2021 English Debate Contest

written by 20305 Kim Min Chae & 20321 Yim Tae Hee

Along with other curriculums, students at SAWL learn how to debate in English in an appropriate manner. Among the 2^nd  graders, it is the English majors who learn debating in class. They learn how to persuade opponents and audiences while keeping debate rules and proper speech organizations.

For those who are especially interested in English debate, there is an English Debate Contest in which they can compete with other students and show their debate skills freely. This year, the English Debate Contest was held from late October to late December.

Each team consisted of two English majors and one Russian, Japanese, French or Chinese major. Those students had been selected from the preliminary heats which had been an interview for English majors and an application form for other language majors.

All participants were required to comply with Karl Popper debate rules. The matches followed the sequence of quarterfinals, semifinals and finals.

The tournament was hosted by Subin Yim and the judges were Subin Yim, Misbah Saleh, Ray Symonds and other English teachers at SAWL.

Judging criteria covered content, strategy, and style, respectively checking whether students presented the speech with all components needed and brought up valid evidence, whether students cooperated with team members and dealt with cross-examination successfully, and whether students followed the rules and showed fluency.

The goal of the tournament was to develop students’ critical logic and English expertise by letting them do research on social issues and build up their logic on the topic for persuasive debating. As for the topic of the debate, Yim explained that she picks out the topic which does not require deep background knowledge so as not to put too much pressure on the students. She tries to find out the one which students can approach from various points of view.

Yim said that cooperation is of the utmost importance because it’s difficult to come up with a strong argument only with a brilliant individual.

15^th generation English major Lee Ha Ram who participated in the debate said, “Because we have a wide topic this time, our team discussed a lot about where we should put some focus. Most importantly, we prepare the evidence part. For me, the second speaker, the objective reason that can support our main argument was very crucial.”

Confidently, Lee said that victory is only for his team.

However, 15^th  generation Russian major Lim Seo Yun mentioned a slightly different viewpoint.

Lim said, “I was so nervous to participate in the English debate for the first time. But through this tournament, I can have some valuable experience and I will do my best all the time by remembering this moment.”