Course Objectives

• Give students an introduction to the basic concepts of policy debating, including cases, point structure and rebuttal.

• Provide students with a range of opportunities to participate in practice debates.

• Allow students to build their confidence and practice their skills over the course of the term.

Description

Bookings for Term #1 are now open!

Debating is an integral part of the modern co-curricular programs run at schools today.  Not only does it help students develop their confidence -and work as a team – it also helps other essential skills crucial in day-to-day life at school. From critical thinking to building resilience (losing is never easy, but it’s even more difficult after giving a speech), there is plenty that all students can take away from debating!

Our Debating Parrots program provides students with the foundations they’ll need to take part in (and in most cases actually enjoy) debating.  Through learning proper case theory, argument structure and rebuttal strategy, this course is a great way to prepare students for some of the new speaking and analytical challenges they will be presented with throughout late primary and early high school.

Whilst Debating Parrots always covers the basics concepts involved in policy debating, the focus of the program changes every term:

• Term #1 looks at how to best develop cases as a team;
• Term #2 focuses on deeper argumentation and making strong points;
• Term #3 emphasises persuasive debating to help students better persuade their adjudicators; and
• Term #4 hones in on rebuttal, and how to best tackle your opponents.

Whilst it’s recommended that students give each of these streams a try, there is no particular need to start with any of them, meaning students are welcome to join at any time!

As with all our programs, class sizes are kept small so that each student can be provided with maximum support and attention, including plenty of individualised feedback from our experienced coaches.

By the end of each program, students will have:

• a feedback sheet, prepared individually for them by their coach, which goes through what they’ve improved on, and what still needs some work;
• a certificate recognising their achievements;
• a course booklet that covers everything they’ve learned throughout the program;
• the speech that they prepared for their final presentations; and
• a better understanding of how debating works from a practical perspective!