Debating Pandas

Arguments form the basis of all debates and are the bread and butter of any speech – they usually make up a substantial amount of any speaker’s allotted speaking time. However, whilst students may be able to easily determine the general benefits and harms a policy might create (what we call ‘practical arguments’), it can be much more difficult to engage in Principled Debating. Developing these types of arguments is the focus of our Pandas program in Term #3.

In addition to looking at other concepts essential in any debate – such as cases, rebuttal and speaking manner – this particular stream of Debating Pandas focuses on devising and structuring effective principled arguments, as well as a range of common principles (such as freedom of choice) and how these interact with more common benefits and harms.

Students then implement these argumentation skills in a range of debates and speaking activities, all the while receiving plenty of personalised feedback to help them to continue their development.

Over the course of the term, students will have the opportunity to:

• learn core introductory theory about ‘Policy’ debates;

• explore case development, argument structure and rebuttal strategies, with a particular focus on principled points and common principles

• deploy what they have learned in several in-class debates across the term;

• practice different speaking roles and argue from both affirmative and negative sides of a debate; and

• learn how to work effectively in a team environment!

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.

Principled Argumentation

In order to effectively debate more complex concepts, students will be introduced to the cornerstones of debating argumentation. Starting with a brief analysis of practical arguments, the bulk of the program will focus on principled points and how they can be used to overcome what appear to be strong practical benefits.

To ensure these concepts aren’t just theoretical, interactive activities that are paired with constructive feedback will be incorporated frequently. This approach allows students to implement their newly acquired skills in a practical context.

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!