Developing Critical Thinking Skills Through Debate Clubs
The revered leader, Nelson Mandela, once said about debate: “A good leader can engage in a debate frankly and thoroughly, knowing that at the end he and the other side must be closer, and thus emerge stronger.” This is, in the most concise definition, the overall goal of what debate can and should be for people of all ages. No matter who you are, your academic standing, or your background, learning the art of debate can be crucial to your development as a student. That is why we at The National Society of High School Scholars wanted to take a closer look at what a debate club can offer and how it can improve your performance. But let’s first take a brief look at how the concept of debate came to be.
The Origins of Debate: From Ancient Greece to the Modern World
The simple art of debating, or having a structured argument with a peer, has its origins going back all the way to ancient Greece. To some, the act of debating is the most constructive form of communication. Debating clubs or ‘societies’ appeared in London in the early 18th century. At first a rather niche and secretive society, the clubs soon took on a mass appeal and quickly spread across the world as a sort of sporting event.
The Role of Debate Clubs in Schools and Communities
Today debate clubs are most-often found in high schools and some colleges, as well as off-shoots for teens and adults outside of school, such as ToastMasters. The clubs offer a slew of incredible benefits to students and the school systems as a whole. They are a cheap, constructive, and even exciting event for students, teachers, parents, and peers to get involved in. And, despite a typical assumption, they are not just for erudite elites. In fact, they are often more beneficial to students with low-academic performances.
How Debate Clubs Improve Academic Performance
A recent study was conducted by two professors from the University of Virginia and Harvard University on this very topic. They analyzed the performance of 3,500 students over a ten-year period, all of whom were enrolled in debate clubs in the Boston public school system at one time. The results were astounding: the students who participated in a debate club were able to improve their English Language Arts (ELA) test results by 68%. They also had a much higher chance of graduating high school, and even the improved results to receive acceptance to higher education such as trade schools and four-year universities. A majority of these students were ninth graders, whose past academic performance was below average. And, according to the study, the skills gained in these clubs also helped improve their approach to other areas in school such as math and science. But you still might be wondering how debating amongst your peers can lead to improved math scores. Well, it’s actually much more aligned than you might think.
Debate clubs teach students how to argue their point, research the topic at hand before they get up to speak, and to listen and think critically about what the other side is arguing. These skills are essential as students age into college, and even as they enter into the workforce. Debate clubs don’t just teach you to have a witty aside at-the-ready, in fact that is unwelcome in debate clubs. The art of debate is two-fold: you must find an objective in your overall argument, as well as find the reasoning behind that argument. When a student is tasked to think critically about a topic—even one she or he may not agree with—they are opening their minds to a wider range of thought. This rigorous and multi-disciplinary approach to the nuances of argument and thought can really shape the way you see things as diverse as math equations and history lessons.
Overcoming Fear and Building Confidence Through Debate
And, what’s more, you don’t have to do it alone.
In order to fully experience the excitement of a debate club, you have to be willing to join one. This can be scary for anyone, no matter their age or background. The most common fear among people is the fear of public speaking, but with debate clubs, you are almost always a part of a team. This sportsmanlike construct can aid in your development as a student and young professional. It can help you work with others, as well as the confidence to speak up for yourself with people you don’t know as well as your friends and family. This confidence will be something you can develop over time and take with you as you continue to encounter new and exciting opportunities in the coming years.
Debate Clubs: A Timeless Opportunity for Growth
Debate clubs have been around for over two hundred years, but they are only recently shown to be more beneficial than ever before. By engaging with new topics and new approaches to thinking, as well as working alongside a team, you can improve the way you look at problems for the rest of your life. If you are still struggling to exercise these necessary skills, we offer a ten-part, online course called Success Beyond Academics. In this program, we address both personal and professional skills employers value. Our modules focus on a number of invaluable lessons, such as core values, critical thinking, and communication. It is a way for students to engage with their own development and to prepare for the professional world.
At NSHSS, we believe that every student should push themselves to step outside their comfort zone, because it is only then that they might see the right path toward their future. If you are interested in debate clubs and want to learn more, there are many ways you can do this. You can talk with your parents, your school guidance counselor, or check out any number of the websites linked in this article. And, as always, feel free to explore the NSHSS website for more information on how you can take the next step in your future.