Objective: Develop verbal fluency with advanced philosophical vocabulary by making connections between complex concepts.
Materials: None required
Step 1: Vocabulary Preview (5-10 minutes)
Words to Use:
- Ontology
- Empiricism
- Paradox
- Determinism
- Dialectic
- Nihilism
- Hedonism
- Transcendence
- Teleology
- Existentialism
Instructions:
- Introduce each word verbally, defining each one simply and concisely. Ask your learner if they’re already familiar with any of the terms.
- For each word, ask them to offer a brief example or description to check understanding.
Step 2: Concept Connections Game (10-15 minutes)
Instructions:
- Starting Point: Choose one word to start with and ask the learner to explain it in their own words. For example, start with existentialism.
- Building Connections: Introduce a second word (e.g., nihilism) and ask them to connect or contrast it with the first word:
- “How does nihilism relate to existentialism?”
- “What would an existentialist say about nihilism?”
- Continue Adding Vocabulary Words: Add each of the remaining words one by one, asking the learner to connect each new term to the previous concepts.
- “What’s the relationship between hedonism and determinism?”
- “How does transcendence differ from empiricism?”
Prompts:
- “How does [new word] relate to or contrast with [previous word]?”
- “How would a philosopher who believes in [word] view [another word]?”
Goal: By the end, they should have connected or contrasted all vocabulary words, strengthening their ability to articulate complex ideas in English.
Step 3: Philosophical Debate (5-10 minutes)
Debate Topics (choose one):
- “Is reality subjective?”
- “Does true altruism exist?”
- “Are humans truly free, or is everything determined?”
Instructions:
- Choose a topic and ask the learner to argue for the topic, using at least three of the vocabulary words.
- Midway through, switch sides, asking them to argue against the topic, again using vocabulary words.
Goal: This helps them use vocabulary in different contexts and articulate both sides of a philosophical argument.
Step 4: Reflection Round (5 minutes)
Reflection Questions:
- “Which words felt easiest to use, and which were more challenging?”
- “Is there a word you’d like to discuss further?”
Lesson Outcome: Through discussion and spontaneous use of vocabulary, the learner will gain greater fluency and confidence with philosophical terms, preparing them for advanced conversations in English.
