• Cars vs. Bikes: Which is better transport?

• Beach vacation or mountain vacation?

• Summer clothes vs. winter clothes?

• Apples or oranges: Which fruit is better?

• Dogs or birds: Better pets?

• Milk chocolate vs. dark chocolate?

• Pizza toppings: Cheese vs. Pepperoni?

• Birthday party or holiday party: Which is more exciting?

• Indoor games vs. outdoor games?

• Movies or cartoons: Which do you prefer?

• Writing or speaking English: Which is easier?

• Breakfast vs. Dinner: Favorite meal?

• Boots vs. Sneakers: Which are more comfortable?

• Ball games or board games?

• Cake vs. Cookies: Which is tastier?

• Pop music vs. classical music?

• Paper books or audiobooks?

• Parks or shopping malls?

• Pencil vs. Pen: Which is better?

• Sandwiches vs. Salads: Which is better for lunch?

Elementary (A2) Debate and DiscussionTopics

• Should children do chores at home?

• Which is better: wearing glasses or contact lenses?

• Is cooking at home better than eating at restaurants?

• Are animals happier in nature or at home as pets?

• Should children get pocket money?

• City parks vs. amusement parks: Which is better?

• Should students learn music at school?

• Camping or staying in a hotel?

• Are computers better than tablets?

• Are books better gifts than toys?

• Should children help in the kitchen?

• Walking or cycling to school?

• Should young children have their own bedroom?

• Watching sports vs. playing sports?

• Is breakfast the most important meal?

• Is it better to have a large or small family?

• Are sweets good or bad for children?

• Should pets sleep in bed with people?

• Using pencils or typing on computers?

• Is ice skating or roller skating more fun?

• Should children choose their bedtime?

• Is it better to read fiction or nonfiction?

• School lunch or home-packed lunch?

• Is shopping fun or boring?

• Should children have birthday parties every year?

• Should bedtime stories be mandatory for children?

• Drinking milk: good or unnecessary?

• Is painting more fun than crafting?

• Is football better than basketball?

• Should everyone have a pet?

Pre-Intermediate (B1) Debate and DiscussionTopics

• Are fast-food restaurants good or bad for society?

• Should students wear casual clothes to school?

• Is traveling alone better than traveling with friends?

• Should school start later in the morning?

• Are reality shows good entertainment?

• Should there be Wi-Fi everywhere?

• Is watching news important for teenagers?

• Should people drink bottled water?

• Online games: helpful or harmful?

• Should public transport be free?

• Are museums interesting or boring?

• Are pets a good way to teach responsibility?

• Should students have part-time jobs?

• Is summer school helpful or unnecessary?

• Should bicycles replace cars in cities?

• Should teenagers have curfews?

• Should street food be banned?

• Is home-schooling a good idea?

• Should tourism be encouraged everywhere?

• Should teenagers help the elderly regularly?

• Are physical books disappearing because of e-books?

• Should families eat dinner together daily?

• Are live concerts better than recorded music?

• Should people give money or food to homeless people?

• Is learning history useful?

• Should schools allow students to use calculators?

• Is watching movies at home better than cinema?

• Should all children learn to swim?

• Are holidays abroad better than holidays at home?

• Should schools ban sugary snacks?

Intermediate (B1+ / B2) Debate and DiscussionTopics

• Should social media accounts have age restrictions?

• Should plastic straws be banned worldwide?

• Should junk food ads aimed at children be banned?

• Is the internet addictive?

• Are e-sports as important as traditional sports?

• Should advertisements on TV be banned during children's shows?

• Is tourism harmful to the environment?

• Should schools replace textbooks with tablets?

• Should everyone learn basic first aid?

• Are celebrities good role models?

• Should teenagers make their own career choices?

• Is public speaking an essential skill?

• Should school holidays be shorter?

• Is texting killing real communication skills?

• Should students evaluate their teachers regularly?

• Should cooking classes be compulsory?

• Should bottled water be banned?

• Are video games good for the brain?

• Should everyone volunteer regularly?

• Should graffiti artists be punished?

• Is homeschooling better than public schooling?

• Should exams be replaced by continuous assessment?

• Is owning pets ethical?

• Should children participate in competitive sports?

• Is street food safe to eat?

• Should people be fined for littering?

• Should TV commercials for medicines be banned?

• Is public Wi-Fi safe?

• Should all museums have free entry?

• Is air travel too cheap?

Upper-Intermediate (B2+) Debate and DiscussionTopics

• Should schools have surveillance cameras?

• Should vegan diets be promoted by governments?

• Should private schools be banned?

• Should driver’s education be mandatory in high schools?

• Should students study abroad at least once?

• Should self-driving cars be allowed everywhere?

• Is face-to-face communication better than digital?

• Should historical sites have entry fees?

• Should school grades be eliminated?

• Is online privacy possible today?

• Should public transportation operate 24/7?

• Is remote work the future of employment?

• Should healthcare workers have higher salaries?

• Is traditional marriage outdated?

• Should governments limit working hours per week?

• Are unpaid internships fair?

• Should music education be compulsory?

• Should climate-change education be compulsory?

• Should countries have open borders?

• Should university attendance be compulsory?

• Is urbanization harmful?

• Should sugary drinks carry health warnings?

• Are unpaid community services beneficial for students?

• Should university athletes be paid?

• Should gambling be banned completely?

• Are standardized tests fair?

• Should social media influencers be regulated?

• Should there be more public holidays?

• Should companies provide free childcare?

• Should remote-learning options always be available?

Advanced (C1) Debate and DiscussionTopics

• Should universal basic income be adopted worldwide?

• Should countries invest heavily in space exploration?

• Is human genetic engineering ethical?

• Should hate speech be illegal globally?

• Should people be required to pass a parenting test?

• Should fossil fuels be completely banned by 2050?

• Should unpaid housework be officially recognized?

• Should freedom of speech have limitations?

• Are trade unions still necessary today?

• Should intellectual property rights be loosened?

• Should politicians undergo psychological testing?

• Should developed countries be obligated to help developing countries?

• Is surveillance justified for national security?

• Is patriotism harmful or beneficial?

• Should there be global standards for worker rights?

• Should multinational corporations be taxed more heavily?

• Should nuclear power be expanded globally?

• Should governments ban data collection by tech companies?

• Should national debts be forgiven?

• Should governments regulate cryptocurrency?

• Is meritocracy fair?

• Should countries prioritize economic growth over environmental protection?

• Should education systems eliminate standardized testing entirely?

• Should historical artifacts be returned to their original countries?

• Is animal cloning ethical?

• Should medical research prioritize curing rare diseases over common ones?

• Should online anonymity be abolished?

• Should artificial intelligence have legal rights?

• Should citizenship be awarded by birthplace or parentage?

• Is cultural appropriation always wrong?

Why Are Debates and Discussions Important for ESL Students?

• Improve speaking skills – Debating helps students speak confidently.

• Expand vocabulary – Students learn new words related to various topics.

• Practice listening – Understanding different opinions improves comprehension.

• Think critically – Debating teaches students to form and defend their arguments.

How to Organize a Debate or Discussion?

100 Useful Phrases for Debating

📌 Introduction and Opening Statements

• First and foremost, let me state that...

• Today, our side firmly believes that...

• I'd like to begin by pointing out...

• It is clear to us that...

• Ladies and gentlemen, we stand firmly in favor/opposition of...

• Let's start by examining...

• It is important to clarify at the outset...

• Allow me to define some key terms...

• Before we go any further, we need to address...

• The motion before us today is clearly justified/unjustified because...

📌 Presenting Your Argument

• Firstly, let's consider...

• My first argument revolves around...

• I'd like to draw your attention to...

• It's evident from the fact that...

• One compelling reason is...

• Let me elaborate on...

• Another crucial point is...

• Furthermore, we must consider...

• It's essential to understand that...

• Statistics clearly demonstrate that...

📌 Giving Examples and Evidence

• For instance, let's look at...

• Take, for example...

• A good illustration of this is...

• To illustrate this point further...

• Evidence suggests that...

• Research clearly indicates...

• Recent studies have shown...

• History provides ample evidence that...

• As an example, consider...

• Real-world experience confirms...

📌 Expressing Opinions Clearly

• In my opinion...

• It seems to me that...

• I strongly believe...

• Without a doubt...

• Clearly...

• I firmly assert...

• There's no denying that...

• I would argue that...

• I am convinced that...

• It is my contention that...

📌 Agreeing and Supporting

• Absolutely.

• We fully support the view that...

• We couldn't agree more.

• You have a valid point when you say...

• Indeed, we share your perspective...

• That’s exactly our point.

• As my colleague already mentioned...

• This clearly aligns with our stance...

• Certainly, that is undeniable...

• Your argument strengthens our own...

📌 Disagreeing and Challenging

• I must strongly disagree.

• I'm afraid that's not the case.

• On the contrary...

• That argument simply does not hold water.

• Your point fails to consider...

• That's completely incorrect.

• Unfortunately, that assertion is flawed...

• There's a clear fallacy in that argument.

• That simply isn't supported by the facts.

• I see your point, but...

📌 Countering Arguments and Rebuttals

• I'd like to respond directly to that point...

• Let me refute your argument by saying...

• To counter that claim...

• However, your argument neglects...

• While that might seem true initially...

• Contrary to what you've claimed...

• Your point doesn't address...

• This perspective is overly simplistic because...

• If we examine your claim closely...

• You have overlooked an important factor...

📌 Clarifying and Restating

• Allow me to clarify...

• In other words...

• Let me put it differently...

• To put it simply...

• What I'm essentially saying is...

• Allow me to rephrase that...

• To reiterate my earlier point...

• Let me summarize briefly...

• What we mean by this is...

• Just to be absolutely clear...

📌 Asking Questions

• Could you explain how...?

• What evidence do you have for...?

• Can you provide an example of...?

• How can you justify...?

• Wouldn't you agree that...?

• Are you suggesting that...?

• Have you considered the fact that...?

• Don't you think it's inconsistent to say...?

• Could you clarify your statement about...?

• How would you address...?

📌 Concluding and Summarizing

• In conclusion...

• To sum up...

• Finally, I'd like to stress...

• Ultimately, we have demonstrated that...

• As we've clearly shown...

• The arguments presented leave no doubt that...

• All things considered...

• Let me finish by saying...

• The evidence we've offered proves conclusively that...

• Therefore, we urge you to support/reject this motion.

FAQ

How do you start a debate in class?

Start with a clear topic, divide students into teams, and give them time to prepare their arguments before starting the discussion.

What is the best way to practice for a debate?

Practice speaking with classmates, watch debates online, and prepare key points in advance.

How can beginners improve their debating skills?

They should start with simple topics, use basic phrases, and practice speaking slowly and clearly.

What are good debate topics for teenagers?

Topics like social media, school rules, technology, and personal freedoms work well for teenagers.

How can I encourage shy students to participate?

Pair them with a supportive partner, let them prepare in advance, and give them easy questions to start with.