Why should your student participate
in speech and debate?
in speech and debate?
Homeschooling
families have found that participation in speech and debate helps their
students develop valuable skills -- skills for life as well as skills that
colleges and employers are looking for. Students who participate grow in their
self-confidence, researching skills, civic engagement, communication skills, and
the ability to work on a team.
In 2013, Money included "communication skills" in their list of the top 5 most important keys to success: "The ability to effectively communicate really is the bedrock to developing critical relationships within an organization." Forbes gave this advice: "Many business leaders are frustrated in their attempts to find [employees] ... who seem to have the potential to lead the company in the years ahead. I’ve got a suggestion: search for those who competed in speech and debate competition in high school (or college) and hire them."
The Wall Street Journal (Interactive Edition, April 16, 1999) conducted a study of students who participate in speech and debate in high school, and found that state and national award winners have a 30% higher acceptance rate at top tier colleges. Being an officer or captain on a speech and debate team improves an applicant’s chances by more than 60%. Colleges now acknowledge, based on years of experience, that students who demonstrate success in extracurricular activities which give them real-world skills like critical thinking, oral and written communication, and the ability to organize ideas and present them effectively, perform better in college and turn out to be successful alumni who give back generously to their alma mater. (Professor Minh A. Luong, Yale University). Colleges want students who participate in speech and debate!
Although these benefits are important, the long-term reason to have your student participate in speech and debate is so that they learn to “always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks …the reason for the hope that (they) have…with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15b). No matter what your student is destined for, strong communication skills will be a huge asset to them. Join your local speech and debate club this year, and give your student the tools and skills they will need to be leaders and shapers of our culture tomorrow!
In 2013, Money included "communication skills" in their list of the top 5 most important keys to success: "The ability to effectively communicate really is the bedrock to developing critical relationships within an organization." Forbes gave this advice: "Many business leaders are frustrated in their attempts to find [employees] ... who seem to have the potential to lead the company in the years ahead. I’ve got a suggestion: search for those who competed in speech and debate competition in high school (or college) and hire them."
The Wall Street Journal (Interactive Edition, April 16, 1999) conducted a study of students who participate in speech and debate in high school, and found that state and national award winners have a 30% higher acceptance rate at top tier colleges. Being an officer or captain on a speech and debate team improves an applicant’s chances by more than 60%. Colleges now acknowledge, based on years of experience, that students who demonstrate success in extracurricular activities which give them real-world skills like critical thinking, oral and written communication, and the ability to organize ideas and present them effectively, perform better in college and turn out to be successful alumni who give back generously to their alma mater. (Professor Minh A. Luong, Yale University). Colleges want students who participate in speech and debate!
Although these benefits are important, the long-term reason to have your student participate in speech and debate is so that they learn to “always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks …the reason for the hope that (they) have…with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15b). No matter what your student is destined for, strong communication skills will be a huge asset to them. Join your local speech and debate club this year, and give your student the tools and skills they will need to be leaders and shapers of our culture tomorrow!