There is no other type of social activity where the participant acquires so many skills as the debate club.

The debate helps people succeed in life because it imparts a number of necessary skills that no one else imparts - not in the Israeli education system - from kindergarten to university - not in the IDF, not in academia, and not in the labor market. In this article we will share the tools that the debate club Gives to the academic field, the career field, and the field of self-confidence and interpersonal relationship.

Debate reduces audience fear

The problem with self-criticism is that many suffer from feeling bad without having an accurate picture of what exactly they are doing bad. The feedback after a debate answers this question honestly and openly, even if sometimes brutally. In addition, the feedback also rates the speakers in the discussion and explains to each one what he should have done differently. There are many for whom this feedback helps them to improve in the area of capabilities and also to improve in the area of security. (For those for whom this process is too difficult, I follow through Special workshops for stage fright with a more relaxed accompaniment).

Debate Club teaches how to enjoy from speaking in front of an audience

Above and beyond all the advantages in the usual courses for overcoming fear of the public, the debate gives the ability Enjoy - yes, really enjoy from speaking in front of an audience.
The explanation for this is quite complex, but you have to come to our monthly showcase meetings, and see how course students, who only a few weeks ago suffered from acute audience anxiety, manage to make the transition within an hour and not just enjoy speaking in front of an audience, but really 'tear up the stage'.

This has to do with the fact that the debate gives legitimacy to being angry, angry, and coming down on others, and at the same time legitimizing others to get angry at you, to be angry at you and come down on you - and all in a sporting way: shaking hands before, clapping at the end - and in the middle they enter in the father of the father...​​

Debate gives skills for career advancement

World experience shows that debaters reach significant achievements in academia and politics (for example, 75% members of Congress were debaters, as well as the best Israeli explainers - Abba Ibn and Bibi Netanyahu). Beyond that, debating promotes women to a great extent (who are often afraid to speak in front of an audience), and as you can see, 50% of the women who served as heads of government in the world were debaters in the past (Margaret Thatcher, Benazir Bhutto for example).

Another possible reason for the success of debaters in politics is that this activity requires the speaker to argue for or against a certain position, regardless of his personal position. This necessity encourages openness to different opinions and creates a discussion culture of the kind that is very much needed in Israel. For this purpose, the rules of the debate require respect for the opponent, such as a ban on personal attacks or interrupting speeches. Each participant has the right to present 2 intermediate calls to the opposing team, which strengthens the ability to think "on your feet" and react quickly.

The real challenge in debate is the ability to express an opinion and bring arguments about a very wide range of issues - from religion and the state, to allowing euthanasia or the death penalty, to complex technical issues. In order to succeed, students acquire rhetorical and logical tools, as well as develop interest and acquire extensive general knowledge.

In the end, it is important to emphasize that even students who do not actually participate in the debate, take part in the activity, since they must judge the debate and evaluate it. As a result, the judges develop the ability to analyze and evaluate speeches and arguments, as well as the ability to listen critically, and identify "rhetorical manipulations" and demagoguery. As part of participating in the workshop, each student will play both roles, in order to develop all types of skills.

Join the debate club