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• Are programs live? Yes, lectures are live online, with real-time Q&A & interactive small group debates.

• What if I've never debated? No prior experience is needed - just an open mind and interest in learning.

• What is the time commitment? The Global Chronicles Tournament Series Prep Course meets on Saturdays and time commitment varies as some students who actively work to prepare for tournaments, while others join to learn from Mr. Kacholia's lectures and debate drills and pedagogy. The time commitment depends on each child's interest and time availability.

• What is the typical student profile? Our students come from regions across India and internationally in the U.S., Europe, Middle East, and Southeast Asia. One common thread is that our students are passionate, attend top schools and are gifted or advanced for their grade level.

• Is there homework? Many students will spend extra time ahead of debates to read and prepare. While this is optional, debate is competitive and helps stimulate self-interest in research and critical thinking. Our goal is to significantly deepen their understanding in each program track and build critical thinking and creativity skills, while gaining perspectives and self-motivated learning in each subject area.

• Is reading optional? We highly encourage students to read materials provided in class to help research topics, learn, and deepen their context. Debaters tend to be good readers.

• How do you provide feedback? Students have opportunities during classes to receive assistance, feedback, and ask questions. We track student performance during classes as well as in tournaments and share results from tournaments directly with students.

• How soon will students start debating? Each child progresses at a different pace. Some kids are more introverted, while others are ready earlier. As a parent, give your child space to build comfort with debate - they will know when they are ready. Some of our strongest debaters struggled for many months or took time to gradually gain confidence -  again, no prior experience needed.

• How do you encourage interaction? We leverage technology to promote participation in each live session. We encourage students both through written and verbal shares to communicate their ideas and questions either broadly or privately during lectures that can be responded to live. In breakout rooms, students get to work in smaller teams of 2 to 4 students to prepare for debates, where we check in to see if they have questions or need help preparing. Each child has a speaking role within structured debates and cross examination, and we moderate debates to coach and encourage collaboration among team members and sharing of responsibilities during cross-examination while helping to prepare their fellow team members.

• What does each topic cover? Each curriculum and debate topic is curated by our U.S. instructors and takes a deep dive into issues of global importance and leadership. Kids are introduced to extemporaneous speech, research, critical analysis, and debate skills while gaining insights into influences and impacts on government, business, leadership, economics, science, and the world around us. Watch videos to learn more or signup for the Free Membership to experience it first hand.

• What device/materials do I need? Laptop/tablet, internet connection for streaming video, notebook and pen.

• Which ages can join? Students from grades 5 to 12 in school year 2020-21 can join while space is available. Students in younger grades can join a waitlist for our next Young Explorers courses which meets for an hour daily over 20 days each month. 

• My child is shy, nervous, stammers - can they still enroll? A majority of our students are shy. Fear of public speaking is common in adults and kids. Shy kids can gradually gain confidence in a controlled environment and advance to become successful leaders. This takes time. We encourage shy kids with a safe small group environment to express their views from the comfort of their home. Debate does not require any memorization - we remove such obstacles, encouraging deeper thinking and the use of notes to gradually build confidence. 

• How is your approach different? Our courses are taught exclusively by instructors from Stanford University. Mr. Kacholia has developed a unique pedagogy to teach students important content through debate, while advancing their debate and life skills with a highly rigorous and evidence-based format of debate. We are also the official, exclusive partners of the world's largest organization in this field, the U.S. NSDA. We take a real-world approach, using games and challenges to engage in practice each session, while gradually imparting theory and encouraging self-reflection and engaging discussions to articulate evidence-based reasoning. We dive deep into each topic area, evaluating evidence from multiple perspectives. We challenge kids to move beyond their personal opinions to develop an appreciation for alternative viewpoints based on evidence. U.S. NSDA debate has been proven over 95+ years to foster balanced leadership and no other academic activity has the extent of research supporting the academic, college, and life benefits. Our approach is very different than traditional courses on public speaking and elocution. This is not an elocution class. We don't memorize speeches. Our format of debate is designed to extend gifted children.

• How do I register and pay? Sign-up here to join GC or GC+.  You'll automatically receive electronic payment instructions to your registered email. Once your payment has been received, you'll receive enrollment confirmation.
   

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