This weekly Public Forum Debate class is designed for those who are ready to move beyond quick opinions and into real research, strong arguments, and confident debate skills.

This is an ongoing club focused on steady growth over time. Students will build confidence, deepen their thinking, and strengthen their speaking skills through consistent practice and guided feedback.

How the class works:

The class meets weekly for 90 minutes and follows the Public Forum debate format in a supportive, encouraging environment.

Instead of switching topics every week, we will focus on a single debate topic for at least one full month.

We will work through the full debate process, including researching evidence, building a structured case, practicing speeches, and responding to opposing arguments. Because topics last several weeks, students have time to revise and improve their work based on instructor feedback.

What to expect:

• Research credible sources and evaluate evidence
• Build complete Public Forum debate cases with clear claims and impacts
• Practice persuasive speaking with time limits
• Learn how to respond to opposing arguments in rebuttals and crossfire
• Refine their cases over time with instructor feedback
• Prepare for optional online debate competitions with students from around the world

Over time, you will progress from foundational debate skills to more advanced strategies such as weighing impacts, extending arguments, and responding under pressure.

Benefits:

Parents often see debate skills transfer into other academic areas. This class helps kids:

• Speak more clearly and confidently
• Think critically and organize ideas
• Support opinions with evidence
• Build strong research and writing skills
• Gain confidence participating in discussions and presentations

This class is a great fit for those who enjoy discussing ideas, are curious about real-world topics, and want to build strong communication and critical thinking skills through ongoing practice.

No prior debate experience required.