Debating Wallabies

Whilst we may have a range of different goals for engaging with debating (such as building confidence, developing our critical thinking skills or learning to work as a team) in each individual debate, there is one thing every speaker is aiming for – to be as persuasive as possible.

Even if a speaker has fantastic arguments and asks all the right questions, without an engaging speaking manner and an understanding of how each of the individual speaker roles function, it becomes increasingly difficult for them to come out victorious.

Our Term #2 Wallabies focus emphasises these two goals. In addition to exposing students to each of the main elements of debating (cases, argumentation and rebuttal), students will look at the specific roles each debater plays in a debate and how they can use an engaging manner to get the adjudicator on their side.

Over the course of the term, students undertaking the Persuasive Debating focus will have the opportunity to:

• learn a range of introductory concepts and principles and how these relate to each of the speaker roles in a debate;
• consider a range of different elements of persuasive speeches and develop their own personal presentation style; 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.

Developing as a Persuasive Debater

For the Persuasive Debating focus of our Wallabies program, students will generally cover:

• Topic #1 – Introductions, icebreakers & revision of essential debating concepts
• Topic #2 – Fundamentals of value debates
• Topic #3 – Case structures and positions for both affirmative and negative teams
• Topic #4 – Understanding speaker role structures and what each speaker must cover
• Topic #5 – Creating effective and expanded arguments for value debates
• Topic #6 – Physical and verbal manner and how it persuades an audience
• Topic #7 – Effective methods to rebut the opposing team in a value debate
• Topic #8 – Pulling each concept together across multiple practice debates and an end of term presentation

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!