SPEECH & DEBATE
Meet the Mentors
WORDS LEELA KOENIG
T he ESU Speech and Debate team maintain a network of mentors across the country who deliver the majority of our training workshops in schools and universities . From the International Public Speaking Competition to DYV workshops for teachers or international delegations , this network of talented debaters and public speakers support the work of the ESU across the country .
In this new , regular , feature , dialogue will interview one of our mentors about their work with the ESU . In this issue , we met with Kate Brooks and Pete Doughton , two ESU mentors who helped for the entire week of the International Public Speaking Competition in May . What kind of work do you do , or have you done , for the ESU ? KB : I have been a DYV mentor for several years , teaching both debating and public speaking workshops to both primary and secondary school groups . I also helped to organised the LDC as a borough convenor for the past 3 years , and was on the ESU tour to Hong Kong in 2012 .
PD : I have been a mentor for nearly four years , and have been lucky enough to work in schools across the country – from a Catholic comprehensive in the North East to Public Schools in the South West and City Academies in the heart of London ’ s most troubled boroughs . I have also been involved with the Great Tudor and Great Shakespeare debates , helping to bring history to life through debating .
What is your favourite memory or experience you would like to share ?
KB : One of the best experiences I have had working for the ESU was working in an ARK primary school in Birmingham for 12 weeks . This was particularly because I got to know the students very well and was able to see their progress from being too shy to speak for more than 15 seconds to doing a full 3 minute speech in a debate in front of the entire school and their parents .
PD : The opportunity to witness a student who is shy and uncomfortable , or who is loud and sure of their opinion , begin to challenge their own wisdom and develop the skills of interaction and critique , gives one of the greatest senses of achievement , and is a buzz that I would recommend all try before they knock it .
Why do you think teaching debating and public speaking is important ?
KB : I think it ’ s important because being able to communicate persuasively is one of the most important skills in life . Debating enables you to think quicker , write better essays , get better marks in exams and do better overall in education . It also endows you with skills essential for a wide range of professions . Through debating issues , students are able to come to a greater understanding of the world around them and dispel common myths and prejudices .
PD : One of the greatest appeals to me of debating and the charitable work of the ESU is that the divisions of class , religion and nationality go out of the window as soon as we walk into the classroom . What I get the opportunity to offer through the ESU , thanks to the training and support of the Speech and Debate team , are both the tools for students to move forward , but also a fun and aspirational environment within which to hone those skills .
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