Law Society launches debating DVD
6 Oct 06
Initiative aimed at encouraging more schools to set up debating societies
A new DVD on the art of debating is to be distributed to schools throughout Scotland as part of the Law Society of Scotland’s project to encourage every school to get involved in speech and debate.
The DVD is supported by additional free learning materials available through the Society’s website.
The Society hopes to inspire pupils to enter the 2006-07 Donald Dewar Memorial Debating Tournament. Last year 152 teams competed in the annual tournament, which culminated in a national final held for the first time in the chamber of the Scottish Parliament, overseen by Presiding Officer George Reid, and the Society hopes to see an even bigger entry this year.
The Society and parliament have collaborated on the DVD, which links into lesson plans and activity sheets that the Society has designed and developed.
The materials provide new debaters and coaches with everything they need to prepare for entering a formal tournament, and the DVD allows them to view and critique a live performance before taking the final step into competition.
The Society highlights the importance of debate as a cornerstone of democratic society, in addition to the key skills it can help develop in young people, such as independent thinking, executing a line of argument and boosting confidence.
Mr Reid has also been a supporter of debates in schools for many years. He said: “Young people care passionately about many things, from the environment to the quality of their school meals.
“Being able to analyse a problem, set out clear arguments, identify solutions and, perhaps most importantly, convince others that what you suggest is best is at the heart of public life, and essential if young people are to contribute now and in the future to the wider world around them.”
Neil Stevenson, deputy director of the Society’s Education and Training department said: “We are really encouraged by the increasing numbers of schools which have chosen to enter the competition from all corners of the country and it’s clear that it is not solely the preserve of the well-known debating schools.
"In previous years we have had regional finalists from new debating clubs entering a competition for the first time, and we really want to encourage more schools to set up a debating group - whether or not they want to enter the competition.”
Local heats start in November with the regional finals taking place from March 2007. Applications forms and further information for schools can be obtained from http://www.lawscot.org.uk/training/debate or contact debate@lawscot.org.uk .