My first Publication Dergi | Page 17

DEBATING IN RIGA, LATVIA Students from Turkey, Spain, Portugal, Czechia, Italy gathered in Riga, Latvia for the LTT Activity, Debating. Before coming to Latvia two students from each country read the classic novel PRIDE AND PREJUDICE and they put forward different ideas and we inspired from these ideas and chose the topic "People who are thinking logically are happier than the people who are thinking sensually" So two groups competed in a multicultural area. Each group contained six students (each one from six p a r t n e r countries) Each contestant made 4 minutes speech to persuade the juries and ask opponent team several questions to defend their ideas. The idea "People who are thinking sensually go on a happier life than logical people" won Debating and all students were awarded with certificates. I understood that debating is very important acivity. Yes, very Important because it helps us to improve our speaking skills, talking effectively in front of people. To be honest , I thought at first to persuade viewers and the juries is not easy for a 17-year-old student and also the idea of competition always makes me nervous but when I learnt it would be a team-work I felt myself more comfortable and my thoughts changed to some extent. After coordinator teacher announced the topic “ People who are thinking logically/sensually go on a happier life” each group started reading and searching a lot to gather adeguate information and the questions for the debating. Zeynep and I were the leaders of two opponent debating groups. We were two teams and team-mates shared their knowledge with each other through whatsapp groups that's why we lived a very busy preparation process in our countries before the real performance in Latvia, and also we gave detailed information about debating to the students from Italy, Portugal, Spain,Czechia and Latvia we would compete together for the same idea. In addition we informed each other to prepare pictures and different texts and power point presentations to support our ideas and to be more persuasive in front of the juries. Finally we gathered in Riga from six countries and it was the time for Debating. I was excited while I was making my speech and all contestants,either. But soon after I felt relaxed when I finished my speech. I asked several questions to the other group. Question part was so fun that I enjoyed arguing with my friends. When debating ended I didn't even think about who would win. I was just happy because I realised these moments were so precious in my life that I may not live again. Can you imagine Yes I am 17-year-old-student and I managed a difficult activity in a foreign country in a mulcultural area. The other important thing to me was, of course, friendship. I made friends from different cultures. When the jury announced us the winner group we applauded and congratulated each other. The juries congratulated us, either with certificates and then shared the price together, the cake. -17- Sena TOPALAK 12-F