Abdimas: Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat Universitas Merdeka Malang
Vol. 10 No. 3 (2025): August 2025

Empowering teachers with debate as a 21st-Century teaching strategy

Uci Elly Kholidah (Department of English Literature, Faculty of Languages and Arts, Universitas Negeri Surabaya)
Lina Purwaning Hartanti (Department of English Literature, Faculty of Languages and Arts, Universitas Negeri Surabaya)
Pratiwi Retnaningdyah (Department of English Literature, Faculty of Languages and Arts, Universitas Negeri Surabaya)
Widyastuti (Department of English Literature, Faculty of Languages and Arts, Universitas Negeri Surabaya)
Sueb (Department of English Education, Faculty of Languages and Arts, Universitas Negeri Surabaya)
Layli Hidayah (Indonesian Language and Literature Education, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education (FKIP), `Universitas Islam Malang)



Article Info

Publish Date
30 Aug 2025

Abstract

This community engagement program was implemented to enhance critical and argumentative thinking skills through debate strategies at SMA SAIM Surabaya. The background of this initiative stems from the limited practice of structured debates and the lack of systematic integration of critical thinking in daily classroom activities. The primary objective was to enhance the capacity of both teachers and students to incorporate debate as a cross-curricular teaching method, applicable not only in language subjects but also in science, social studies, and physical education. The program was carried out through intensive training, direct practice via microteaching, reflection, and classroom mentoring. Evaluation was conducted both formatively and summatively, utilising daily reflections, logbooks, observations, and group discussions. The results showed a significant increase in teachers’ understanding of debate as a pedagogical strategy, their ability to design debate-based lesson scenarios, and the confidence of both teachers and students to engage in constructive argumentation. Over 90% of participating teachers reported an improvement in competence and the successful integration of debate into lesson planning. The program also produced training modules, assessment rubrics, and led to the establishment of a teacher learning community to support the sustainable integration of debate-based innovation in the school.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

jpkm

Publisher

Subject

Humanities

Description

ABDIMAS: Published by Institute for Research and Community Services (Lembaga Penelitian dan Pengabdian kepada Masyarakat (LPPM)) University of Merdeka Malang as the implementation of science, technology, economics, environment, and social in empowering the community. ABDIMAS: Jurnal Pengabdian ...