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Home > News and Views > Debating

Debating

A picture of a young female debater standing in front of a fireplace inside the ESU London's office building at Dartmouth House.

Oracy and Employability

Key employability skills are required to thrive in the workforce and having a solid foundation in oracy sets young people up for success.

 A pupil expressing himself during an activity while his peer listens to him

Oracy and metacognition

Find out how oracy can support the development of metacognitive skills - and vice versa!

 A group of secondary school students sitting inside a classroom and smiling to their teacher.

How to teach debating in schools: six tips and principles

Ed Noel, the Deputy IB Diploma Coordinator at Tonbridge Grammar School, coached the winning team in the 2022 Schools’ Mace competition. Here he shares his tips for success 

 two students debating

What is Debating? The ESU’s complete guide to the history and development of debating

What is debating? Dr. Matt Hilborn dives into the history, developments, and relevancy in today’s world

 debating games for school students

8 debating games for primary and secondary school students

Here’s a list debating games for the classroom that our mentors have tried and tested with primary and secondary school students.

Former head of Chilean school wins ESU International Oracy Teacher Award  

Teacher working in Chile recognised for excellence in oracy teaching

 A group of students in a classroom with all looking enthusiastic

‘It was thrilling to see our students using their voices'

We speak to Bev Knuckey, Deputy Head of Llanedeyrn Primary School, who won last year's Oracy Culture Award...

Mace goes to Mersey

The team from St Francis Xavier’s College, a state school in Liverpool, has been named the winner of the English-Speaking Union’s School’s Mace 2019.

 A female Secondary School Teacher holding books in her hand in the classroom with students sitting down and one female standing.

ESU Oracy Culture Award 2019 Winners

We are delighted to announce the winning schools for this year’s ESU Oracy Culture Award.

 Frank Cottrell Boyce chairs debate for Primary school students

The Big Debate with Frank Cottrell Boyce

Acclaimed children’s author Frank Cottrell Boyce chaired a Big Debate for local schoolchildren organised by the ESU and The Week Junior.
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