Debating Parrots

When we step into a debate, there is but one goal – to persuade the adjudicator.

Whilst we might have logical arguments and soaring rhetoric, unless we’ve got an engaging speaking manner and an understanding of how each of the individual speaker roles function as part of a team, there is always a real chance that an adjudicator will overlook us for the more interestingly and cohesively delivered case.

Over the term, students in our Parrots class will be exposed to all the main elements of debating – cases, argumentation and rebuttal – but instead of looking at them as academic concepts, we’ll facilitate students’ understanding of how strong manner can help deliver all three in a more persuasive way.

This is what can make good points great, and can make all the difference in a debate context.

Over the course of the term, students going through the Persuading Adjudicators focus will have the opportunity to:

• look at a variety of fundamental concepts and principles and consider their connection to each speaker’s role in a debate;
• gain lots of exposure to speaking activities, which will help them build confidence and develop good speaking habits and techniques; and
• practice their budding skills in a supportive environment, alongside peers of a similar age and ability level.

Our Debating Parrots program is a mixed-level class for students in Years 5 – 7 designed for students starting out in the world of public speaking as well as those with some speaking experience.

Debating Parrots caters for:

• Students who have no (or little) debating experience and/or no (or little) public speaking experience;
• All students in Year 5 & 6 who are interested in learning debating (as the intermediate Debating Pandas program only accepts students from Year 7 onwards);
• Students who have already completed one or more terms of Debating Parrots, but aren’t ready to move up to Debating Pandas (the focus changes every term, students can continue the program for two years with no repetition);
• Students who have done one or more terms of Debating Wallabies, which looks at different types of topics (and so builds a different, if complementary, set of debating skills); and
• Students who have public speaking, but no debating experience (such as completing Public Speaking Penguins, Public Speaking Wombats or Speaking Camp Kangaroos).

We usually recommend that students do at least four terms of Debating Parrots, especially those in Year 5 & 6, before moving up to Debating Pandas to ensure that they cover all the essential concepts inherent to debating and feel comfortable with older students!

Please get in touch if you’d like to discuss what’s best for your child!

Fostering a Nurturing Class Environment

Each program commences with the coach creating a welcoming class environment and ensuring that all students grasp the fundamental rules and concepts of debating – ensuring everyone, regardless of experience, is on the same page.

The initial sessions also incorporate various speaking activities to aid students in honing their debating skills.

The Best Techniques for Persuading Adjudicators

For the Persuading Adjudicators focus for our Parrots program, students will generally cover:

• Topic #1 – Introductions, icebreakers & revision of essential debating concepts
• Topic #2 – Policy case structures for both the affirmative and negative teams
• Topic #3 – Understanding speaker role structures and what each speaker must cover
• Topic #4 – Crafting a convincing practical argument
• Topic #5 – Verbal and physical manner and how it helps convince your audience
• Topic #6 – Effective methods to rebut the opposing team
• Topic #7 – Pulling each concept together across multiple practice debates and an end of term presentation

Practice Debates

In addition to all the theory, students will have the opportunity to participate in multiple practice debates and speaking activities during the term.  Each debate will be on a different topic, and students will have the opportunity to speak in different roles each time.

End of Term Presentation

Each term ends with a presentation, either to peers or parents (depending on the venue). This is an excellent opportunity for students to showcase what they’ve learned over the course of the term and continue their confidence-building journey.

Students generally spend the last session or two preparing and practising their debating speeches for the presentation.

Coaches will also provide an update to parents on what was covered during the term, as well as what comes next for the students’ debating journeys.

As a mixed-experience program, our Debating Parrots program is designed to be completed multiple times – with a different focus every term, there’s always something new for students to take away from the program!

Alternatively, if your child wants to try public speaking, our Public Speaking Penguins program teaches students all the essential skills they need to become great public speakers!

Once they feel comfortable with debating, coaches may recommend students in Years 6 or 7 (but not students in Year 5) move up to the Intermediate Debating Pandas program, which will help more advanced students engage with more complex concepts alongside older and more experienced debaters.

However, if you’re looking for something during a school break, you may want to try one of our holiday workshops, such as Debating Hawks or Public Speaking Polar Bears (for Year 6 & 7 students), which builds on the skills learned during the term.

Check out our Frequently Asked Questions, or get in touch using our contact form to learn more!