Debate and Speech Club: Learn Argumentation and Public Speaking

In this class we will be working on fundamental debate skills.  Student will learn what a proper debate looks like, and how to argue their side properly. They will also learn excellent listening skills, and how to not only hear the other speaker, but to reply to what they said; understand it, and then debate the topic.  In each class every learner will be able to practice speaking, debating, and listening skills. 

Sample Topics

-It is better  to have the power to fly than to be invisible. 
-Is Digital Technology making Lives Better for Children?
-Television is a good influence for children
-The great Fur Debate
-Cats or Dogs make better pets
-Homework should be Banned
-Uniforms Should be Worn at school
-Humans Should not Eat Animals

Many people of all ages struggle with the ability to speak in public. It is a fear that even the most professional people have, although we all need this skill to succeed in life. Students will learn how to have an empowering voice. During our debate and speech club class learners will learn to overcome their anxieties of speaking in public, as well as learning life long needed skills of argumentation. Debate skills are not only needed in the workforce, but in everyday communication. 

The student will help give recommendations for future topics. We will not use sensitive topics such as abortion, drugs or sexuality. The teacher will assign the topic and choose which side each student will be on. The debates will have two teams.  Learners will be given their  topic by the teacher, and will be given time to prepare their side. We will have a proposition team and an opposition team. The students will get to present their opening case, learn how to argue a topic, and add on their personal points.  After the opening speaker presents their case we then have rebuttal rounds where students will learn how to address each point the speaker made, and then learn how to weaken their points, and add on their own additional views. Additionally, students will learn how to properly interrupt a speaker.  Debaters and Listeners will have flow sheets to actively take notes throughout the entire debate in order to stay organized and rebuttal effectively.

If we have a full class the students will be given the topic of the week in advance, and will be able to prepare each side, although learners will not know which side they will be on during the debate until class has started. 

If we do not have a full class then we may debate topics on the fly or impromptu.  These type of impromptu speaking and debating is equally important as researched debates because in the real world we will not always be able to have time to prepare and argument, and we need to learn how to communicate and argue properly when not given ample time to prepare.