The doctoral thesis of Maija Ročāne in pedagogy, in sub-sector school pedagogy „The promotion of students` self-directed learning in the process of debating”, developed in the Institute of Educational Sciences of Liepaja University, scientific advisor: Dr. paed. professor Alīda Samuseviča. The doctoral thesis was written during the period from 2013 to 2019. The aim of the doctoral thesis is: to develop in theory and practice-based pedagogical preconditions promoting self-directed learning components for implementing debating in English language classes. In the first part of the doctoral thesis, the theoretical analysis of learning taxonomies and models has been carried out, revealing the interconnectedness of important components in the learning process and the pedagogical potential of debating. The model of self-directed learning has been developed as well. The second part of the doctoral thesis highlights the results of the empirical research on the impact of self-directed learning components on students’ ability to reach learning goals. There are also opportunities for developing transversal competences in the process of debating highlighted and didactic structuring approach has developed and approbated. Theoretical analysis and the results of empirical research show that students in the process of debating implement self-directed learning, while respondents without debating experience are more dependent on the teacher in the process of learning. According to the research questions raised in the thesis, the main conclusions emphasize the scientific and practical novelty of the research.