Critical thinking skills, preparation through research, articulate speech and public speaking expertise are merely the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the lifetime benefits we can gain from debating. Here we talk to some of Shanghai’s top young debaters who provide their insights into joining school debate clubs, while also sharing their most memorable experiences.
To give our readers a comprehensive picture of these great debaters, we speak with Emma, who is in Year 10 at Harrow International School Shanghai.
Can you tell us how you became interested in debating?
I became interested in debating when participating in Model United Nations (MUN) for the first time. Initially, I wasn’t sure what debating was really like. However, after participating in the MUN, it caught my attention and seemed like something that I would be very interested in. After that, I participated in the World Scholar’s Cup (WSC) regional round in Shanghai, and that was all I needed to know that I like debating…a lot.
How did it feel to be the highest scoring debater for Harrow at the Yale Tournament of Champions?
Being the highest scoring debater for Harrow was amazing, even though very unexpected. It was a huge achievement, one of the many things that have made me so grateful that I started debating at Harrow and haven’t stopped.
Did you ever feel nervous when voicing your opinions in front of an audience? And how did you overcome that?
I was nervous the first time I started debating, I didn’t mind sharing my opinions in front of an audience but I was just a nervous to actually stand up in front of them. Personally, getting over my nerves wasn’t as hard as I expected it to be. What helped was taking a deep breath and then allowing myself to get caught up in the moment in expressing what I believed, and sharing my thoughts. The nerves immediately went away as soon as I started talking. The best advice I can give anyone is, “believe in yourself.”
How do you think you can benefit from joining the school debate club?
From joining the debate club, I have benefitted from learning more knowledge for the actual debate, for example the world affairs that a lot of debates are currently based on. It has really helped with improving the way I debate and how I deliver my views.
Can you tell us your most memorable debate experience?
My most memorable debate experience is for sure the World Scholar’s Cup at Yale. Not only was it about debating, it also gave me a huge insight into one of the future universities I dream of attending. It was an absolutely fantastic experience debating at Yale against so many different people, sharing opinions and views that we all have on different topics. Yale WSC was definitely the most unforgettable debate I have ever done.
Do you have a list of topics that you are passionate to debate on in the future?
I love debating about science. It is definitely my favorite topic to debate about. You can express knowledge and opinion at the same time. Even when you research for different things to say in your debate, you come across the most fascinating things. What I love most about scientific topics is cosmology or countries joining internationally for the space station program. These issues are so very intriguing to learn about, and when you’re interested in the topic you're debating, you inevitably do it to a very high standard.
Do you have any advice or tips that you can give to your fellow debaters?
Don’t over stress yourself. Don't think your opinion is wrong. Say what you believe in. That’s what has got me through debating. It's knowing that no one’s opinion is wrong. Everybody has different views, and no one is going to judge what you say as long as it is said with respect. As well as all that, have fun with it.
Besides Emma, we also ask Stanley, who now studies at Shanghai American School, to provide his advice or tips in debating.
How long have you been debating? And what was it that made you interested in debating?
I’ve been debating for a year and a half now and it was truly a great opportunity for me to improve my public speaking. What motivated me to be interested in debate was the moment of frustration when my opponents say something I’ve never thought of. The moment when I realize, what a genius thought and approach to this idea, is the moment I’ve been desperate to experience. Only then will I get better at debate.
Every year the World Scholar’s Cup sees top student debaters, were you nervous during the competition? And how did you overcome that?
I am definitely nervous during every competition. Every time I hope that I do the best I can and advance to the next level. I overcome the nerves by telling myself, “Just go out there and have fun. Give your best effort.” I don’t allow myself to go into the room with thoughts like, “I’m going to lose.”
What topics do you think are worth debating among students?
Personally, I think each topic has its own merit. However, if I had to choose, I think that morality debates are important. This is because morality debates really allow students to think why or why not a certain question is true and should be supported.
Do you have any idols who you look up to? Where do you get your inspiration from?
I get my inspiration from my brothers and his friends. When I attended a debate competition in Canton where top university students and national team members were there, I faced up against the Chinese national team. Most significantly, they were my brother’s friends. The fact that they could come up with such great points astonished me. It inspired me to become better than before and to be, one day, equally as good as them.
Have you come across any difficult topics that you struggled to prepare for?
Yes many, especially the ones that I only have 15 or 30 minutes to prepare for, such as British Parliament Debates or World Schools Debates. If I don’t understand the topic right away then it’s a rough debate, because I have no idea what the opposition is talking about.
Do you have any advice or tips that you can give to your fellow debaters?
The only advice I’d give to a fellow debater is “Don’t be afraid to lose”. No matter how bad you just lost your debate, the only thing that matters is that you have learnt how the elites debate. That’s the only way you’ll get better. For me, I went up against some very good people and I honestly didn’t know what to say when I stood at the podium. However, what divides good debaters and bad debaters is if they have the mentality to learn.
Emma Wang is in Year 10 at Harrow International School Shanghai.
Stanley Chiu is from Shanghai American School.
