School Supplies SG

Clubs & Societies

Debate / Public Speaking

Debate Society trains for Asian Schools Debating Championship feeders, NSDC and Public Speaking competitions. Almost no shopping needed — a sturdy notebook, current affairs app subscription, stopwatch.

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Before you shop

What Debate / Public Speaking is like in school

Debate Society trains for the Singapore Secondary Schools Debating Championship feeders, National Schools Debating Championship (NSDC), and Asian Schools Debating Championship qualifications. Public Speaking competitions also run.

Activity rhythm

  • Weekly 2-3 hour session — motion discussion, case prep, sparring.
  • Tournaments roughly monthly during peak season.
  • Heavy news-reading expected outside training.

The school provides

  • Coaching (teacher / external coach / alumni).
  • Tournament registration.
  • Reading materials and past motions.

What parents buy

  • A4 ruled notebook × 2.
  • Digital stopwatch.
  • 0.7mm pen set in 4 colours (flow notes go faster with colour coding).
  • Newspaper / news app subscription (optional but worth it).

Watch-outs

  • Debate is research-heavy outside training — 30 min daily news reading is the bar.
  • Don't memorise speeches — judges spot it instantly. Spontaneous structure beats memorisation.

Frequently asked

  • Does Debate count for LEAPS / CCA?
    Yes — Clubs & Societies under LEAPS 2.0.
  • Format?
    Most SG schools train Asian-style 3-on-3 debate. Some also train British Parliamentary or World Schools style.
  • Public speaking different from debate?
    Yes — public speaking is monologue; debate is adversarial. Many schools run both under the same society.

Debate / Public Speaking kit

Almost no gear. Notebook + news app + stopwatch.

4 items

  1. A4 ruled notebook · 2

  2. Digital stopwatch

  3. Flow-pen set (different colours)

  4. News app subscriptionoptional

    Stay current — Straits Times / Economist student rate.

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