Debating Pandas

Understanding the range of intricate concepts involved in debating is quite a task, and among these, rebuttal often poses the most significant challenge for many students. This isn’t surprising, as rebuttals typically can’t be prepared in advance and demand on-the-spot thinking to counter unpredictable arguments.

Mastering rebuttal is not only crucial for debate but also serves as a valuable life skill.

Our focused Policy Rebuttal stream is designed specifically to help students hone this skill. The program encourages students to critically analyse cases and arguments and then develop effective strategies to counter opponents’ points whilst strengthening their own.

For anyone aspiring to excel in debating, this stream is a must.

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

• learn a range of introductory concepts and principles focusing on the essential elements of debating, placing a particular emphasis on rebuttal strategies;
• deploy what they have learned in at least three 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.

Policy Rebuttal

Throughout the term, students will explore the essential elements of debating, with a focus on rebuttal.

Building on these fundamentals, students will examine various approaches to rebuttal, including structure, targeted ideas, and strategies to demonstrate that their case is stronger than their opponent’s.

Interactive tasks and constructive feedback will reinforce these principles, enabling students to apply their knowledge effectively for deeper understanding.

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!