In collaboration with

Starts on

15 Nov

2025

Young Debaters Program

Collaborate with Harvard-trained and internationally recognised student mentors, enhancing debate, public speaking, and critical thinking skills through structured practice and global exposure.
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Eligibility

Grades 5th -7th

Duration

12 Weeks(Every Saturday)

Early Application Date

15 Sep 2025

[Regular Date: 30 Sep, 2025]

Program Fee for Early Applicants

USD 350

[Regular Fee: USD 480]

Application deadline

30 Sep 2025

Program Delivery

Zoom Led

This exclusive Debate Program is a one-of-a-kind opportunity for young students to learn from Harvard College student mentors through a highly engaging and personalized 12-week Zoom led workshop. Designed for students in Grades 5 to 7, the program goes beyond just teaching the fundamentals of debate—it cultivates leadership, confidence, and strategic thinking through interactive sessions, team-building exercises, and competitive simulations.

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Our program isn’t just about the concepts of debate—we engage students with team activities, mixed-media learning, competitions, speeches, and most importantly, help them build rewarding and long-lasting professional relationships with our Harvard student team.

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Through weekly Zoom sessions, students will explore the fundamentals of debate, persuasive speaking, argumentation, rebuttal strategy, and global issue analysis. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced debater, this program offers the perfect blend of theory, practice, and personalized mentorship.

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Participants will take part in mock rounds, scrimmages, and a final tournament that mirrors real-world competitive debate settings.

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What You Will Learn

Emerge as a leader with a business mindset.

Public Speaking

Gain confidence in delivering persuasive, structured speeches.

Debate Strategy

Understand formats like Parliamentary Debate and develop strong cases.

Argumentation & Rebuttals

Learn to build logical arguments and counter opposing views effectively.

Global Awareness

Analyze international topics and learn to frame them persuasively.

Research & Resolution Writing

Explore motion analysis, drafting strategies, and formal resolutions.

Collaboration

Work in teams, build listening skills, and practice respectful disagreement.

Awards & Recognitions

Showcase your achievements to the world

Certificate of Completion

from Harvard Student Mentors and Learn with Leaders

Final Debate Tournament Awards

Best Speaker, Best Team, Most Improved

Portfolio Boost

Enhance college applications with certified skills in debate and communication

Networking

Connect with a global peer group passionate about communication and leadership

Schedule

Time zone are in EST time zone, Convert as per your your country time zone.

Date

Nov 15, 2025 -Saturday

Time

9:00 am - 10:30 am-ET

Welcome and Introduction to the Debate Program

  • Icebreaker Activities to Get to Know Each Other

  • About our Harvard Mentors


    • Workshop: Dive Into Debate

  • Types of Debate and Competitions

  • Identifying World Issues Strategically


    • Activity: Confidence, Clarity, Creativity!

  • Students Create PDSA Goals for Workshop

  • Speaking Activity Game: Triple Speak!


    • Apply Now

    Date

    Nov 22, 2025 -Saturday

    Time

    9:00 am - 10:30 am-ET

    Introduction to Week 2

  • Review of Week 1

  • Team-Building Icebreaker


    • Workshop: Public Speaking Essentials

  • Key Concepts for Public Speaking

  • Examples and Analysis of Strong Public Speaking

  • Tone, Inflection, Body Language, and Eye Contact

  • Discussion and Reflection


    • Activity: Speech and Debate

  • Introduction to Activity

  • Final Speech Topic Assignment


    • Apply Now

    Date

    Nov 29, 2025 -Saturday

    Time

    9:00 am - 10:30 am-ET

    Introduction to Session 3

  • Review of Sessions 1 and 2

  • Confidence Icebreaker


    • Workshop: Arguments and Logic

  • How to Win Your Arguments!

  • Persuading Your Audience: Ethos, Pathos, Logos


    • Activity: Review Game

  • Test Understanding of New Concepts

    • Apply Now

    Date

    Dec 6, 2025 -Saturday

    Time

    9:00 am - 10:30 am-ET

    Introduction to Session 4: Activating New Skills

  • Icebreaker Game


    • Workshop: Mini-Conference Part I

  • Debate Simulation
    •
  • Introduce Focus Issue and Assignments

  • Essential Parliamentary Procedure and Debate Etiquette

  • Guided Research and Writing for Opening Speeches

  • Review with a Partner and Practice Your Speech
    • Apply Now

    Date

    Dec 13, 2025 -Saturday

    Time

    9:00 am - 10:30 am-ET

    Introduction to Session 5

  • Icebreaker Game


    • Workshop: Mini-Conference Part II

  • Debate Simulation

  • Launch General Speakers’ List and Deliver Opening Speeches

  • Moderated Caucus I

  • Moderated Caucus II

  • Reflection and 1-1 Feedback with Mentors


    • Apply Now

    Date

    Dec 20, 2025 -Saturday

    Time

    9:00 am - 10:30 am-ET

    Introduction to Session 6

  • Icebreaker Game


    • Workshop: Mini-Conference Part III

  • Problem-Solving and Persuasion in Action

  • Debate Simulation

  • Unmoderated Caucus and Guided Writing

  • Presentation and Q&A from Student Debaters

  • Reflection and 1-1 Feedback with Mentors


    • Apply Now

    Date

    Dec 27, 2025 -Saturday

    Time

    9:00 am - 10:30 am-ET

    Introduction to Session 7

  • Icebreaker Game

  • Reflect and Review our Mini-Conference


    • Workshop: Case Studies of Great Debates

  • Film: The Great Debaters

  • Analyze 2 Case Studies


    • Activity: Circle Back to Final Speech Project

  • Adjust and Improve Speech Topics

  • Guided Research and Setting Goals


    • Apply Now

    Date

    Jan 3, 2026 -Saturday

    Time

    9:00 am - 10:30 am-ET

    Introduction to Session 8

  • Debate Game


    • Workshop: Writing Strong Speeches

  • Writing Strategies and Feedback

  • Clarity, Confidence, and Creativity


    • Activity: Final Speech Project

  • Guided Writing Workshop

  • 1-1 Mentor Feedback


    • Apply Now

    Date

    Jan 10, 2026 -Saturday

    Time

    9:00 am - 10:30 am-ET

    Introduction to Session 9: Feedback Day!

  • Team-Building Game


    • Activity: Final Speech Project Workday

  • Peer-Review Speeches

  • 1-1 Mentor Feedback for Spoken Final Speeches


    • Apply Now

    Date

    Jan 17, 2026 -Saturday

    Time

    9:00 am - 10:30 am-ET

    Introduction to Session 10

  • Creative Connection Game


    • Activity: Final Speech Project Workday

  • Peer-Review Speeches

  • Continue 1-1 Mentor Feedback for Spoken Final Speeches


    • Apply Now

    Date

    Jan 24, 2026 -Saturday

    Time

    9:00 am - 10:30 am-ET

    Introduction to Session 11: Debate Tournament I

  • Parliamentary Rules and Procedures

  • Setting Norms and Building Respect


    • Activity: Debate Tournament I

  • Discussion and Reflection to Follow


    • Apply Now

    Date

    Jan 31, 2026 -Saturday

    Time

    9:00 am - 10:30 am-ET

    Introduction to Session 12: Debate Tournament II

  • Clarify Any Remaining Questions


    • Activity: Debate Tournament II

  • Discussion and Reflection to Follow


    • Closing Remarks and Certificates

    Apply Now

    Students and alumni love our programs

    What people are saying about us

    1000+

    Students

    25+

    Countries

    Shreyansh Goyal
    comma
    I enjoyed the method of learning where we learnt concepts and then applied them. It made it easier to remember them. Mostly in school as we learnt a lot about how to sell a product/idea. These...

    Shreyansh Goyal

    Pathways School, Noida

    Samika Taneja
    comma
    I enjoyed the presentations the most as well as the process on making them. It was quite interesting. I plan to use these skills in my CAS project, which is a project where we plan to do something...

    Samika Taneja

    Pathways School, Noida

    Suhana Garg
    comma
    I enjoyed forming ideas for a business in the brainstorming session on the first day of the programme. The activity gave me an opportunity to present my idea in front of my group and instructors...

    Suhana Garg

    G.D. Goenka World School

    Aarushi Bansal
    comma
    I personally loved the program! Understanding new concepts and simultaneously applying that knowledge to create our own venture was a great experience. Moreover, the workshop provided me with skills t

    Aarushi Bansal

    Pathways World School Aravali

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