Topical Talk
Resource type: Lesson plans and teaching aids
Price band: Free
Key stage: KS2, KS3
Region(s): All of UK
Topical Talk is a programme of resources designed to help students aged 9-14 develop critical thinking and communication skills through discussions about the issues facing our world today.
There are two parts to the Topical Talk programme:
- Free teaching resources designed to stimulate classroom discussions about the news. There are Headlines resources published every week that cover a different news story and Projects that explore a news issue in greater depth over five sessions.
- The Topical Talk Student Hub (paid for), a moderated online discussion platform where young people can publish their opinions to a global audience, join discussions with peers from around the world, deepen their understanding of a particular topic by submitting questions to expert contributors and take part in regular competitions.
Cost: Topical Talk teaching resources are free. You can upgrade your account to include access to the Student Hub for a fee.
About The Economist Educational Foundation: The Economist Educational Foundation is an independent charity set up by The Economist. Its mission is to help young people develop the necessary skills to enable them to engage critically with the news and current affairs.
Literacy Hive Likes:
- The teaching resources are created by experienced teachers working with journalists and fact-checkers at The Economist to ensure that all the information provided is accurate and up-to-date.
- Topical Talk does not take a position on any issue but presents balanced arguments and diverse perspectives to encourage students to make up their own minds.
- The teaching resources are designed to provide everything you need to lead the weekly one-hour sessions.
- All the activities are designed to help students develop key listening, speaking, problem solving and creative thinking skills as well as the critical skills needed to interrogate the news and distinguish between fact and ‘fake’.
- Useful Help section with videos and additional resources to help implement Topical Talk.
- Regular webinars and events for teachers covering issues around media literacy are available.
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