Students who perform well in debating are often those who begin early. Developing confidence, public speaking skills, and basic analytical skills while still at intermediate school is also invaluable to students as they begin their journey towards secondary school.
As such, we are excited to launch the Auckland Primary & Intermediate Debating Competitions! The competition, and associated tutorial and adjudications, are designed specifically to introduce year 7 and 8 students to debating.
Please find details regarding the competition format below, and fill out the form to register your school’s interest and secure your place today.
If the form below is not allowing you to submit your information, please email us on info@debatingacademy.co.nz.
Competition Structure
- Initial ‘How to Debate’ seminar for all students entered, to understand the basics of debating
- Five preliminary rounds of debates over terms 1-3 (including feedback after each debate).
- Semi final and grand final in term 4.
Format of Debates
- Teams will contain three speakers who will each speak once; followed by a single ‘reply/summary’ speech for each team, delivered by either the first or second speaker.
- Each speech will be four minutes in length; reply speeches will be two minutes in length.
- Students will receive topics to prepare for the debate in advance. Topics will be accessible enough that the preparation required is not overly onerous.
- Students will receive a judgment for the debate, as well as individualised feedback from an experienced university debater after each debate.
The cost of entry for the competition is $350 per team. This includes the ‘How to Debate’ seminar, as well as judging for all of the preliminary rounds, the semi-finals, and final. Individual speaker awards will also be provided at the conclusion of the competition.
Interested in enrolling in our Auckland Debating Academy specialist coaching classes? Click below!