I’m sure we’re all accustomed to a rowdy family debate at the dinner table, but have you ever considered the benefits of what is essentially a well-structured argument? Last week 6 Students from the Thomas Hardye Sixth Form attended the Cambridge Union debating competition (yes organised by THE University of Cambridge) and have shared some inside information on the benefits of debating.
Did you know that debating increases confidence? One student swore by the newfound “confidence” that she has gained through debate and stated, “it really empowers me.” Competing in a British parliamentary style certainly isn’t easy, but what better way than to throw yourself into the deep end? I’m sure to a lot of us this can seem daunting, but if you’re not convinced the students say it’s not only confidence you can build but your articulation too.
We all know those people who are so well spoken and always seem to know the right things to say - I’ll admit I’ve come across many in my time. Why not improve your own confidence with a healthy debate?
Thinking on their feet was another challenging yet rewarding part of debate for these students. Having only 15 minutes preparation time without internet access to plan your 5-minute speech is no small task, yet these teens made it look easy. Four of the Sixth Form students came consecutively 8,9,10 and 11th for their individual speaker scores out of 55 in attendance. Unfortunately, we didn’t make it through to the next heat but these students certainly held their ground as the only state school attending!
So, will you consider a healthy debate next time you’re with friends?