Take part
If you’ve ever argued with your parents about bedtimes, pocket money or why you really do need that model of phone, you’ve been having a debate. The aim is to persuade others to your point of view, without losing your temper. And the secret is that it’s easy to do if you really listen. Listening leads to smart questions which lead to productive conversations which, more often than not, lead to understanding, collaboration and sometimes, to an even better solution than you’d first imagined. Get your friends or family involved to show us your debating skills in action – just post your film on social media using the hashtag #esufestivalofspeaking.
Also take a look at the festival resources for speaking and performing.
Debating Resources
How to take part
Getting started
Sam Kusi: Agreeing to Disagree
El Stiles: Top 5 Debating Tips
Huw Jones: Top 3 tips for new debaters
Schools' Mace debating tips from the team at Dulwich College
A sample debate followed by useful teaching tips from Oundle School
Tommy Seagull: Debating transformed my life
Inspiration and entries
Sofa Debate #1
Watch the Warren family have a debate about lockdown from their sofa
WATCH THE DEBATERHS DEBATE
'This House would make school 100% online' - A virtual debate recorded live by the staff and students of the Royal Hospital School
WATCH THE DEBATESOFA DEBATE #2
Four students have a humorous debate on the motion that 'This House would continue social distancing after COVID-19'.
WATCH THE DEBATEWatch a full debate from Round 2 of the ESU School Mace competition
Watch a short clip showing a Point of Information during a debate
'This House believes that tearing down Edward Colston's statue in Bristol was correct'
Help give more young people the speaking and listening skills and cultural understanding they need to thrive