Speech & Debate for Home Schoolers
Home schoolers across the nation are hearing more and more about Speech and Debate. The National Christian Forensics and Communication Association (NCFCA) has been hosting the country’s only nationally recognized home school extracurricular tournament since 1996.
Those of you who have witnessed a tournament or debate scrimmage know of the great communication skills this program is instilling in students. When you see a 12-year-old debate a 17-year-old opponent or an aspiring teenager deliver an oratory on a pertinent social issue of our time—all to a room full of onlookers—you will see the obvious benefits of Speech and Debate.
But how do you get involved? Monument Publishing specializes in speech and debate curriculum and manuals that help the home-school parent, co-op leader, teacher and student. Browse through our store to get a good idea of what products are available. We want you to be equipped to take this program on. The following FAQs are to further your research.
There may be other questions you have. Who do you get in contact with? How much time does this activity take? What materials do you need? These are all good questions, and all have good answers.
- Who runs this program?
- How much time is involved with Speech & Debate?
- How is speech and debate different from other communications programs?
- Are there coaching resources for parents/co-op leaders?
- Are there camps available for this activity?
The National Christian Forensics & Communication Association (www.ncfca.org) was launched with the blessing of the HSLDA in 1998. Its vision, posted on its website, is:
The National Christian Forensics and Communications Association (NCFCA) believes that formal speech and debate can provide a means for home schooled students to learn and exercise analytical and oratorical skills, addressing life issues from a Biblical world view in a manner that glorifies God. To provide these opportunities to home schooled students, NCFCA shall facilitate qualifying tournaments throughout the country and the annual national tournament.
The NCFCA "league" has three responsibilities throughout the year. First, they host the national qualifying tournament in June. Second, they establish the rules for the following year. Third, they write the debate topics, called "resolutions," for the thousands of students affiliated with the NCFCA.
As for the people who teach the students, they are regular moms, dads and co-op teachers. This is where Monument Publishing has been publishing works for people like these, to assist them in their academic development.
How much time is involved with Speech & Debate?
Every activity proves: the more time you put into it, the more you get out. Debate and speech students have been known to pour every waking moment into their activity. However, many students have resorted to a tighter, more lenient schedule. All in all, a typical debate club will get together one evening per week, with another evening to set aside for individual practice and study.
Many parents are already bogged down with much to do in their home school. Considering yet another activity is like considering dental surgery: avoid it all costs. Be rest assured, I feel the same way all too often! However, the time speech and debate saves you will greatly outweigh the time spent. You see, very little time in speech and debate is wasted, dwindled away, dry time. Speakers are reading up on their topic, practicing constantly, memorizing and articulating their thinking skills. Debaters are researching daily news, developing arguments on the topic and training the mind for action. Virtually all the disciplines we wish to build our home schools around—writing, logic, speech, government, and many more—can be substituted or extended with Speech and Debate events.
How is speech and debate different from other communications programs?
The enthusiasm your students develop in NCFCA preparation is much greater than the best-written curriculum can provide. This is because the students will be in competition when they go to the tournaments. They are not simply writing a research paper or even preparing a speech; they are preparing to stand in front of an audience and think, speak and persuade a judge. Their enthusiasm to do a good job will quickly develop!
Are there coaching resources for parents/co-op leaders?
Yes, there are many resources available for your class or family. Jeub's Complete Guide to Speech & Debate we call our "flagship" publication because it gives a general view of all that is involved in speech and debatefor the typical home-school family. Its author, Chris Jeub, president of Training Minds Ministry who has been involved in the NCFCA since day one, also authors many of our curriculum resources and handbooks.
Are there camps available for this activity?
Students and coaches will find Training Minds Ministry Debate Camps an excellent resource for kicking the school year off. Training Minds Ministry is a 501(c)(3) educational nonprofit ministry that offers camps across the country for NCFCA participants and their parents. See their website (www.trainingminds.org/debatecamp) for more information.
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