Debating Pandas

In a debate, our primary aim is to present ourselves as engaging debaters in order to sway the adjudicator.

Even if we possess sound arguments and eloquent rhetoric, without an engaging speaking style and a clear understanding of how each speaker’s role contributes to the team, there’s a risk of being overshadowed by a more persuasive, unified presentation.

Throughout the term, our Pandas students will delve into the core components of debating – case construction, argument formulation, and rebuttal. But instead of treating these as theoretical concepts, we’ll guide students to comprehend how a compelling manner can enhance their delivery, making their points more persuasive.

This approach can elevate good arguments to great ones and can significantly impact the outcome in a debate setting. This focus is about creating a memorable impression and ensuring your voice gets heard.

Over the course of the term, students going through the Engaging Debaters focus will have the opportunity to:

• look at a variety of fundamental ideas and analyse their connection to each speaker’s role in a debate;
• be exposed to a range of informative and engaging speaking activities, each of which helping to build confidence and develop good speaking habits and techniques; and
• practice their evolving skills in a supportive environment, alongside peers of a similar age and ability level.

Our Debating Pandas program is a mixed-level class for students in Years 7 – 9 designed for students starting out in the world of debating as well as those with some speaking experience.

Debating Pandas caters for students in Years 7 who:

• have completed one or more terms of Debating Parrots (or our Debating Hummingbirds or Debating Hawks holiday workshop) and have been recommended to move up by their coach;
• have completed one or more terms of Debating Pandas, and haven’t yet been recommended for the more advanced Debating Club program (which is available for Year 7+); and
• are part of their interschool debating team, or have received formal training from another provider, but are still in primary school (and so cannot yet join Debating Club).

Additionally, Debating Pandas caters for students in Years 8 & 9 who:

• have public speaking, but little (or no) debating experience (such as completing Public Speaking Penguins);
• have completed one or more terms of Debating Pandas, and haven’t yet been recommended for the more advanced Debating Club program (which is available for students in Year 8 & 9); and
• are part of their interschool debating team, or have received formal training from another provider, but are still looking for more of the fundamentals (and so cannot yet join Debating Club).

We usually recommend that students do at least four terms of Debating Pandas, and especially students in Year 7, before moving up to Debating Club to ensure 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.

Becoming Engaging Debaters

For the Engaging Debaters focus for our Pandas 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 a parent 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 Pandas 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 is in Year 7 and 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 move up to the Advanced Debating Club 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, Practice Debates or Public Speaking Polar Bears, 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!