engage your Grade 2-12 gifted child online with debate
critical thinking creativity collaboration
U.S. COACHING FOR GIFTED CHILDREN:
Learn directly from our Founder – two time U.S. State Debate Champion and Stanford University alumnus, Rajiv Kacholia. Read about our Founder's background and why he has brought this exciting social impact initiative for high achieving students in India, by clicking here.
Join gifted students already participating in Speech and Debate India's high energy, live online classes, practices, and small group competitive team debates! We leverage technology to deliver an exciting, personal experience. We limit debates to small groups and every child has a speaking role within debates to express their evidenced-based views. We have limited seats and this is a competitive activity - please review the FAQs below and sign-up to engage your child socially and intellectually.
Select up to 5 intensive two week Summer Course program tracks. Each track is Rs. 14,900+GST and includes 20 hours of live sessions over two weeks. Sign-up per your child's convenience and interests.
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Grades 4-12, Summer Course Program Tracks & Debate Topics:
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Healthcare & Disease [SOLD OUT]
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April 6th - April 17th
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Global Leadership [SOLD OUT]
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April 20th - May 1st
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Reimagining Our World [NEW]
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May 11th - May 22nd
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Environment & Climate Change [LIMITED SEATS]
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June 15th - June 26th
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Business & Entrepreneurship
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June 29th - July 10th
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Technology & Artificial Intelligence
- July 13th - July 24th
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Custom - Select 10 Sessions
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Example: Mondays or Tues/Wed or 1 week across multiple tracks. Inquire here.
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Grades 4-12, Divisions and Times:
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Elementary School (ES) - grades 4-5, Monday - Friday, daily, 4-6pm
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Middle School (MS) - grades 6-8, Monday - Friday, daily, 6-8pm
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High School (HS) - grades 9-12, Monday - Friday, daily, 6-8pm
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Grades 2-4, Young Explorers Course [LIMITED SEATS]
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Maggi versus Macaroni, Peanut Butter versus Jelly, and other debates in Food, Space Exploration, Sports, and Technology
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May 6th - June 2nd
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Watch a 3 minute video clip further below on this page
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Daily Monday - Friday, 20 sessions of 1 hour each, 2:45pm - 3:45pm
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Limited seats, Signup to reserve space for this special program. Seats will be allocated on a first come basis upon payment receipt - priced at Rs. 14,900 + GST
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Grades 2-4, Divisions and Times:
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Young Explorers (YE) - grades 2-4, Monday - Friday, daily 2:45-3:45pm (see details further below, under "Customized Courses")
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Our Unique Approach - This is not an elocution class, and we don't write or memorize essays. Debate is fun, competitive, and we help advanced kids expand how they think critically about topics beyond their grade level. Students gradually gain confidence to speak out, starting with smaller groups where they collaborate with teammates. Students research evidence and data under time pressure, and we look for structured position outlines to be prepared faster, enhancing writing speed, information processing, and decision making. Review our Benefits section for academic research on why there is no academic activity that can train young minds in the four C's as well as long-term participation in Debate. See FAQs at the bottom of this page for more details.
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Demo Courses - Apply Here to be waitlisted for 5, one hour demo sessions in May at Rs. 5,000 + GST.
Sample Video: Watch a video clip of some of our older students from a recent debate on postponing the Olympics due to Coronavirus:
Sample Video: Watch a video clip of some of our Young Explorer students debating fun topics like Amusement Parks, Homework, and Superheroes! See how they react when Mr. Kacholia teases them about not picking a winner...
PARENT REFERENCES:
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"We are really thankful to you and your team members for engaging children in this tough time. My child is really enjoying your session." - Parent, Ahemdabad.
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"The session was quite interactive. My child liked it." - Parent, Gurgaon.
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"Just pass on my message to Mr. Kacholia... It was really wonderful interaction. I was hearing the way he was analysing every aspect related to the child. Very impressive. It will also help the kids to analyse themselves." - Parent, Gurgaon.
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"Thanks for organising this. Kudos to you and team." - Parent, Mumbai.
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"Thank you so much! They're so excited about this class, and we couldn't have asked for a better teacher." - Parent, Mumbai.
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"This is so interesting. What an awesome idea to make a solid contribution. Such a great thing for a child!" - Parent, Mumbai
CUSTOMIZED COURSES:
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Young Explorers (Grades 2-4) Special Course - MAY 6th - JUNE 2nd
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Maggi versus Macaroni and more fun debates!
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May 6th - June 2nd, daily, Monday - Friday, 2:45pm to 3:45pm
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20, one hour daily sessions course for Rs. 14,900 + GST
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A special 4 week live Zoom online course for one hour per weekday starting Wednesday, May 6th to Tuesday June 2nd that introduces newly enrolling younger students to debate using our unique approach.
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Debate topics are fun and relatable to help students become comfortable with our format. Students in this special introductory program will discuss and debate these topics: Food, Space Exploration, Sports, and Technology.
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This course is designed to help younger kids comfortable and started through shorter one-hour sessions with instruction, time to collaborate with teams, and engage in debate games in a smaller group setting live online.
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Select the "Young Explorers May 6 - June 2" option on the sign-up form - Register here.
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SAT Test Prep, 1 on 1 custom 10 session course to raise your SAT English and Math scores. This private course is taught by a perfect scorer in SAT Math and near-perfect scorer in SAT English. Includes evaluation of a full diagnostic test plus customized plan for 10 hours of private, 1 on 1 Zoom instruction and practice test homework assignments for Rs. 30,000 + GST. Score at your peak potential. Inquire here.
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SAT Approach? We help students understand how the College Board structures and formulates problems. Every question on the SAT has one and only one correct answer. There are no "trick questions". We work personally with each student and customize learning to help shift how they approach the test and think like the SAT examination preparers. We also work to bridge gaps in areas that we identify after students take a diagnostic full SAT test. Before the first one hour of sessions begin, we build a custom plan for your success! We will never use your session time to administer SAT Tests. Instead, our approach is to use each hour of personal session time productively reviewing questions, answers, skill gaps and strategies and assigning homework to target growth in each subsequent class. Classes may be scheduled once or twice a week.
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Speech and Debate Personal Consultations - 1 on 1 customized sessions over Zoom. Inquire on WhatsApp.
Speech and Debate India
ES Student Reflections on Speech and Debate India
MS Reflections on Speech and Debate India!
Students Reflect on Speech and Debate India
MS Student Reflections on Speech and Debate India!
Speech & Debate Changes Lives
HS Reflections on Life Long Learning
Senator Elizabeth Warren Celebrates National Speech and Debate Education Day!
World Speech Day: Stephen Tobolowsky
SPEECH AND DEBATE INDIA STUDENT AND PARENT TESTIMONIALS IN THE NEWS:
Speech and Debate India leads the way with the launch of Debate Academy
"My experience at Speech and Debate was invaluable towards making me a better debater, and more importantly, a better thinker. Debating hones skills like critical thinking, research and speaking... The numerous fascinating intensive courses have been extremely useful..." Continue Reading
Speech and Debate India students advance Globally!
"Here are four of Speech and Debate India’s outstanding Middle School and High School debaters on their experience at the Georgetown University tournament. ..." Continue Reading
GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY FINALISTS - MORE BELOW FROM OUR SUPER-ACHIEVERS!
Aahana Khemani, Speech and Debate India (Middle School division), reflections: “The Georgetown University Debate was an absolutely amazing experience. My partner and I were completely astonished that we made it to the elimination rounds, and were extremely nervous! However, we won the first round and regained our confidence. We were over the moon after that round! Despite losing the second elimination round, I personally, learned a lot once I reflected back on the tournament. Debate wise, I learned that it’s important to have a consistent response for every argument the opposition brings on. Generally, I learned that alongside debating passionately, it’s the little fun moments that count!”
Ayraah Lodha, Speech and Debate India (Middle School division), reflections: “The Georgetown University debate tournament was amazing! I think we went up against some phenomenal teams, and it was a great learning experience. This was only my second debate tournament ever, so as the rounds started I was extremely nervous in my cases and thought I was going to mess up, as well as the tournaments time going on through the night, because of where we live as the rounds progressed I realized there was no need too, and if I just let lose and had fun that was what would be memorable. And this experience was! I think I got so engrossed in our cases and was extremely passionate about them, that they even after hours and hours of debating through the night, I still wanted to do more. Overall, this experience was something that taught me how to be passionate about debating and just have fun, and I could not have asked for it to go better.”
Prahlad Madhu, Speech and Debate India (High School division), reflections: “And as I shut down the laptop, sighed in relief, with a smile on my face, and told Shivani to get some rest, I knew it was all worth it. All the constant preparation, the phone calls, the talks about ice cream, and the jokes we cracked. It had helped us reach somewhere we couldn’t even imagine we’d be. On Sunday, after two rigorous days of debate at the Georgetown University tournament, I sat down and reflected on the mammoth treasure of learnings I had been subject to. The exposure I had basked in. and the journey I had undertaken.
For every single research paper, every single session courtesy of Mr. Rajiv, they’d culminated into what I could never dream of. As quite an outspoken ninth grader from the small town of Manipal, I could never dream of doing something like this. Learning about endogeneity, about pro-cyclical and counter-cyclical policies, about neoliberalism and neocolonialism. It all just felt like a fairy tale. Only it wasn’t.
In every fairy tale though, there are some fabulous characters. Some exceptional elements. And this tale was no short of those elements. From Shivani, who is arguably one of the greatest debaters I’ve seen, to Ms. Ritika, for just the constant motivation, and just filling the zoom call with pomp, the surplus of such characters. We had our amazing coach Mr. Rajiv, who was just there for Shivani and I irrespective of the time, always backing us, sometimes with great evidence cards, and other times with sheer words. Personally, I had with me two wonderful people. One in Mumbai, one of the most amazing teammates, and brilliant individuals, Shivani, and one who kept giving me coffee to even stay up for these debates, my loving dad. This was what made today possible.”
Shivani Shrotri, Speech and Debate India (High School division), reflections: “The Georgetown Spring Tournament was an incredible opportunity where I was able to not only display my debating skills, but learn from other top debaters around the world too. For example, I learned an interesting cross fire strategy from one of our opponents.
I think my favorite part of the experience was the adrenaline rush after each debate because it gave me a surge of positive energy and an increased confidence level. For someone who was unable to confidently and coherently express their thoughts just a little more than a year ago, I can certainly say that debate (especially tournaments such as these) has improved my self-esteem and my overall sense of identity. Therefore, although it took a lot of time and effort, the experience was completely worth it.
Furthermore, the support and assistance provided to us before and during the tournament by our debate academy really helped us learn from our mistakes and improve each round. Hence, any victory we had was a result of the unique pedagogical approach equipped by our coaches to train us.”
SELECTED PARENT TESTIMONIALS:
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"We are really thankful to you and your team members for engaging children in this tough time. My child is really enjoying your session." - Parent, Ahmedabad.
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"The session was quite interactive. My child liked it." - Parent, Gurgaon.
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"Just pass on my message to Mr. Kacholia... It was really wonderful interaction. I was hearing the way he was analyzing every aspect related to the child. Very impressive. It will also help the kids to analyze themselves." - Parent, Gurgaon.
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"Thanks for organizing this. Kudos to you and team." - Parent, Mumbai.
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"Thank you so much! They're so excited about this class, and we couldn't have asked for a better teacher." - Parent, Mumbai.
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"This is so interesting. What an awesome idea to make a solid contribution. Such a great thing for a child!" - Parent, Mumbai.
GLOBAL CHRONICLES STUDENT HIGHLIGHTS:
Speech and Debate attracts some of the most talented and accomplished students across India. We love their
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"After the round just jumping with my teammate and getting really excited for the next one."
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"When everyone got together in Global Chronicles we shared such funny stories from our rounds."
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"The experience was very thrilling along with the fact that it was an 'international' tournament. Additionally staying up at night was very fun too."
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"I also liked that we had the access to watch rounds from different divisions too."
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"The other team accidentally saying we should win"
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"To be really honest joining GC in the breaks and having one of our judges forget final focus existed :)"
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"The best part was logging into GC and talking about what happened in the round and just joking around."
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"My favorite memory was probably talking to the other teams after our round and helping each other with our cases and other things that we could work on."
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"We went up against a team from Vancouver and we had this amazing debate and at the end we all ended up laughing and having a good time."
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"I made friends during my last debate and now we are friends and follow each other on Instagram. I also am very thankful to all the other competitors from S&D for motivating me and talking to me during the breaks. It's a really fond memory of mine as they motivated me to push myself as much as I could. "
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"Debating with people from around the world straight from China to Canada was definitely the most memorable. Meeting judges and talking to them was also really enjoyable. Overall it was truly a unique and incredible experience!"
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"If I had to be totally honest my favorite was definitely joining GC right after our rounds only because I got a little view on how everyone else's debates were. The rounds itself were awesome too because all the teams we went against were so strong and their cases were magnificent so it helped us improve ours."
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"I had fun spectating the High School Rounds and i had got few points for our debate from it too and i had a great time with my teammate in the round and through the breaks"
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"Without a doubt, preparing the cases with my teammates, and of course the global chronicles meet after each debate."
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"Researching, interacting with a lot of experienced debaters, the competitiveness"
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"The entire experience was fun and enthralling."
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"I liked debating with people around the world."
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"Some of the best moments were spectating other rounds and admiring the quality of debate, exhilaration after winning, working on feedback after losing, the thrill of rebutting and knowing that the round is working in your favor and heartfelt pep talks from my coaches between rounds."
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"I absolutely loved the communication between teams and the level of debate even if I wasn't quite there yet. I loved how every team had their own story and adventure. Speech and Debate India pulled together to achieve something almost impossible within a few days, that's awesome. The fact that we were able to do that signifies that everyone here is a force. It was a different level of debate and a new experience in terms of attending."
MORE STUDENT HIGHLIGHTS AND TESTIMONIALS:
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Speech and Debate attracts some of the most talented and accomplished students across India. We love their energy, commitment, and pursuit of passion. Further below, read quotes highlighting their inspiring journey.
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Follow our students on https://www.instagram.com/speechdebateindia