A former Associate Director at Yale University says: “In my opinion, there is no better activity that will develop essential academic, professional, and life skills than dedicated involvement in speech and debate. Colleges and employers are actively seeking these skills and when it comes to selecting extracurricular activities, like many other things in life, those savvy high school students who will win admission to the best schools will select quality over quantity.”
1. overcome speaking anxieties which according to Glenn Croston Ph.D. “…is so great that we fear it more than death.”
2. increase their public communication skills. Examples of famous public speakers who participated in speech and debate at their schools and colleges: Margaret Thatcher, Nelson Mandela, Oprah Winfrey, and Richard Nixon.
3. develop research skills;
4. advance critical thinking and reasoning skills;
5. develop great organizational skills;
6. become more open to both sides of an issue, a great quality for any professional to have;
7. become familiar with current societal issues;
8. learn how to work on a team;
9. receive valuable training for college and future careers;
10. receive a great addition for college and career resumes;
11. to be open to different opinions;
12. accept criticism;
13. learn how to lose gracefully;
14. and know that appearance is very important and learn how to dress and look professionally.