Everything English: Debate and Create

In an increasingly polarized world, everything is a topic for debate. In our course, we will hone our English skills and strengthen public speaking confidence by engaging in different kinds of debates. Such skills are invaluable in a variety of fields, as persuasive communication is essential for closing deals, arguing cases, or giving presentations. Our goal is to learn, not to win, so no debate experience is necessary. We hope that by the end of the course, students will awaken their inner debater. Since emotions can run high even among the friendlies of debaters, we will conclude each session with a creative exercise. Students can select among creative writing, skit creation, role play, or creating a piece of art. Each exercise will be grounded in building English skills.

Our first session will cover the basics of debate and address general topics that the students may submit beforehand, which can be selected. We will do several mini exercises to warm students up for debating. In addition to the desired topics submitted ahead of time by students, we will also cover areas such as sports, AI, the environment, myths and legends, and law. This balance allows students to debate modern topics while also enjoying more relaxed sessions where they can talk about their passions.

Samantha Deddeh

Sam is an American law student living in Vienna Austria. She holds a BA in history and has been teaching in volunteer and non-volunteer roles for 9 years, holding courses in English, History, and Spanish. Being neurodivergent, Sam takes special care to provide lessons that engage different learning styles and allow students to compete, create, and critically discuss. When she is not preparing for her law exams, Sam does remote strategy work for two boys volleyball teams in California. When she is home, she loves writing, doing escape rooms, and going to Disneyland.