ISDS Junior Academy

ISDS Junior Academy is a 4-day, introductory debate workshop for students between grades 7-9. We intend to launch students into public speaking and debate, especially in the World Schools Debating Championship format. We use a tailored curriculum combining games, lectures, and debates to hone young students’ speaking and communication skills, and knowledge of international affairs. Trainers in these workshops are among the best debaters in India and the world.

Why should you apply to attend?

To be taught the life-skill of debating: Debate teaches students the crucial skills of verbal and written communication, problem solving, teamwork, and political awareness. These skills support students’ academic pursuits, and develop them into mature thinkers.
To become a better public speaker: Learning debating prepares students to participate in more than just the World Schools style selection tournaments and debates. It makes them better elocution speakers, Model UN participants, etc.
To learn from a world class curriculum: Our tried and tested curriculum has been designed by national coaches who come with years of experience with international debate training.
To be coached by the best: Our workshops will be led by Ana Vilhemina Verdnik (Oxford Graduate, currently at the London School of Economics, World Universities Champion ESL Champion), and Eric Kazadi (Wits University, Coach, Team South Africa 2020)

Salient Information

Dates: 16th & 17th Sep’23 (Sat-Sun) | 23rd & 24th Sep’23 (Sat-Sun)
Locations: Online over Zoom
Target audiences: Students in grades 7, 8, and 9
Duration: 4 days
Timing: 10:00 AM to 2:30 PM IST (with break)
Cost per student: Rs. 4,500/-
Cost for a group of 3 students: Rs. 12,000/- (Rs 4,000/- per student)
Experience level required: This workshop requires no pre-work and is open for students without any prior debating experience to attend. However, students who are already familiar with the basics of debating and the WSDC format will find this workshop helpful to develop some intermediate-level debating skills.

Registrations Closed

Junior academy was a great way to start off debating. Having amazing coaches walk us through strategy and structure was definitely more than enough to get me and everyone else there started. I was able to develop off of what was taught at junior academy and it helped me to continue to debate till date, and for a long time after.

Junior Academy has been one of the most special experiences of my life. Debating was something that I wished I could do but didn’t know how to. This organization finally helped me out. My three mentors were extremely kind, patient and helpful. Thank you very much! I have applied my learning in a few school events. I look forward to more instances where I can exercise whatever I have learnt from.

ISDS Junior Academy