How can you tell they’ve got it: Formal Debates?

If they’ve got it, you’ll see things like: Present an argument in a debate with a clear claim supported by evidence; Respond to an opposing point by summarising it fairly before offering a counterargument; Build on a previous speaker’s idea by extending, questioning, or challenging it constructively. Or just try it together: Has your child taken part in a school debate where they had to argue a position with evidence, respond to the other side's points, and keep to the rules of formal discussion?

English Speaking & Listening Ages 12–14

Formal Debates

Your child can argue a side in a debate with proof to back it up. They answer the other side fairly before they reply.

In curriculum terms

Participate in formal debates and structured discussions — presenting a position with supporting evidence, responding to others’ points, summarising and building on what has been said, and following rules of discussion

Ages are typical, not deadlines — follow your child’s pace. How to help at home →

How to tell they’ve got it

Tick these off as you see them — no test required.

Present an argument in a debate with a clear claim supported by evidence
Respond to an opposing point by summarising it fairly before offering a counterargument
Build on a previous speaker’s idea by extending, questioning, or challenging it constructively

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Try this together

Has your child taken part in a school debate where they had to argue a position with evidence, respond to the other side's points, and keep to the rules of formal discussion?

Where this sits on the map

Stuck here? Check the skills it builds on first. Confident? Here’s what it unlocks.

Builds on

Speaking Formally and Giving Presentationsages 11–14Formal debate requires confident public speaking skills first

Persuasive Writingages 11–14Debating requires skills in constructing arguments with evidence from argument writing

Formal Debatesthis skill · ages 12–14

Unlocks

Nothing on the map depends on this yet.

solid = must come firstdashed = helps

Curriculum alignment

Where this fits in the official school curriculum — our best automated guess, not yet checked by a person.

This skill sits beyond Year 6 in the Australian Curriculum, so no F–6 code is matched. It also sits beyond the NSW K–6 syllabuses. It also sits beyond Level 6 in the Victorian Curriculum.

Nearby on the map

Performing Scripts & Poetryages 11–14 Speaking Formally and Giving Presentationsages 11–14 Adapting Speech to Contextages 10–11 Building on Others in Discussionsages 10–11

All Speaking & Listening skills →