DEBATES AS A TYPE OF DISCUSSION IN ENGLISH TEACHING FOR TECHNICAL STUDENTS

One of the ways to develop students' foreign language communication competence is using debates. The work presents the analysis of debates as a type of discussion in English teaching for students in higher technical universities. The relevant topics of debates in the educational, technical and scientific, professionally oriented spheres are outlined. Debates are analyzed according to the following criteria: conditions of communication, quantity of participants, the aim of communication, and the nature of the situation. It is possible to differentiate debates in accordance with the form of presentation, the participants involved in the discussion, the place of organization, division of opinions, involved spheres, priority of types of speech activity, control and function. Foreign language communicative, compensatory, intellectual, training and organizational skills are defined. The acceptable styles of debates for technical students are outlined; the evaluation of debates is considered.