Unlike conventional debates which often emphasise word play, Debating Matters seeks to encourage students to engage with the specifics and complexities of issues that arise in the real world today. A unique aspect of the competition has been to involve high-calibre professionals from all walks of life – academics, journalists, business people, scientists and artists – in the judging of the competition.
The judges interrogate and engage in a debate with the speakers to judge how deeply they have gone into the topic. The emphasis is therefore also on interaction. Although debate will be in English, judging will be on content and not pronunciation, diction and style.
Teams will be provided with topic guides for the debate at each stage of the competition. These guides will be mailed at least three weeks in advance to those schools who qualify at each level.
The Debating Matters Facebook site is abuzz with activity and has some makes for interesting reading – especially for some ‘uncensored’ feedback on what the participants themselves feel about the competition.
This YouTube film will give you feel of what Debating Matters is all about and how it’s different – sorry to use this cliché - from usual school debates.
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