The ESU Middle School Debate Pilot is an educational initiative for students in grades 6, 7 and 8 to help them develop critical thinking and language arts skills through public speaking.
In collaboration with Claremont McKenna College’s Middle School Public Debate Program and The English-Speaking Union of the Commonwealth, we are thrilled to announce the launch of the New York Debate League and the Garden State Debate League for middle school students in New York City and Central New Jersey. Educators and students from public, charter, independent and parochial schools are all invited to join us as we train the next generation of citizens in the art of civil discourse.
For more information on creating a debate program in your school, please visit www.middleschooldebate.com.
Please join us for these FREE professional development DEBATE WORKSHOPS on:
Saturday, September 17th at Stone Bridge Middle School in Allentown, NJ
Sunday, September 18th at The English-Speaking Union, New York City
Dr. George Ray, Chairman of the ESU’s Education Committee explains the ESU’s goals:
"Over the past few years, our membership has expressed ongoing interest in expanding our work into debate because of its importance in developing not only language and critical thinking skills in young people, but also their self-esteem. We hope the program will grow to have as great an impact as our ESU National Shakespeare Competition.”
The English-Speaking Union of the United States Debate pilot has been generously funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed through this program or in this website do not necessarily reflect those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
The pilot program also received funding from the Drey Endowment of the English-Speaking Union, Central Florida Branch and members of the ESU Education Committee.
For more information and to join the New York Debate League or Garden State Debate League, contact:
Carol Losos
Director of Educational Programs
The English-Speaking of the United States
144 E. 39th St.
New York , NY 10016
(212) 818-1200, closos@esuus.org
