The Speech and Debate club at EF Academy, which met during the fall club period, offered students the opportunity to participate in structured debates while improving the ability to express ideas clearly and persuasively. The club was founded by Victoria, an 11th grader, and led by Ms. Mohammadi and Mr. Wang. Although Speech and Debate will not be meeting during the winter club period, the club made great progress in the past few months.
According to Ms. Mohammadi, debating helps to overcome the fear of speaking in public, increasing self-confidence and self-expression. The club also required teamwork, promoting the ability to collaborate and listen to others while debating current and controversial issues, and promoted a greater understanding of social, political and ethical issues. The club aimed to help students deal with different opinions, develop resilience, and promote the ability to manage conflicts constructively.
The debate club was also a great place for students to grow both personally and academically. As Theo, a 12th grader, said, “I was a very shy person before coming and now I’m not scared of talking in front of people.”
According to Sergey, an 11th grader, another important topic for those who participated in the club was the complexity and dedication that goes into carrying out a debate. Sergey mentioned that it is important to study both positions on the topic, structure your ideas logically, support your claims with data, examples, and quotes from reliable sources. Even though opinions may be strong, Sergey says, maintaining a civil tone is crucial to a productive debate and ultimately summarize your main points and reiterate your final position incisively.
At the same time, it is important to try to develop a comfortable, non-judgmental environment where everyone can feel at ease so as to be able to express themselves in a peaceful manner. And that, according to students, is what the debate club offered.
As Jasmine, an 11th grader, said, “I feel really comfortable expressing myself in front of my classmates because they show me they are really supportive.”
Creativity thrives in judgment-free spaces. When we are not afraid of making mistakes, we feel more encouraged to experiment and think outside the box. In an open and welcoming environment, ideas can flow freely, leading to new discoveries and innovations. People feel motivated to share their insights, contributing to a climate of collaboration and collective growth.
To promote these values, the club listed some rules in one of the first lessons to ensure that no one feels judged and there is an environment of friendship.
According to Irene, an 11th grader, a good debate club participant possesses several qualities that help capture the audience’s attention and effectively communicate their message. Passion for the topic at hand is contagious and engages the audience. A passionate speaker can convey enthusiasm and interest. Appropriate use of body language, such as gestures and posture, can reinforce the message and hold the audience’s attention. A clear voice, with variations in tone and pace, can emphasize key points and maintain attention. Being well prepared increases confidence and allows you to deal with questions or unexpected events with ease.
