Level 1:

This class is appropriate for middle school students and students who are brand new to debating (typically grades 7-9). Older students can attend Level 1 but are often able to self-study the material and advance in less than one semester.

There are no requirements to joining Level 1, but students in grades 6 and lower may struggle to keep up with the curriculum.

Class Content:

These classes teach core debate fundamentals like debate format, argument construction, refutation, and analysis. Emphasis is placed on teaching students British Parliamentary style.

Advancement:

To advance students must be able to demonstrate:

– a clear understanding of what debate is

– how to prepare arguments

– how to refute arguments

– how to rebuild arguments

– the ability to flow a round

– the ability to complete all 8 BP speeches

Students do not need to be excellent, or even good, at any of these abilities but they should understand them and practice them consistently.

Level 2:

Overview:

Level 2 is suitable for students with some familiarity with debate, particularly BP style debating (typically grades 7-9). This course continues to build on Level 1 and helps students hone their debating abilities through exercises and debate topics of relative simplicity. The purpose of this course is to build a strong understanding of fundamental debate skills.

Prerequisites: Level 1 or direct entry

Students in grades 6 and lower may struggle to keep up with the curriculum.

Objectives: 

1. Prepare arguments

2. Refute arguments

3. Rebuild arguments

Outcomes:

Upon completion of Level 2, students will be prepared to enter the subsequent level. Students will have demonstrated a clear understanding of debate format, argument construction, refutation, and analysis.

Level 3:

Overview:
This course continues to build on Level 2, and teach students strategic thinking. Students will learn specific knowledge, practice creating speeches, and organize arguments.

Prerequisites: Level 2

Objectives: 

1. Role fulfillment

2. Case construction (including modelling)

3. Argumentation (PAEL)

4. Refutation

5. Flowing rounds

6. Rebuilding

7. Filling time

8. Offering and accepting POIs

Outcomes:

Students who do any of the following with any regularity should not be advanced from this level:

– Speak for less than 5 minutes

– Have fewer than two arguments in a PM or LO speech

– Cannot properly rebuild in DPM/DLO or Whip speeches

– Do not offer any POI

Level 4:

Overview:
Level 4 is appropriate for students that have completed Level 3 and been recommended for advancement. These classes are a more intense version of BP Lv3 with an even greater focus on students developing the skills necessary for competitive tournaments. ·Techniques in this class focus on not just competing, but winning competitive events.

Students with lots of familiarity with debate, particularly BP style debating, may be able to join Level 4 directly. These students ordinarily should have attended competitive tournaments in BP style.

Prerequisites: Level 3 or direct entry
Students are usually in high school although some grade 7/8 students may be eligible.

Objectives:

1. Being prepared for impromptu resolutions (15 minute prep time)

2. Effective/winning argumentation

3. Time management

4. Identifying important issues in rounds

5. General improvement on LV 3 abilities

Level 5:

This course continues to build on the core skills. Students will be familiar with strategies and be provided to improve impromptu debate skills.

Prerequisites: Level 4

Objectives:

Being prepared for impromptu resolutions (15 minute prep time)

Effective/winning argumentation

Time management

Identifying important issues in rounds

General improvement on Level 5 abilities

Outcomes:

There is no set time for student advancement from Level 4. Some students advance quickly while others remain in this level for longer periods of time.

The main reasons students advance quickly are:

improvement through tournament attendance

improvement through additional work in debate clubs or independent studies

Level 6: 

This course focuses on the theory and practice to support students to build winning cases in WSDC / BP tournament-level competition and runs practice rounds with high quality feedback. Off-season Comp level courses run drills, exercises, and practice rounds designed to sharpen student’s competitive instincts and enhance the strength of their delivery. Students enrolled in Comp classes will begin the tournament season warmed-up and ready to win!

Level 7:

This course focuses on the theory and practice to support students to build winning cases in WSDC / BP touranments and runs practice rounds with high quality feedback. It prepares students for tournaments such as Harvard WSDC,  HartHouse BP .