Fostering a Nurturing Class Environment
Each program starts with the coach facilitating a welcoming class environment and ensuring that all students understand the fundamental rules and concepts involved with debating – making sure everyone, regardless of experience, is up to speed. The early sessions also involve a range of speaking activities that help students develop their debating skills.
Topic Analysis
Once students have covered the essentials, this program first looks at analysing topics. Determining what a topic means, even if you don’t understand it at first, can be one of the key differences between a win and a loss in a debate. By understanding what a topic is asking, and what you need to prove, you give yourself the best opportunity to walk out of the room victorious.
Regret and Support Motions
Secondly, this program then takes students through ‘support’ and ‘regret’ motions. These topics, which students have likely not been previously exposed to, ask the affirmative team whether they prefer a world with something in it (i.e. support) or without something in it (i.e. regret). Given these topics ask students to reflect on what has been, rather than requiring the affirmative to propose a change to the world, it can make for some very fun and interesting new approaches to debating!
Actor Debates
Finally, the Topic Analysis focus takes students through actor debates. These motions add further complexity, and ask students to argue from the perspective of a certain person, organisation of group. Given this involves considering the motivations of the actor, rather than the general good of society like normal debates, it often leads to some interesting and fun debates!
Practice Debates
In addition to all the theory, students will have the opportunity to participate in multiple practice debates 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.
