Practice Debates

Our Practice Debates workshop is an experienced-level program.

Designed for students with formal coaching in debating, we recommend that students only enrol if they have:

• completed either our Debating Hawks or Debating Pandas programs, and feel comfortable with their debating skills;
• previously attended our Practice Debates program, and are interested in further developing their skills (noting the program changes every holiday!);
• given our Debating Club program a go during the term;
• they’ve received formal training with another provider; or
• they attend a school with a comprehensive debating training program, and competed in a number of interschool debates.

If you’re not sure whether your child would be better suited for our Debating Hummingbirds, Debating Hawks or Practice Debates workshop, please get in touch and we would be more than happy to discuss it with you!

Check out our video on what to expect at our in-person holiday workshops below!

Over the duration of the Practice Debates program, students will:

• be given various opportunities to present in practice debates, taking on different roles each time;
• receive personal feedback from an experienced and enthusiastic coach, which can then be practiced in the following debates; and
• have exposure to a range of important concepts, that will help them develop a more holistic understanding of debating.

Given the modular nature of the Practice Debates program, there is no strict timetable that coaches are required to follow – that said, students can generally expect to:

• participate in at least 3-4 debates over the workshop, each on a different topic;
• have time set aside for personal feedback which they can implement in the following practice debate; and
• at least one theory session each day, focusing on a topic the coach believes will best benefit the group as a whole.

Students will also be exposed to a range of debating related activities.  These will help them develop their confidence and impromptu speaking skills, whilst at the same time ensuring that they have an enjoyable experience at the program!

Our classes vary in size every holiday depending on how many bookings we receive – however, the maximum size of our Practice Debates classes is 9 students with one coach, and 16 students with two coaches.

If there aren’t any spots left, it’s usually because we’ve hit capacity – please get in touch with us and we’ll see what we can do about either opening an extra class, fitting your child into the existing class, or putting you on a waitlist in case any students pull out!

After each Practice Debates program (which can be repeated indefinitely), students will go home with:

• a feedback sheet prepared by their coach, which outlines what they’ve improved on during the course, and what they could continue to work on in the future;
• a certificate recognising that they have completed the Practice Debates workshop;
• a workbook containing any notes that the students wrote down during the course; and
• a more holistic understanding of debating!

If you’re interested in doing another holiday workshop, we would recommend that students move on to either:

• our Practice Debates program again – the program changes every holiday, so students will learn something new every time they complete it; or
• if your child is looking for something different, our Public Speaking Honeyeaters (Years 5 – 7) or Public Speaking Polar Bears (Years 7 – 9) workshop will provide a new challenge!

Alternatively, if you’re looking for a weekly term program, we offer:

• Public Speaking Penguins, which takes Year 5 – 7 students through various different public speaking skills each term; or
• Debating Club, a modular class for Year 7 – 10 students to practice their skills each and every week.

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