The Many Benefits of Learning Debate by Ivy Bridge Academy

Ivy Bridge Academy (IBA) discusses the many benefits of Debate which helps students achieve multiple lifelong skills. Students who participate in Debate will leave with a sense of accomplishment, newfound confidence, and a skill set that will help them through the rest of their schooling and even into adulthood. Through Debate, students learn the academic skills necessary to become future leaders.
Advantages to Learning How to Debate:
Improve Communication
Debate activities focus on the four core zones of literacy: reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Students articulation improves as they practice Debate and compete in Tournaments. These skills help students with
clear communication which is crucial in their adult life and their occupation.
Improve Confidence
Through the act of speaking in front of others and participating in tournaments, students confidence tends to improve greatly. Students debate skills improve with practice and repetition and in turn enhance their self esteem as they become more comfortable speaking in front of others.
Enhance Research/Critical Thinking Skills

Students gather and organize information on debate topics thereby enhancing their research skills. They increase their reasoning and critical thinking skills by learning about both sides of a topic and being able
to persuade or refute either side. Debate students use their reasoning, logic and understanding of the subject to be successful in the debate.
Expression of Thoughts

Debate requires students to form their opinion on the topic and to formulate arguments on why they agree or disagree with the topic. Through this process, students' ability to express their opinion is improved tremendously.
Develop Interpersonal Skills

Students work together in pairs on the assigned topic. They learn from one another and develop skills on how to collaborate with others.
Leaders in the Community

Students who learn to debate are proven leaders who exhibit confidence in themselves and speaking to the pubic. Leaders are active in the community and strive for the better good.
Improve Academic Skills

Through research and ultimate presentation of the assigned debate topic, students will spend time reading, writing, speaking and listening. Students plan their case and organize their information to present.
Students persuasion and refuting skills are developed. Through the activity of debate, students develop skills that help them in their future academics.
College Acceptance

Students with debate experience tend to consistently score higher on the SAT and ACT tests. Many Ivy Bridge Academy Debate Team High School students have been accepted to top National colleges including: Harvard, Brown, Michigan University, Duke University, New York University, Vanderbilt, Stanford University, Yale University, MIT and more.

Ivy Bridge Academy offers a Debate Team at three Atlanta locations and in many Atlanta area schools in their After-School Enrichment program. IBA's Debate Program offers a chance for students to learn and engage with current events through the activity of Debate. IBA practices Public
Forum debate. Ivy Bridge Academy's Debate Teams are nationally ranked and consistently score in the top 10% in tournaments. In 2017, an IBA Middle School student won 1st place in the Individual Speaker Award at the National Championships. IBA students have the opportunity to compete in multiple tournaments throughout the year including: Stanford University National Tournament, Georgetown University National Tournament, Harvard University National Tournament and the National Speech and Debate Tournament.