2016 NTU English Debate Workshop

Q1: I think my English level is not high enough to attend this workshop.


A1: It is your own opinion, after all, my dear. Firstly, English debate is more than how much vocab you understand! The essence of an English debate lies in your ways of packaging your thoughts in an organized way and express them clearly enough to let judges and your opponents understand. Moreover, we will assign participants to different small classes so as to fit their english levels as well meet friends with the same trouble in learning English. Even though you may not catch up with the fast speed of speech that a normal English speaker has from the outlet, raise up your hand and ask your teacher to rephrase what he/she just said. Our lecturers all get a passionate heart to promote English debate and want to infect you with the enthusiasm unique to a debater.  Secondly, a virtuous cycle happens  in the process of debating. You listen to what others are talking and may again mention the same words as they do (maybe for rebuttal XD), but which you firstly din't know how to use or just didn't know their meaning at all, thus increasing your vocab as a result. Living in Taiwan isn't convenient for an English-speaking atmosphere, and through debate you can even know the nuances between different synonyms, let alone daily English conversation skills. Last but not least, you can learn knowledge from different fields to support your arguments! So no need to be restricted just by your English level! 

Q2: Will it be boring to take three-day classes during the workshop? 

A2: In the course of the workshop, lecturers provide participants with interactive experience to infuse them with the knowledge needed for a debater. Sessions such as mini-games that will gradually increase your interest and understanding of debate, brainstormimg practices that help you dig more related learned matters from your head and stakeholders analyses that through more interesting examples supplemented increase participants' awareness of a motion. Lecturers are not only rich in taking part in debates but also in giving debate tutoring class. Therefore, the schedule won't be boring at all, and instead a broaden horizon by the students can be achieved.   

Q3: What can I learn from a English debate workshop except English debate?

A3: Debates allow us to reflect more profoundly on our belief systems and contemplate on the basis of some ingrained biases which turns out  nonsense under scrutiny of reasonable arguments. A habit of listening and negotiating patientlyis cultivated when we meet conflicts brought about by an array of viewpoints among any of which can be a possible answer. After a debate, we make friendships with the ones who were just deeply and totally disagreed with us and continue together our exploration into the whole picture of the motion debated. Through English debate, we narrow the gap between different people and obliterate the boundaries on a world map. Those who win the debate under the framework of British Parliamentary Debate are not the most prepared but the most exhausted --- exhausting their own arguments and exhausting their opponents' flaws of reasoning.  

Q4: Who should i ask if I have any more doubt needed to be answered and "curiosity" needed to be fulfilled? 

A4: Please feel free to contact us through Facebook page (台大英文辯論工作坊 NTU English Debate Workshop) and e-mail: ntuengdeb@gmail.com.