News and Updates
Sli Nua Debate Club – November Update
Our First Series of Online Debates & Training Sessions Are Off to a Flying Start!
We're delighted to share that our very first full series of online debates and debate-skills training sessions has begun with great energy, great participation, and genuinely impressive progress from all involved.
The November session welcomed 14 enthusiastic participants, each bringing their own style, ideas, and willingness to learn. From the very first evening, it was clear that this group was ready to challenge themselves, support one another, and grow into confident, structured and effective speakers.
What Students Are Learning
Over the past sessions, participants have been building the core foundations of modern debating:
✔ Structuring Arguments Clearly
Students have learned how to craft compelling opening statements, present logical points, and reinforce them with relevant examples. They are now showing real skill in moving from opinion to evidence-based reasoning.
✔ Responding Under Pressure
A big focus has been on rebuttal techniques, listening carefully, identifying weaknesses in an opponent's case, and responding respectfully but confidently. Many of our new debaters have already started thinking on their feet with far more ease.
✔ Speaking with Confidence
We've worked on tone, pacing, and delivery. Several participants have reported feeling significantly more comfortable speaking to a group, even on topics they weren't familiar with at the start.
✔ Working as Part of a Team
Debate isn't just about individual skill, it's about strategy and support. Students have been learning how to coordinate roles, reinforce teammates, and build a coherent team line from start to finish.
✔ Understanding Motion Analysis
Participants are now examining debate motions with more care: defining key terms, spotting hidden assumptions, and identifying the strongest arguments on both sides before choosing a direction.
Highlights from the November Session
- A lively mix of topics kept people thinking,from ethics and society to technology and public policy.
- Several first-time debaters completed their first full competitive-style round, a milestone worth celebrating.
- Participants gave peer feedback that was encouraging, constructive, and grounded in the skills we're developing.
- Confidence grew quickly, one student described it as "the first time I actually enjoyed speaking in front of others."