At the age of COVID 19 the methodoligist of all the countries faced a new image of cognitive culture, which implies a greater level of independent activity from the student. The teacher got the task of forming this high level. The article emphasizes that for the formation of basic skills of public speaking in a foreign language and the development of communicative competence of students, it is advisable to use such pedagogical technology as debate. Debate is a modern pedagogical technology, which is a special form of discussion, which is conducted according to certain rules. It is a purposeful and orderly, structured exchange of ideas, judgments, opinions. It is emphasized that debates in the educational process occur in the following forms: as a form of lesson; as an element of the lesson: actualization of knowledge, organization of independent work of students, generalization, systematization, consolidation of educational material, providing "feedback"; as a form of attestation and testing of students. It is determined that the target functions and capabilities of the "Debate" technology are wide. The socializing significance is expressed in the fact that debate is a pedagogical tool, a mechanism for involving participants in the norms and values of civil society, which allows students to adapt to modern society, which involves the ability to compete, debate, defend their interests based on existing knowledge and skills. knowledge. The educational value is manifested in the fact that the debate allows participants to develop independence of assessments, moral and ideological position and behavioral attitudes. Debate participants have a higher communication culture, the ability to find a compromise. Developmental significance is expressed in the fact that the debate allows participants to develop will, memory, thinking, including the ability to compare, compare, analyze, find analogies, independently extract and analyze a variety of information on issues relevant to man and society. Didactic value is expressed in the fact that the debate is the basis for the formation of students' general skills and practical skills, as well as the most important qualities needed by modern man. In general, despite the difficulties that arise in the first attempts to adapt the debate to the conditions of the student audience, with the correct organization of all stages of work, this technology can significantly increase the motivation and quality of knowledge acquired by students.