Free Debate's Liz Sheargold and Rob Koh were invited to help out with the Debaters Association of Victoria's 2009 Development Squad. Each year the DAV selects a Development Squad, a group of specially selected promising debaters from various secondary schools throughout Victoria, and provides intensive debating training.
Rob presented an interactive lecture on economics and Liz facilitated a British Parliamentary style debate on the topic That We Should Radically Increase Taxation on Alcohol Consumption.
We'd like to wish the Development Squad all the best and we hope to see you again soon! (And not just on facebook).
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Thursday, April 30, 2009
St Albans Secondary College
Free Debate trainer Anthony Kung conducted debating training for some year 8 and 9 students at St Albans Secondary College.
After outlining the fundamentals of argument, persuasion and presentation the students put their skills to excellent use in the DAV Schools Debating Competition. They displayed improved argument formulation, greater confidence and a real enthusiasm for debating!
Free Debate thanks Fiona Taylor for her eagerness and for allowing Free Debate to facilitate this introduction to debating.
After outlining the fundamentals of argument, persuasion and presentation the students put their skills to excellent use in the DAV Schools Debating Competition. They displayed improved argument formulation, greater confidence and a real enthusiasm for debating!
Free Debate thanks Fiona Taylor for her eagerness and for allowing Free Debate to facilitate this introduction to debating.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Western Chances Young Western Leaders Summit 2009
Free Debate trainers Kim Little, Ajay Kevat, Lucia Pietropaoli, Amit Golder and Lynne Featonby conducted a lengthy session as part of the Western Chances Young Western Leaders Summit.
After an introduction to the basics of persuasion and public speaking the students were split into small groups and asked to prepare and present a speech on a topic of their choice.
The diversity of topics was impressive and the participants displayed real passion for their subjects. They learned and spoke with enthusiasm and the feedback from the students suggested that the interactive session was as rewarding for them as it was for the trainers.
Free Debate thanks Helen Worladge and Zion Abatayo for organising an excellent event and inviting Free Debate to participate.
After an introduction to the basics of persuasion and public speaking the students were split into small groups and asked to prepare and present a speech on a topic of their choice.
The diversity of topics was impressive and the participants displayed real passion for their subjects. They learned and spoke with enthusiasm and the feedback from the students suggested that the interactive session was as rewarding for them as it was for the trainers.
Free Debate thanks Helen Worladge and Zion Abatayo for organising an excellent event and inviting Free Debate to participate.
Monday, January 05, 2009
Summer School with the Australian Karen Foundation
Over 2 days at the beginning of the year, Free Debate trainer Lynne Featonby attended the English Language Summer School of the Australian Karen Foundation in Werribee.
A class of 15 youths and adults, originally from Burma, added to their English language skills through several sessions of public speaking and argument training. The students prepared and presented speeches to the group, engaged in group discussions about government policies and displayed great improvements in their confidence and abilities!
The sessions were very enjoyable for the students and trainer. Free Debate thanks Kiemi Lai, Engaged Communities Coordinator at the Western Bulldogs who recommended us. Free Debate also thanks Kath Cooney from Foundation House, who ran the Summer School Programme.
A class of 15 youths and adults, originally from Burma, added to their English language skills through several sessions of public speaking and argument training. The students prepared and presented speeches to the group, engaged in group discussions about government policies and displayed great improvements in their confidence and abilities!
The sessions were very enjoyable for the students and trainer. Free Debate thanks Kiemi Lai, Engaged Communities Coordinator at the Western Bulldogs who recommended us. Free Debate also thanks Kath Cooney from Foundation House, who ran the Summer School Programme.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Confidence training for Asylum Seekers
In line with Free Debate's commitment to assisting the under-privileged, Free Debate ran a training course for asylum seekers. The purpose of the course was to assist asylum seekers to develop confidence and clear public speaking skills.The course ran on Wednesay nights for four weeks at the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre. Free Debate trained 12 newly-arrived asylum seekers from countries such as Sri Lanka, Cameroon and Pakistan. Participants debated several topics including a thorough and interesting debate on the merits of prisoners being able to vote. The group also recieved practical training on negotiation skills and engaged in useful training exercises.
Free Debate looks forward to new opportunities to work with asylum seekers. Also, many thanks to the participants, Michelle Newton and the ASRC for their help in this collaboration.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Monash Radio Interview
Free Debate's Lucia Pietropaoli and Rob Koh took part in an interview on Radio Monash's "The Dirt" as a follow up to our help with the Refugee Week Exhibition Debate back in July.We were also lucky enough to be joined by participants Cuc and Meseret and organiser Kiemi Lai from the Western Bulldogs' Engaged Communities.
Click here for the interview (for a short time only!)
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Youth Parliament!
Free Debate trainers Lynne Featonby and Kim Little assisted teams representing the Spectrum Migrant Resource Centre and the Victorian Arabic Social Services to prepare for the sitting of Youth Parliament.
The Spectrum Team of 6 participants proposed a bill to increase and tailor the provision of English language services to children and young people who have recently arrived in Australia. The VASS team, also numbering 6 members, prepared a bill to tighten restrictions in advertising, particularly regarding alcohol and sexual imagery.
Both teams worked hard on their bills and overcame anxiety and nerves to display real improvements in their presentation skills in only a few weeks. The Spectrum team succeeded in securing the passage of their bill. Both teams enjoyed their participation in Youth Parliament and a member of the Spectrum team received an honourable mention for her speech.
Free Debate congratulates both teams on their hard work, progress and achievements. Free Debate thanks Hala Abdelnour at Spectrum MRC and Lisa Tribuzio at VASS for their enthusiasm and support of their teams.
The Spectrum Team of 6 participants proposed a bill to increase and tailor the provision of English language services to children and young people who have recently arrived in Australia. The VASS team, also numbering 6 members, prepared a bill to tighten restrictions in advertising, particularly regarding alcohol and sexual imagery.
Both teams worked hard on their bills and overcame anxiety and nerves to display real improvements in their presentation skills in only a few weeks. The Spectrum team succeeded in securing the passage of their bill. Both teams enjoyed their participation in Youth Parliament and a member of the Spectrum team received an honourable mention for her speech.
Free Debate congratulates both teams on their hard work, progress and achievements. Free Debate thanks Hala Abdelnour at Spectrum MRC and Lisa Tribuzio at VASS for their enthusiasm and support of their teams.
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