From Canteen Arguments to Oxford: Why Every Kid Should Try Debate
As a child, I was a bit of a nuisance: I loved arguing. I was happy to engage with anyone about anything, from disagreements over math problems to favourite foods in the cafeteria. But as much as I loved arguing, I wasn't particularly good at it.
My extroversion also seemed to falter when it came to public speaking. All my confidence would instantly evaporate as I was put behind a podium. An adolescent mind, as I'm sure you may recall, runs at the speed of light. Yet, without the tools to wrangle thoughts- without the means of expression- many children struggle with communicating what's on their mind in a cogent manner.
Competitive debate and public speaking, to me, is the strongest ailment to this common affliction. As I've gleaned through years of stumbling over my words, losing (and eventually winning) at competitions, and dissecting thousands of remarkably novel ideas, debate and public speaking train and enhance one's life in 4 incredibly meaningful ways:
Clarity under pressure. Debate and public speaking make you a clear and logical communicator. This summer, I'll be joining Bridgewater Associates, a top hedge fund, in New York City. I owe that outcome almost entirely to the skills honed in countless debate practices. The unique ability to articulate complex theses and structure thoughts on any subject unlocks the ability to ace every interview you'll ever face.
Academic cheat code. Structural thinking is crucial in achieving success in academia. At Oxford, the rigour of debate has influenced my writing, allowing me to rank in the Top 8 for Politics and Top 6 for Economics. It's no coincidence that nearly half of the top-performing PPE students are competitive debaters: the ability to write stellar essays becomes almost second-nature as you improve in debate and public speaking.
Exposure to the world. Each motion or subject is unique. One day you're discussing the nuances of international trade, the next you're talking about philosophy. You become a curious and well-read individual not through a sense of duty, but through the natural competitiveness dormant in any child.
Beyond the grades and the CV, debate and public speaking make you a more well-rounded person. You will learn to hold conversations and participate in discussions with a critical engagement unlike anyone else. You stop accepting the world as it's presented and start asking, "Why?"
Ironically, the one thing it won't do is make you more argumentative, so rest easy, parents. After I started debating, I realized just how much it takes to make clear and coherent arguments.
Looking back, I'm grateful my parents didn't try to suppress my argumentative nature—they channeled it. That cafeteria debater who couldn't string two sentences together at a podium is now preparing to analyze global markets at one of the world's most rigorous hedge funds. But more importantly, I've become someone who thinks critically, communicates clearly, and approaches the world with genuine curiosity rather than reflexive contrarianism.
The transformation didn't happen overnight. It took stumbling over my words, losing competitions, and slowly learning to wrangle the chaos in my adolescent mind into something coherent. But every fumbled speech and lost round was worth it.
If you're curious whether debate and public speaking could do the same for you or your child, I invite you to join us for a free trial class. Come experience firsthand how we turn nervous energy into confident expression, and how we help argumentative kids become articulate thinkers. No commitment required—just an hour to see if this is the skill that changes everything.
