Debating Wallabies

The key to winning any debate is not any individual performance – instead, it is how well a team works together that determines their success.

Our Term #1 program focuses on Value Cases, and how debaters can work as a team to best persuade their adjudicator. In addition to the other essential debating skills – argumentation, rebuttal and persuasive speaking – students will take a deep dive into the world of undefined terms, criteria and burdens, and how they can use these tools to link their points with what they need to prove as a team to win debates.

These are then tied into a range of speaking activities and debates, all with plenty of personalised feedback, to help them put these concepts into practice.

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

• learn a range of introductory concepts and principles, including case theory, burdens, argumentation and rebuttal, focusing on ‘value’ type debating topics;

• gain lots of exposure to speaking activities, which will help them build confidence and develop good speaking habits and techniques; and

• practice their budding skills in a supportive environment, alongside peers of a similar age and ability level.

Our Debating Wallabies program is a mixed-level class for students in Years 3 & 4, and aims to help:

• Students who have no (or little) debating experience and/or no (or little) public speaking experience;
• Students who have already completed one or more terms of Debating Wallabies, as given the focus changes every term, students can continue the program across Years 3 & 4 with no repetition;
• Students who have participated in any of our other Term Programs (such as Public Speaking Wombats, Presentation Skills Lions or Presentation Skills Leopards); or
• Students who have given our holiday workshops (such as Speaking Camp Koalas or Speaking Camp Kangaroos) a go, and are looking to continue their debating journey!

We usually recommend that students continue with Debating Wallabies throughout Years 3 & 4 – there is a different focus every term, so there’s always something new for students to learn!

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.

Value Case Fundamentals

Over the first few sessions, students will learn about the fundamentals of a value case, including how to structure both affirmative and negative cases, develop their argumentation skills and define criteria.

These concepts will be paired with interactive activities so that students can apply what they are learning to gain a 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 Wallabies 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 wants to try public speaking, our Public Speaking Wombats program teaches students all the essential skills they need to become great public speakers!

However, if you’re looking for something during a school break, you may want to try one of our holiday workshops, such as Speaking Camp Kangaroos, 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!