Below are a series of answers to questions we have received from interested students. Please feel free to email us on info@debatingacademy.co.nz if you have any further questions.
Who will be in my class?
As far as possible, students will be placed in classes with other students of a similar skill level. This approach will help students learn from those alongside them, and allows for more targeted instruction.
The first week of class will be used to gauge where students currently are in their development as debaters, before final class allocations are made.
Do I need to have debated before to join the Academy?
Certainly not. For new debaters, we’ll start right from the beginning: how to make arguments, eliminate verbal crutches and gain the confidence needed to be a good debater. Students will be provided with progress reports that keep them up to date with their development.
If I’ve already done some debating before, can I still join the Academy?
Absolutely. For those with experience, classes will focus on the more advanced aspects of debating. This will involve teaching students about strategy, how to make points concisely and emphatically, and the finer elements of case construction. Students will learn to think about debating in a way that sets them apart from their peers.
What will each lesson cover?
Each lesson will be unique. Some lessons will involve practice debates with extensive feedback provided to students. Others will focus on style and manner in order to make students more compelling debaters. There will also be lessons that cover content – examining the important issues and arguments that frequently appear in debates. Classes will be varied and interesting!
Do I need to attend every class?
Yes. The programme is structured for students to attend every class. For instance, practice debates will often cover the material taught in a previous content seminar. This approach allows for students to maximise their development and the value they get from the academy.