If you are ready to sharpen your discussion skills and express complex ideas with confidence, this course offers a structured path to do exactly that. Led by Chris Edenfield, a teacher with eight years of experience teaching English in Colombia and a Bachelor's of Arts in Psychology from Rutgers University, the program focuses on real communicative competence at the C1 level.
What will you learn in this advanced English course?
The course is built around four core competencies that every advanced learner needs to master [01:30]:
- Politely making contributions to a discussion. You will practice how to intervene in conversations respectfully, using appropriate language to agree, disagree, or add a new perspective without interrupting the flow.
- Using the problem-solution pattern. This rhetorical structure helps you describe situations clearly by first presenting a problem, then proposing a logical solution. It is widely used in academic and professional English.
- Adding critical information to a story. Beyond basic narration, you will learn how to layer relevant details that strengthen your message and keep listeners engaged.
- Justifying a point of view with complex yet cohesive arguments. This is where true C1 proficiency shines. You will work on building arguments that are not only well-supported but also logically connected, using advanced cohesive devices.
These four skills are essential for anyone preparing for international exams, professional settings, or academic environments where English is the working language.
How does the learning methodology work?
The course relies on active participation and varied formats to keep you engaged [02:08]:
- Note-taking. You are encouraged to write down key vocabulary, structures, and examples during every lesson.
- Interactive quizzes. These reinforce what you have studied and help you identify areas that need more attention.
- Role plays. Listening to and analyzing role plays exposes you to natural conversation patterns, intonation, and turn-taking strategies.
- Challenges and questions. Participating in challenges pushes you to apply what you learn, while asking questions ensures you fully understand each topic.
Why are debates and discussions important at the C1 level?
At this stage, fluency alone is not enough. A C1 speaker must handle nuance, persuasion, and structured reasoning. Debates and discussions provide the perfect context because they demand quick thinking, precise vocabulary, and the ability to organize ideas under pressure. The combination of these skills is what separates an intermediate speaker from a truly advanced one.
What makes cohesive arguments different from simple opinions?
A cohesive argument connects ideas logically through linking words, supporting evidence, and a clear line of reasoning. Unlike a simple opinion, which might stand alone, a cohesive argument builds on each point so the listener can follow your thinking from start to finish. Mastering this pattern is one of the main goals of the course.
Whether you are preparing for a certification exam or simply want to feel more confident in professional conversations, the skills covered here will give you practical tools you can use immediately. Share in the comments what discussion topic you would most like to practice.
