Public Speaking and Debate are intrinsic to our life and society. Hence, students from an early age must be given the opportunities and coaching to develop these skills. This program offers a structured learning environment where students develop their oracy, leadership, collaboration, communication, and critical thinking skills. Through this program, students will learn to master the art of presenting and communicating convincingly and persuasively.

The goal is to prepare students for taking advanced reading, writing and presentation levels. The students will learn in the three main areas of core grammar, reading and comprehension, vocabulary, and writing skills.

Yes. Age is just a number. While the grades serve as a baseline for eligibility to attend the class, we recognize that all students in the same grade are not equal. Sometimes, younger students may have greater talent or vice versa. Therefore, we don’t limit the entry. The only expectation is that the reasoning skills, ability to comprehend verbal passages and communication skills are developed to the extent that they align with other students.

We believe in keeping class sizes small for more personalized and effective learning. Therefore, only 10-12 students are allowed in one class.

There is a 3-point focus in both the foundation and advanced level of public speaking and debate courses- Public Speaking, Debate and Leadership. The English course focuses on Reading & Comprehension, Vocabulary & Writing, and Presentation & Speeches.

English Course (Gr 4-5)

• Core Grammar - nouns, pronouns, articles, verbs, adjectives, conjunctions, prepositions, phrases etc.
• Sentence structure and formation
• Expressions like poetry, short stories etc.
• Verbal analysis & analogies
• Word reasoning and verbal comprehension
• Presentations and speeches

 Public Speaking & Debate Foundation (Gr 5-6)

• Developing a personal speaking style
• Storytelling
• Interpretive reading
• Speech development and practice
• Persuasive & informative speeches
• Basics of Debate and argument construction
• In-class mock speeches & debates

Public Speaking & Debate Advanced (Gr 7-9)

• Developing a personal speaking style
• Understanding rhetoric and using it effectively
• Writing effective speeches
• Debate Analysis and Parts of the Debate
• CNDF & BP format of the debate
• Modelling, refutation, POI and whip speeches
• Leadership and critical skills like goal setting, time management, conflict resolution, feedback and effective teamwork

The classes have an in-class activity component where students practice and demonstrate what they have learned weekly. Every quarter, there will be an in-class contest where students are expected to come prepared. For Public Speaking & Debate class, there will be a mock speech/debate contest. For the English class, students will have an in-class test.