For those who have some experience in debating or related courses, you will progress quickly in areas of content, strategy and style, while honing your articulation and enunciation. The course will...
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Continuing from the work covered in Debating: Beginners (but also accessible to those who haven’t completed that course but who are confident speakers already), some of the topics covered on the class will include:
- Reasoning and evidence: a range of tactics and strategies to examine flaws in your opponents’ reasoning, as will the best ways to construct your own watertight case. We will also refer to some of the most common ‘logical fallacies’. In-depth discussion and analysis of appropriate and inappropriate ways to use statistics will be examined, as well as arguments from common sense and anecdotal evidence.
- Organisation and prioritisation: how to avoid repetition and duplication of points within the team, while also ensuring that your key messages are delivered clearly at various points in your argument.
- Listening and response: you will be challenged with particularly hard ‘points of information’ and arguments to rebut, and will work together to devise innovative responses.
- Expression and delivery: highly practical (and amusing!) sessions will work on all aspects of your voice (tone, pace, dynamics, different emotional states etc.) and body language.
What will we cover?
Content, strategy and style of debating as well as honing articulation and enunciation.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Communicate effectively by using a wide variety of practical and theoretical concepts relating to: - reasoning - evidence - organisation - prioritisation - listening - response - expression and delivery
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
Students should be reasonably confident speakers of English with some knowledge of topical issues and current affairs. Completion of the introductory course Debating: beginners is useful or you should have the relevant experience in debating or persuasive speech. In order to get the most from the course you will be able to: • Speak English fluently • Communicate in group situations • Give and receive constructive feedback • Read and respond to a range of texts • Take course notes for your own use
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
The course is taught largely through participation in debates of various sizes. The primary emphasis is on practice rather than theory, and a minimum of written handouts are used.
Various games and workshop exercises are used to prepare you for the debates, which are based on the tried-and-tested model of a ‘parliamentary debate’ to ensure that there is a solid structure for all speaking activity and to ensure everyone gets a chance to speak. You may be required to spend time outside the class undertaking some research and preparing for debates
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Gavin Illsley has taught Debating, Art of Negotiation, Public Speaking and Presenting at City Lit since 2011. While at the High School of Dundee in 2003, he won the Cambridge Union Debating prize, and he was a champion debater at the Cambridge Union and European championships. Since graduation he has served as a judge of debating competitions, notably for the Oxford Union, European Debating Championships. Gavin is also Head of Programmes at the English Speaking Union.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/debating-improvers146429Debating: improvershttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/https://www.citylit.ac.uk/static/version1762433779/frontend/WilliamsCommerce/citylit/en_GB/Magento_Catalog/images/product/placeholder/image.jpg139139GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Performing arts/Courses/Performing arts/Voice and speech/Courses/Performing arts/Voice and speech/Debating/Courses/Communication skills courses in London/Courses/Short Courses/Courses/Short Courses/Performing arts228513141655165717201341113423122851314165513411<p>For those who have some experience in debating or related courses, you will progress quickly in areas of content, strategy and style, while honing your articulation and enunciation. The course will be taught in the college.</p> Continuing from the work covered in Debating: beginners (but also accessible to those who haven’t completed that course but who are confident speakers already), some of the topics covered on the class will include:<br />
<br />
- Reasoning and evidence: a range of tactics and strategies to examine flaws in your opponents’ reasoning, as will the best ways to construct your own watertight case. We will also refer to some of the most common ‘logical fallacies’. In-depth discussion and analysis of appropriate and inappropriate ways to use statistics will be examined, as well as arguments from common sense and anecdotal evidence.<br />
<br />
- Organisation and prioritisation: how to avoid repetition and duplication of points within the team, while also ensuring that your key messages are delivered clearly at various points in your argument.<br />
<br />
- Listening and response: you will be challenged with particularly hard ‘points of information’ and arguments to rebut, and will work together to devise innovative responses.<br />
<br />
- Expression and delivery: highly practical (and amusing!) sessions will work on all aspects of your voice (tone, pace, dynamics, different emotional states etc.) and body language. <br />
<br />
This is a live online course. You will need:<br />
- Internet connection. The classes work best with Chrome.<br />
- A computer with microphone and camera is best (e.g. a PC/laptop/iMac/MacBook), or a tablet/iPad/smart phone/iPhone if you don't have a computer.<br />
- Earphones/headphones/speakers.<br />
We will contact you with joining instructions before your course starts.104.72211994Debating: improvers139139https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/no_selectionInStockEveningWedKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-01-14T00:00:00+00:00Some experienceJan 2026Performing artsDVM042139139Debating: improvers13997139Gavin Illsleydebating-improvers/dvm042-2526<p>For those who have some experience in debating or related courses, you will progress quickly in areas of content, strategy and style, while honing your articulation and enunciation. The course will be taught in the college.</p>0000-Available|2026-01-14 00:00:00<p>Continuing from the work covered in Debating: Beginners (but also accessible to those who haven’t completed that course but who are confident speakers already), some of the topics covered on the class will include:<br/><br/>- Reasoning and evidence: a range of tactics and strategies to examine flaws in your opponents’ reasoning, as will the best ways to construct your own watertight case. We will also refer to some of the most common ‘logical fallacies’. In-depth discussion and analysis of appropriate and inappropriate ways to use statistics will be examined, as well as arguments from common sense and anecdotal evidence.<br/><br/>- Organisation and prioritisation: how to avoid repetition and duplication of points within the team, while also ensuring that your key messages are delivered clearly at various points in your argument.<br/><br/>- Listening and response: you will be challenged with particularly hard ‘points of information’ and arguments to rebut, and will work together to devise innovative responses.<br/><br/>- Expression and delivery: highly practical (and amusing!) sessions will work on all aspects of your voice (tone, pace, dynamics, different emotional states etc.) and body language.</p><p>For those who have some experience in debating or related courses, you will progress quickly in areas of content, strategy and style, while honing your articulation and enunciation. The course will be taught in the college.</p><p>Content, strategy and style of debating as well as honing articulation and enunciation.</p><p>Communicate effectively by using a wide variety of practical and theoretical concepts relating to:<br/>- reasoning<br/>- evidence<br/>- organisation<br/>- prioritisation<br/>- listening<br/>- response<br/>- expression and delivery</p><p>Students should be reasonably confident speakers of English with some knowledge of topical issues and current affairs. Completion of the introductory course Debating: beginners is useful or you should have the relevant experience in debating or persuasive speech. In order to get the most from the course you will be able to:<br/>• Speak English fluently<br/>• Communicate in group situations<br/>• Give and receive constructive feedback<br/>• Read and respond to a range of texts<br/>• Take course notes for your own use</p><p>The course is taught largely through participation in debates of various sizes. The primary emphasis is on practice rather than theory, and a minimum of written handouts are used.<br/><br/>Various games and workshop exercises are used to prepare you for the debates, which are based on the tried-and-tested model of a ‘parliamentary debate’ to ensure that there is a solid structure for all speaking activity and to ensure everyone gets a chance to speak.<br/>You may be required to spend time outside the class undertaking some research and preparing for debates</p><p>Please have a notebook and pen.</p><p>The Art of Negotiating; Use your Voice Assertively or one of our courses in <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/technology-science-and-business/business-and-marketing/communication-skills-for-business">Communication skills for business</a>.</p>Voice and speechDebatingvirtual2819400Debating: improvers139139https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/https://www.citylit.ac.uk/static/version1762433779/frontend/WilliamsCommerce/citylit/en_GB/Magento_Catalog/images/product/placeholder/image.jpgInStockEveningWedKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-06-03T00:00:00+00:00Some experienceJun 2026Performing artsDVM044139139Debating: improvers13997139Gavin Illsleydebating-improvers/dvm044-2526For those who have some experience in debating or related courses, you will progress quickly in areas of content, strategy and style, while honing your articulation and enunciation. The course will be delivered in the college.0000-Available|2026-06-03 00:00:00Continuing from the work covered in Debating: Beginners (but also accessible to those who haven’t completed that course but who are confident speakers already), some of the topics covered on the class will include:<br/>- Reasoning and evidence: a range of tactics and strategies to examine flaws in your opponents’ reasoning, as will the best ways to construct your own watertight case. We will also refer to some of the most common ‘logical fallacies’. In-depth discussion and analysis of appropriate and inappropriate ways to use statistics will be examined, as well as arguments from common sense and anecdotal evidence.<br/>- Organisation and prioritisation: how to avoid repetition and duplication of points within the team, while also ensuring that your key messages are delivered clearly at various points in your argument.<br/>- Listening and response: you will be challenged with particularly hard ‘points of information’ and arguments to rebut, and will work together to devise innovative responses.<br/>- Expression and delivery: highly practical (and amusing!) sessions will work on all aspects of your voice (tone, pace, dynamics, different emotional states etc.) and body language.For those who have some experience in debating or related courses, you will progress quickly in areas of content, strategy and style, while honing your articulation and enunciation. The course will be delivered in the college.Content, strategy and style of debating as well as honing articulation and enunciation.Communicate effectively by using a wide variety of practical and theoretical concepts relating to:<br/>- reasoning<br/>- evidence<br/>- organisation<br/>- prioritisation<br/>- listening<br/>- response<br/>- expression and delivery.Students should be reasonably confident speakers of English with some knowledge of topical issues and current affairs. Completion of the introductory course Debating: beginners is useful or you should have the relevant experience in debating or persuasive speech. In order to get the most from the course you will be able to:<br/>• Speak English fluently<br/>• Communicate in group situations<br/>• Give and receive constructive feedback<br/>• Read and respond to a range of texts<br/>• Take course notes for your own use.The course is delivered in the college and taught largely through participation in debates of various sizes. The primary emphasis is on practice rather than theory, and a minimum of written handouts are used.<br/>Various games and workshop exercises are used to prepare you for the debates, which are based on the tried-and-tested model of a ‘parliamentary debate’ to ensure that there is a solid structure for all speaking activity and to ensure everyone gets a chance to speak.<br/>You may be required to spend time outside the class undertaking some research and preparing for debates.Please bring a notebook and pen to class.<p>Debating: Intensive, The Art of Negotiating, or one of our courses in <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/technology-science-and-business/business-and-marketing/communication-skills-for-business">Communication skills for business</a>.</p>Voice and speechDebatingvirtual13913997DVM042,DVM044NONEWed14/01/26 - 18/02/2620:00 - 21:4520:0021:456 sessions (over 6 weeks)65-10 weeksEveningWeekdayKSKeeley StreetGavin IllsleySome experienceAvailable courses2026-01-14T00:00:00+00:00,2026-06-03T00:00:00+00:00Jan 2026,Jun 2026Performing arts139139Debating: improversdebating-improvers/dvm042-2526,debating-improvers/dvm044-2526<p>For those who have some experience in debating or related courses, you will progress quickly in areas of content, strategy and style, while honing your articulation and enunciation. The course will be taught in the college.</p>,For those who have some experience in debating or related courses, you will progress quickly in areas of content, strategy and style, while honing your articulation and enunciation. The course will be delivered in the college.0000-Available|2026-01-14 00:00:00<p>Continuing from the work covered in Debating: Beginners (but also accessible to those who haven’t completed that course but who are confident speakers already), some of the topics covered on the class will include:<br/><br/>- Reasoning and evidence: a range of tactics and strategies to examine flaws in your opponents’ reasoning, as will the best ways to construct your own watertight case. We will also refer to some of the most common ‘logical fallacies’. In-depth discussion and analysis of appropriate and inappropriate ways to use statistics will be examined, as well as arguments from common sense and anecdotal evidence.<br/><br/>- Organisation and prioritisation: how to avoid repetition and duplication of points within the team, while also ensuring that your key messages are delivered clearly at various points in your argument.<br/><br/>- Listening and response: you will be challenged with particularly hard ‘points of information’ and arguments to rebut, and will work together to devise innovative responses.<br/><br/>- Expression and delivery: highly practical (and amusing!) sessions will work on all aspects of your voice (tone, pace, dynamics, different emotional states etc.) and body language.</p>,Continuing from the work covered in Debating: Beginners (but also accessible to those who haven’t completed that course but who are confident speakers already), some of the topics covered on the class will include:<br/>- Reasoning and evidence: a range of tactics and strategies to examine flaws in your opponents’ reasoning, as will the best ways to construct your own watertight case. We will also refer to some of the most common ‘logical fallacies’. In-depth discussion and analysis of appropriate and inappropriate ways to use statistics will be examined, as well as arguments from common sense and anecdotal evidence.<br/>- Organisation and prioritisation: how to avoid repetition and duplication of points within the team, while also ensuring that your key messages are delivered clearly at various points in your argument.<br/>- Listening and response: you will be challenged with particularly hard ‘points of information’ and arguments to rebut, and will work together to devise innovative responses.<br/>- Expression and delivery: highly practical (and amusing!) sessions will work on all aspects of your voice (tone, pace, dynamics, different emotional states etc.) and body language.<p>For those who have some experience in debating or related courses, you will progress quickly in areas of content, strategy and style, while honing your articulation and enunciation. The course will be taught in the college.</p>,For those who have some experience in debating or related courses, you will progress quickly in areas of content, strategy and style, while honing your articulation and enunciation. The course will be delivered in the college.<p>Content, strategy and style of debating as well as honing articulation and enunciation.</p>,Content, strategy and style of debating as well as honing articulation and enunciation.<p>Communicate effectively by using a wide variety of practical and theoretical concepts relating to:<br/>- reasoning<br/>- evidence<br/>- organisation<br/>- prioritisation<br/>- listening<br/>- response<br/>- expression and delivery</p>,Communicate effectively by using a wide variety of practical and theoretical concepts relating to:<br/>- reasoning<br/>- evidence<br/>- organisation<br/>- prioritisation<br/>- listening<br/>- response<br/>- expression and delivery.<p>Students should be reasonably confident speakers of English with some knowledge of topical issues and current affairs. Completion of the introductory course Debating: beginners is useful or you should have the relevant experience in debating or persuasive speech. In order to get the most from the course you will be able to:<br/>• Speak English fluently<br/>• Communicate in group situations<br/>• Give and receive constructive feedback<br/>• Read and respond to a range of texts<br/>• Take course notes for your own use</p>,Students should be reasonably confident speakers of English with some knowledge of topical issues and current affairs. Completion of the introductory course Debating: beginners is useful or you should have the relevant experience in debating or persuasive speech. In order to get the most from the course you will be able to:<br/>• Speak English fluently<br/>• Communicate in group situations<br/>• Give and receive constructive feedback<br/>• Read and respond to a range of texts<br/>• Take course notes for your own use.<p>The course is taught largely through participation in debates of various sizes. The primary emphasis is on practice rather than theory, and a minimum of written handouts are used.<br/><br/>Various games and workshop exercises are used to prepare you for the debates, which are based on the tried-and-tested model of a ‘parliamentary debate’ to ensure that there is a solid structure for all speaking activity and to ensure everyone gets a chance to speak.<br/>You may be required to spend time outside the class undertaking some research and preparing for debates</p>,The course is delivered in the college and taught largely through participation in debates of various sizes. The primary emphasis is on practice rather than theory, and a minimum of written handouts are used.<br/>Various games and workshop exercises are used to prepare you for the debates, which are based on the tried-and-tested model of a ‘parliamentary debate’ to ensure that there is a solid structure for all speaking activity and to ensure everyone gets a chance to speak.<br/>You may be required to spend time outside the class undertaking some research and preparing for debates.<p>Please have a notebook and pen.</p>,Please bring a notebook and pen to class.<p>The Art of Negotiating; Use your Voice Assertively or one of our courses in <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/technology-science-and-business/business-and-marketing/communication-skills-for-business">Communication skills for business</a>.</p>,<p>Debating: Intensive, The Art of Negotiating, or one of our courses in <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/technology-science-and-business/business-and-marketing/communication-skills-for-business">Communication skills for business</a>.</p>Voice and speechDebatingconfigurable
16571655Debatinghttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/performing-arts/voice-and-speech/debating1/2/285/1314/1655/16571/Courses/Performing arts/Voice and speech/Debating
