💭💬🏆
Build confidence, communication skills, and critical thinking
Join our 2023 Primary School Debating Festival in Johannesburg, South Africa. New and experienced speakers welcome.
💭💬🏆
Build confidence, communication skills, and critical thinking
Join our 2023 Primary Schools Debating Festival in Johannesburg, South Africa. Designed for new and experienced speakers.
The Primary Schools Debating Festival
Every child has the ability to become a confident and thoughtful public speaker. Our Primary Schools Debating Festival is the ideal platform for budding debaters to experience the team debate for the first time.
Students and teachers will be guided through the process, ensuring everyone has a common understanding of the format and rules. Our goal is to create a supportive environment where experiential learning and friendly competition can help unlock the potential of every speaker.
No previous debate experience is required.
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Dates
- 18-20 August 2023
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Location
- St Declan’s School for Boys, Rietvlei Lifestyle Centre, 101 Swartkoppies Road, Alberton, Gauteng
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Entry Requirements
- Students in Grades 4-7 (or equivalent) from any city or country. They will work in teams of three. Schools may enter multiple teams.
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How to prepare
- Familiarize yourself with the format and have practice debates
Learn, Reflect, Iterate
Program Overview
- Welcome & Orientation
We will start the tournament with an orientation session for our adjudication panel and participants. We’ll ensure everyone has a common understanding of our format and scoring criteria.
- Debates & Feedback
Topics will be provided on the day, with teams given 45 minutes to prepare for each debate. Two judges will assess every round, offering constructive feedback afterwards to promote student growth and improvement.
- The Awards Ceremony
In the program's grand finale, our best two teams will compete for the championship title, followed by an awards ceremony to honor our debaters' accomplishments.
An Overview
The Debate Format
Debates start with a 45-minute preparation period, during which participants analyze the topic and formulate their cases and speeches. Teams take turns presenting speeches, starting with the first position speaker. Teams may engage with their opponents by countering their arguments and defending their own points when challenged. Additionally, participants can interject with Points of Information (POI) to question their opponents' arguments.
Students are scored on their presentation, content and strategy.
- per team
- 3 debaters
- preparation time
- 45 minutes
- of debate
- 7 rounds
- per speech
- 4 minutes
The Bigger Picture
Key Outcomes
- Communication Skills
🗣️
- Developing strong verbal and non-verbal communication skills is crucial, as it enables students to express their thoughts clearly, listen actively, and respond effectively in various academic, professional, and social situations.
- Critical Thinking and Problem-solving
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- Debating helps students enhance their critical thinking abilities, as they analyze information, evaluate different perspectives, and construct well-reasoned arguments. These skills are essential for academic success and making informed decisions in everyday life.
- Teamwork and Collaboration
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- Through debating, students learn to work closely with teammates, share ideas, and support one another. Developing these interpersonal skills is important for building healthy relationships and succeeding in collaborative environments, both in school and later in life.
- Confidence and Self-esteem
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- Participating in debates can boost students' confidence and self-esteem, as they witness their progress, receive feedback, and learn to express their opinions persuasively.