Ten Feet Tall

Empowering Speaking Confidence

Debate Classes

New Zealand's Private Debate Competition

We're on a mission to give all kiwi kids access to debate classes.  Join our weekly fun debate classes and experience the benefits of debating. Scroll down to register and pay for the term using our online form below.

Benefits of Debate Classes

Develop critical thinking skills considering both sides of an argument

Sharpen writing skills learning to structure ideas effectively for purpose

Speak confidently about ideas with respect and reflection

Work as a team to understand the ideas and develop the argument

Why Debate?

Not all high schools in New Zealand have debate clubs, and if they do teach debate, usually it is with senior students teaching. Many start at year 7-8, with most clubs not promoting inter-school competition until year 9-10.   

For some senior level students, debate is largely inaccessible - especially for students who are not naturally confident, outspoken, or well-versed in the structure and speaking skills required to debate. Students need time and the opportunity to develop these skills. 

Ten Feet Tall has been offering Speech and Drama and Public Speaking classes for many years.  To give our students the fullest opportunity to develop important life skills: debate is another essential opportunity.

Our vision is to give all Kiwi kids the opportunity to debate and the skills to participate in their school debate team.

Why start young?

It is important that children learn to think critically. Debate challenges students to think on the opposite side of topics that they may not agree with and learn to convey opinions, or any idea - logically, reasonably, and succinctly. Benefits we see in our current classes:

  • Increased curiosity: feel comfortable asking questions, like learning fun facts, and encouraged to research in their own time.
  • Improved listening skills: have to pay attention in order to be able to respond and rebut.
  • Can identify and know how to apply a clear structure to points to make them more compelling, using evidence and stepping through explanations.
  • Discipline and time management in completing homework outside of class time.

Ten Feet Tall Debate Programme

Our debating programme is based on the 3v3 debating style that is predominantly used in NZ high school debating, following the NZ schools debating council guide. Their website is linked below: https://www.debating.org.nz/

Join us from anywhere in New Zealand online with our weekly classes on Wednessday or Friday.  We use Zoom to meet weekly and at the end of the term students participate in a debate.

*New Term 3!* We are now offering face to face debate just off the Northern Motorway, Albany Highway off ramp, at Meadowood Community House. 

Debate Events

Asian Junior Championships - 23rd July - Best wishes to our Year 7/8 team entering!

Debate Day -11th September -Join us for a fun day of face to face debate. Scroll down to register.  Debate Day 11th September 2022

Debate Registration

  • Please ensure full names are given as these names will be used for certificates.
  • We offer Online classes on Wednesdays and Saturdays. We offer face to face classes at the Meadowood Community House on Saturdays
  • Please let us know if your child has allergies or a medical condition that we need to know about to keep them safe whilst in our classes. Please also let us know if they need extra support with their learning.

Join us for Debate Day

We are excited to offer our first ever 'debate day' Join us from 10am -4pm at Pinehurst School for a day of a morning of learning debate skills and an afternoon of debating.

When: 11th September

Where: Pinehurst School

Who: Year 4-10 students [students will be grouped by age]

Cost: $60