A Little Summer Bonus – Save 15% Use code SUMMER2025 for 15% off eligible summer courses between £99 and £500 – and feel free to use it as often as you like.
Debating requires the ability to speak English persuasively in public and, crucially, to respond rapidly to other people’s objections to what you say. In this shorter, intensive version of our highly popular course, we will cover the theory and practice of debating, and you will progress quickly in areas of content, strategy and style. A great mental workout.
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
Debating requires the ability to speak English persuasively in public and, crucially, to respond rapidly to other people’s objections to what you say. In this shorter, intensive version of our highly popular course, we will cover the theory and practice of debating, and you will progress quickly in areas of content, strategy and style. A great mental workout.You will cover the theory and practice of debating, employing communication skills that can be used in a range of circumstances from informal discussion to the multi-national board-room.
What will we cover?
You will look at constructing effective arguments: developing a point logically with persuasive argument while anticipating possible objections.
There will be opportunities to play games and exercises in order to learn some theory of communication and practise given to you for extended speaking in a more formal context.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Better develop your own argument
Speak more fluently in different contexts
Listen, understand and respond critically to others
Participate effectively as a member of any team
Present yourself more confidently.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
Suitable for all. 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
If you are new to voice classes please take a moment to read our full sequence of voice and speech classes at City Lit (click here) before choosing.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
You will learn through group and individual work.
A balance will be struck between the informal and the formal, the debating rules once introduced facilitating and encouraging the fair and balanced free flow of interrelating speeches. Some preparation will be required.
As part of the course content, your tutor may record your image for initial and ongoing assessment purposes. You are entitled to decline to participate in the recording of your image.
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-intensive150353Debating: intensivehttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/https://www.citylit.ac.uk/static/version1752849002/frontend/WilliamsCommerce/citylit/en_GB/Magento_Catalog/images/product/placeholder/image.jpg119119GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Performing arts/Courses/Performing arts/Voice and speech/Courses/Performing arts/Voice and speech/Debating/Courses/vm/Summer courses/Courses/vm/Summer courses/Summer courses in performing arts228513141655165713457135661228513141655165313457Debating requires the ability to speak English persuasively in public and, crucially, to respond rapidly to other people’s objections to what you say. In this shorter, intensive version of our highly popular course, we will cover the theory and practice of debating, and you will progress quickly in areas of content, strategy and style. A great mental workout. The course helps you improve your speaking and listening skills in social and work situations by using the principles of a formal ‘parliamentary’ debate. This model for conducting an argument ensures that equal weight is given to all participants, and formalises important guidelines which often remain as ‘unwritten rules’ in other forms of speaking.<br />
We will look, for example, at when it is and is not appropriate to interrupt a fellow speaker, and at how preparation is only effective when tempered with the ability to respond to what other people have said, and to think on the spot. You will often be required to speak in favour of something which you might disagree with, building your ability to empathise with others and improving mental agility.<br />
<br />
Most importantly, it is great fun; just as the rules of tennis or football make for matches filled with excitement and anticipation, exactly the same is true of debates. It’s also a team activity; you will learn to work closely with fellow students to ensure that you can present a coherent front.15328320Debating: intensive119119https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/no_selectionInStockEveningWedKeeley StreetNo longer available1 to 4 weeksWeekday2025-07-23T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experienceJul 2025Performing artsDVB045119119Debating: intensive11983119Gavin Illsleydebating-intensive/dvb045-2425Debating requires the ability to speak English persuasively in public and, crucially, to respond rapidly to other people’s objections to what you say. In this shorter, intensive version of our highly popular course, we will cover the theory and practice of debating, and you will progress quickly in areas of content, strategy and style. A great mental workout.0015-FullStillOpen|2025-07-23 00:00:00Debating requires the ability to speak English persuasively in public and, crucially, to respond rapidly to other people’s objections to what you say. In this shorter, intensive version of our highly popular course, we will cover the theory and practice of debating, and you will progress quickly in areas of content, strategy and style. A great mental workout.You will cover the theory and practice of debating, employing communication skills that can be used in a range of circumstances from informal discussion to the multi-national board-room.Debating requires the ability to speak English persuasively in public and, crucially, to respond rapidly to other people’s objections to what you say. In this shorter, intensive version of our highly popular course, we will cover the theory and practice of debating, and you will progress quickly in areas of content, strategy and style. A great mental workout.You will look at constructing effective arguments: developing a point logically with persuasive argument while anticipating possible objections.<br />
There will be opportunities to play games and exercises in order to learn some theory of communication and practise given to you for extended speaking in a more formal context.Better develop your own argument<br />
Speak more fluently in different contexts<br />
Listen, understand and respond critically to others<br />
Participate effectively as a member of any team<br />
Present yourself more confidently.Suitable for all. 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<br />
If you are new to voice classes please take a moment to read our <br />
<a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/blog/voice-and-speech-classes-city-lit " target="_blank"> full sequence of voice and speech classes at City Lit (click here) </a> before choosing.You will learn through group and individual work.<br />
A balance will be struck between the informal and the formal, the debating rules once introduced facilitating and encouraging the fair and balanced free flow of interrelating speeches. Some preparation will be required. <br />
<br />
As part of the course content, your tutor may record your image for initial and ongoing assessment purposes. You are entitled to decline to participate in the recording of your image.Please have a notebook and pen.Debating: Improvers, 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"target="_blank">Communication skills for business</a>.virtual11911983DVB045NONEWed23/07/25 - 06/08/2518:30 - 21:0018:3021:003 sessions (over 3 weeks)31 to 4 weeksEveningWeekdayKSKeeley StreetGavin IllsleyBeginners, Some experienceNo longer available2025-07-23T00:00:00+00:00Jul 2025Performing arts119119Debating: intensivedebating-intensive/dvb045-2425Debating requires the ability to speak English persuasively in public and, crucially, to respond rapidly to other people’s objections to what you say. In this shorter, intensive version of our highly popular course, we will cover the theory and practice of debating, and you will progress quickly in areas of content, strategy and style. A great mental workout.0015-FullStillOpen|2025-07-23 00:00:00Debating requires the ability to speak English persuasively in public and, crucially, to respond rapidly to other people’s objections to what you say. In this shorter, intensive version of our highly popular course, we will cover the theory and practice of debating, and you will progress quickly in areas of content, strategy and style. A great mental workout.You will cover the theory and practice of debating, employing communication skills that can be used in a range of circumstances from informal discussion to the multi-national board-room.Debating requires the ability to speak English persuasively in public and, crucially, to respond rapidly to other people’s objections to what you say. In this shorter, intensive version of our highly popular course, we will cover the theory and practice of debating, and you will progress quickly in areas of content, strategy and style. A great mental workout.You will look at constructing effective arguments: developing a point logically with persuasive argument while anticipating possible objections.<br />
There will be opportunities to play games and exercises in order to learn some theory of communication and practise given to you for extended speaking in a more formal context.Better develop your own argument<br />
Speak more fluently in different contexts<br />
Listen, understand and respond critically to others<br />
Participate effectively as a member of any team<br />
Present yourself more confidently.Suitable for all. 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<br />
If you are new to voice classes please take a moment to read our <br />
<a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/blog/voice-and-speech-classes-city-lit " target="_blank"> full sequence of voice and speech classes at City Lit (click here) </a> before choosing.You will learn through group and individual work.<br />
A balance will be struck between the informal and the formal, the debating rules once introduced facilitating and encouraging the fair and balanced free flow of interrelating speeches. Some preparation will be required. <br />
<br />
As part of the course content, your tutor may record your image for initial and ongoing assessment purposes. You are entitled to decline to participate in the recording of your image.Please have a notebook and pen.Debating: Improvers, 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"target="_blank">Communication skills for business</a>.configurable
16571655Debatinghttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/performing-arts/voice-and-speech/debating1/2/285/1314/1655/16571/Courses/Performing arts/Voice and speech/Debating
