Age 12 -18

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Course Description:
Do you like the idea of debating big ideas without the pressure of being an expert? Imagine a lively discussion where you get to argue both sides of a topic, think on your feet, and work as a team—all in a fun and supportive environment! That’s parliamentary debate, and this class is your perfect introduction to it.

In this summer course, you’ll learn the basics of parliamentary debate by jumping into exciting mock debates about simple topics, like sleeping early vs. sleeping late, to topics that really matter—from social issues to global challenges. No prior experience is needed—just bring your curiosity, creativity, and willingness to speak your mind. You’ll practice crafting strong arguments, responding to others’ ideas, and figuring out how to win over your audience (whether you’re arguing for or against the topic). Best of all, you’ll do it with a group of other students who are ready to learn and have fun together.

This class is intended for middle and high school students. 

 

Key Topics Include:

• How Parliamentary Debate Works (and why it’s so much fun!)

• Crafting Arguments and Using Evidence to Back Up Your Ideas

• Thinking Quickly and Responding to Opponents on the Spot

• Working with Your Debate Team to Build Winning Strategies

• Public Speaking Tips for Confidence and Clarity

 

Real-World Applications:

• Confidence: Become more comfortable speaking in front of others, no matter the situation.

• Research Skills: Develop the ability to gather, analyze, and use evidence effectively to support your arguments.

• Critical Thinking: Sharpen your analytical skills to evaluate ideas, challenge assumptions, and build well-reasoned arguments.

• Teamwork: Learn how to collaborate and support your teammates in a fast-paced setting.

• Problem-Solving: Hone your ability to think critically and come up with clever solutions to tough problems.

• Persuasion: Get better at convincing others of your ideas, whether it’s in class, with friends, or in future leadership roles.

 

Why Take This Course?
This class is ideal for students eager to try something new, strengthen their speaking skills, or simply enjoy learning how to think quickly and argue persuasively in a supportive environment. Whether you’re completely new to debate or seeking a summer challenge, this course will empower you to speak with confidence and make your voice heard.

Research shows that debate sharpens critical thinking, research abilities, and public speaking skills by teaching students to analyze arguments, conduct thorough research, and communicate effectively. Debaters also tend to excel academically while building teamwork, leadership, and civic engagement skills—valuable soft skills that are essential for life.

Ready to join the debate? Let’s dive in and discover just how exciting and rewarding it can be to learn (and argue!) together!

 

Course Materials:

All course materials will be supplied electronically by the instructor.

 

Course Fees:

The tuition for this course is $185

 

Schedule:

The course begins on June 30, 2025, and ends on July 25, 2025. We will meet every Tuesday at 6 pm EST via Zoom.

 

Technical requirements:

Students will need a computer with high-speed internet access.

 

Course Delivery:

The content of the course will be conducted via Canvas and Zoom.

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Instructor Qualifications:

 

Elia Ching and Charis Ching will co-teach this course. 

 

Elia excels in the realms of debate, writing, and research. He is a Seaver Scholar and Robert Day Scholar at Claremont McKenna College majoring in Economics and Government. As an accomplished speaker and debater, Elia has achieved notable accolades, such as reaching the semifinals at the Stanford Invitational Parliamentary Open and securing third place nationally in both Team Policy and Parliamentary debate competitions. He is also an accomplished extemporaneous speech competitor. Additionally, Elia has been a debate coach for a few years and was a speech and debate coach at Valley Christian School, sharing his extensive knowledge with aspiring debaters. 

Beyond the realm of debate, Elia possesses a deep passion for conducting research across various fields, including International Relations, Economics, and Public Policy. He was an intern at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Council on Foreign Relations,Foreign Policy Research Institute, California Policy Center and Stanford Economics Department. Throughout his academic journey, Elia has had the opportunities of conducting research under professors from Dartmouth, New York University, UC Santa Barbara, Carleton, and the University of Connecticut. He is also a podcast host at the Keck Center for International and Strategic Studies. 

Elia hopes to inspire young students with his knowledge, skills and passion. He believes that the ability for youth to think, speak, and analyze the world around them is the most important skill they can have.

 

Charis is a student at MIT majoring in Computer Science and Mathematics.Teaching has always been at the heart of Charis' journey. She represented MIT in Italy, where she curated and taught a debate curriculum to over 120 students, an experience that was featured in a local newspaper. She has also served as a robotics coach, taught at SPARKS, an educational outreach program at MIT, and worked as a Teaching Assistant for AP math classes at AP Homeschoolers for several years. She has often been praised for being relatable to students, with engaging teaching methods that make challenging concepts accessible.

Charis is accomplished in speech and debate, having reached the champion rounds and being a finalist in several national debate tournaments. She credits her training in speech and debate for her refined research skills in STEM and her polished presentation at scientific conferences. Charis believes that debate is one of the most essential life skills she gained during her high school years and is passionate about passing it on to her students.

She is committed to helping her students build confidence, critical thinking, and communication skills, empowering them to express their ideas with clarity and conviction.

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