Benefits of Acquiring Debate Skills: Tips to Become a More Persuasive Speaker (Part 1)

Why Is Debate Emphasized In Our Public Speaking Course?

Debate is a highly useful skill that improves one’s critical thinking skills, one’s fluency and articulation, and the capacity to formulate cogent arguments. Furthermore, once an individual is able to persuasively convey their ideas, his or her confidence will be augmented.

As part of the 12 modules/ topics in our Speech Excellence Program (comprehensive 12-month public speaking course for children), our December module teaches our students the art of debate and debating techniques, so that they can be more persuasive and quick-thinking. Here are just some reasons why we choose to expose our students to the fundamentals of debate and how it is all part of the umbrella of effective public speaking skills!

Some parents might think that debating skills are only reserved for those children who are competitive debaters, with the debate team/ club as co-curricular activity in school. Debating skills should also be explored by non-competitive debaters because debating forces students to consider opposing viewpoints, assess the quality of the argument or opinion put forth by the opposition, and formulate well-supported arguments – all of which improve critical thinking.

Debate: Promotes swift analytical and response-formulating abilities

The structuring of the argument and the delivery of those cogent arguments in clear and succinct presentations help children to practice another form of public speaking – impromptu speaking skills. As the rebuttals usually would require students to articulate off-the-cuff, it promotes active listening (i.e. pay close attention to what the other person is saying and parsing the content) and trains them to be quick-witted (i.e. analytical capabilities) and economical with their verbal words, resulting in them being able to clearly and convincingly expressing ideas in social situations, presentations, and future professional settings.

Debate: Enhances Leadership Capabilities & Future-proofs Students In The Working World

A leader cannot lead without being able to command respect and convince his or her followers. To achieve them, a leader has to COMMUNICATE and PERSUADE. Conveying ideas and action plans is one thing, being able to convince others to accept and implement them is another thing. Debating helps kids develop their leadership skills by making them more decisive and able to lead conversations in groups as well as successfully challenge opposing ideas and contrarian mindsets when needed. Children who are exposed to debate (debate is often perceived as the highest form of speech) at a young age are better prepared for situations that require impromptu speaking and quick-fire critical communication such as interviews and work discussions in the future.

Stay tune for part 2 where we share some fundamental debate terminologies to get you started!