How Much Time Should Students Allocate?

1. Speech and Debate programs are intensive and we recommend reserving 30 to 60 minutes each week during the program to work on assignments and prepare for practice speeches and debates. These are suggested guidelines and can be adjusted depending on the student's time and organization. The more time a student devotes to improving their skills, practicing, researching, reading, and preparing, the more they will benefit and be able to contribute to class discussion. We hope that with the nature of game-based activities, and friendly challenges, students will develop self-motivation to succeed and find their own balance of time spent developing their skill base and having fun. Our most experienced students work hard, attend late sessions, and participate in tournaments in international time zones and find the experience exhilarating!

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2. We will also periodically ask Students to think about how they can make real-life connections to what they are learning. For example, understanding the give and take during real-world negotiations to help connect to concepts in the context of extemporaneous speech and debate.

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3. Students should try to complete assignments on time, to reinforce and monitor learning. Students will have flexibility in case they need to plan around other commitments. If they miss a session, they should email support@speechdebateindia.com for help catching up and to prepare for the next session.

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How Is Speech and Debate Different Than...?

4. There are several wonderful academic activities prevalent in India that have their own merits. Some are focused within school, or a small league of schools at a local level, others have a regional or broader focus. NSDA events are a globally recognized series of competitions with 100 years of history, and internationally accepted standards, topics, and recognition. Students will be competing at a Regional India level with a chance to compete at a National All-India level even in the first year of our program. Speech and Debate is unique - it is a Journey, not a short-term activity. Students are not limited by levels or one-time pursuits. Students can continue through divisions and from grade years 3rd through 12th, and either master a particular event, or branch out and experiment with other events to round out and advance other interests. No other extracurricular is academically proven in study after study to develop such a wide range of skills, and have such a quantifiable impact, especially in a fun-filled, exciting game-based competitive format that kids tend to naturally love. No other activity matches Speech and Debates' influence on improving School Performance through Middle School and HIgh School, as well as with College Admissions as proven again in multiple research studies. Moreover, our courses and unique pedagogy will help students participate in a wide range of Speech and Debate formats at the local, regional, national, and international level and our students have a strong record of achieving the highest awards and honors at each level and format.

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5. Some activities tend to be geared towards a particular personality - extroverts vs introverts; others tend to be STEM heavy or oriented towards students with interests in public policy or economics or the humanities. Speech and Debate uniquely offers a wide range of drills, activities, and project formats. There are exciting opportunities across a range of personalities as well as subject interests, whether STEM, history, economics, psychology, English, drama, philosophy, or other other humanities and arts subjects. Each student can pursue and extend their passions while developing their unique Voice through Public Speaking and Debate.

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6. NSDA's Competitive Line of Modern Speech and Debate events have never previously been available in India. This is a unique opportunity to learn the fundamentals of Speech and Debate world's most successful academic program. The NSDA hosts the world's largest academic competition each year. We have a wide range of NSDA events that Students can remain engaged in as they grow their skills and begin to specialize over multiple years. By nature, these events are generally much more intense, adrenaline-filled, rigorous and competitive. Speech and Debate is the number one academic journey for success as proven across numerous research studies. Below are some recommended links with videos, descriptions, advocacy letters from Educators (including Heads of Schools and School Principals), and research studies within our website where you can learn much more. If you have other questions, write to us at support@speechdebateindia.com :

Wide Range of Competitive Events

Benefits and Academic Research Studies

More Research and Advocacy Links

Recommendations from Principals and Heads of Schools

 

7. Many academic activities involve what feels like cumbersome work, repetition, or unclear applications to the real world that can sometimes be challenging for students to relate to or become motivated to learn. Speech and Debate instead lends itself to fun and excitement. Our unique curriculum involves gamified learning and includes playing games, engaging in drills, preparing for assignments that are challenges and mini-collaborative projects and competitions. Many unit lesson plans are introduced in the form of a game, mock scenarios, real-life issues and more to help keep students engaged, while developing valuable life-changing skills. Learning  should be fun - and when it is, kids learn much more!

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8. With Championship winning coaching from the United States, students uniquely have an opportunity to learn from the best, practice concepts through assignments, practice for classroom discussions and games, and gain valuable insights to help improve their understanding and skill development.

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9. Regional/National/International Tournaments provide valuable additional opportunities for Students to collaborate and apply their learning in a rigorous competitive format with students from across India and other countries with a chance for awards and recognition.

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TERMS AND CONDITIONS

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Getting Started

1. Classes are held online and most tournaments are also held online using Zoom and other web-based platforms for students to actively engage. The online format allows students to gain valuable experience without the need for time intensive and often costly travel. The online format also brings together students together with a diverse community to learn from, engage with, and often forming deep and lasting friendships.

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2. Students should have access to either a laptop, desktop computer, tablet, or mobile smart phone for lessons at home, with the ability to record short home videos for assignments using either a laptop or their own/parent's mobile smart phone, along with broadband Internet connectivity to stream and upload videos. We highly recommend the use of a laptop or desktop to attend all online class sessions. For tournaments, we recommend use of a laptop or desktop with a stable high-speed internet connection, along with a mobile phone to use for recording time and collaborating with teammates.

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3. For all course sessions, workshops, practice rounds, and tournaments, students are advised to bring a laptop, notebook, pens of at least two different colors (preferably one black/blue pen and one red pen), a water bottle, and snacks.

 

4. Students are expected to always keep their video cameras on at all times during class sessions online. Parents should notify in advance on support@speechdebateindia.com if there are any issues either with their child's computer system/camera or with their internet connection.

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5. Dress code during online sessions is casual. Dress code at Tournaments is semi-formal to formal - boys should wear collared full sleeve shirts or preferably ties and suits / jackets, girls should wear formals or business suits.

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6. Parents / students should inform Speech Debate India in advance of any absences and students should reach out to help get caught up so that they are prepared for the next session.

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Admissions and Billing

7. Speech and Debate India Pvt. Ltd. (also referred to as "Speech & Debate India", "Speech and Debate India", "speechdebateindia.com", "Speech Debate India", "SDI" etc) does not charge an application fee. Fees are charged for online courses and for tournaments. We will consider applications on a time-stamped basis – the earlier the application is submitted, the higher priority it will receive as we review applications on an ongoing rolling admissions basis and will place applications automatically on our waitlist once spots for a particular course and division are filled to our capacity limitations. We apologize in advance to students and families whom we cannot accommodate. All admissions decisions are final and cannot be appealed. Admission and fees are only for the current term, after which the child will need to be re-enrolled for future programs and terms. While repeat students are given priority for continued admissions, this is contingent upon responsible behavior, ethical conduct, and constructive class participation. We do not guarantee the availability of future class spots in any case.

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8. Applications will be reviewed on an equal opportunity basis and independent of gender, ethnicity and social background. Students are generally from top schools and are advanced/gifted for their grade level. We collect certain information for documentation and internal purposes and will maintain this confidentially with the exception of marketing and promotional use as outlined below and unless we are required to release it by law. We aim for the brightest children from across India to have their Voices heard and to help them develop into leaders who will shape our future across a wide range of professions, causes, and interests. If you have specific questions about a disability or impairment please email us describing the circumstance at support@speechdebateindia.com 

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9. We are not seeking a particular type of student interest or background. A common thread is that most of our students attend top schools and typically outperform academically. What's most important to us, is that the student genuinely be excited to develop their skills in a multi-year program filled with fun, hard work, and rigorous competition. Challenges, speech and debate games, and projects will require a combination of skills, concentration, perseverance, thought, and commitment. Benefits can only be gained if students are committed to putting in their best. No prior background or experience is required or expected – your child's passion, an open mind, and desire to advance are what we need. As in most speech and debate topics, there are typically no single right or wrong answers, and we look to bring together a broad range of perspectives, goals and interests. We ask that students keep an open mind and respect the views of other students and refrain from any inappropriate behavior in class. We cannot and do not guarantee any specific results and can only point to historical studies of benefits attained by other students in related programs, but those circumstances may vary and accordingly results can vary.

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10. Electronic billing instructions are provided upon submission of an application form on this website. For GC and GC+ classes, please wait for a confirmation of admission prior to making full payment. For FC, FC+, and EC classes, payment can be made per the instructions provided to secure the seat. Bills must be paid in full for the selected term. For any other queries related to admissions and billing, write to us at support@speechdebateindia.com explaining your question in detail.

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11. All rates are before applicable GST taxes, currently at 18.0%. All fees are for program participation and electronic materials provided as part of the curriculum, and do not include any electronic hardware, transportation, accommodations, food or drinks, or any other expenses which are the sole responsibility of students/families. All international rates are provided in US Dollars, inclusive of applicable third party and other charges.

 

 

Travel & Logistics

12. For workshops and tournaments, any travel, accommodations, logistics, etc. and attendance on time is the responsibility of the Student's family. We reserve the right to restrict and deny admission once a workshop has started. Please plan ahead to account for traffic and other variables as late entry in certain sessions will not be permitted due to class disruption and potential to slow the class down if certain concepts are missed, and to respect the time of other students and parents. 

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13. Regional workshops and tournaments dates will be announced and are subject to change and/or cancellation in the event of unforeseeable circumstances, and will not be reimbursed.

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14. Residents of other areas who would like to compete in a Regional Workshop or Tournament are welcome to attend, at their own cost, to one of the Regional locations.

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15. Parents/guardians/helpers/drivers will need to drop off students at Regional Workshops & Tournament Schools and respect and follow security protocols outlined by host schools or other locations providing space for activities. If a registered parent is not picking up/dropping off a child, they must inform in advance to indicate an alternative parent/guardian/helper/driver responsible for the student's safety and collection.

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16. In-person workshops and tournaments missed cannot be made up and will not be refunded.​

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Dietary/Health Restrictions

17. If your child has any health conditions, allergies or may need medical support, please indicate this on the application form for any live event or tournament. We will be unable to control the snacks and drinks that other children are bringing. For serious medical conditions, please notify us in advance and check during registration as we may be unable to accommodate enrollment.

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Qualifying for Regional and India Nationals and Global Tournaments in the United States and Other Countries

18. Qualifications to Speech Debate India Tournaments are per individual tournament guidelines and rules. All decisions are at Speech Debate India's sole discretion.​ Qualifications to International and other tournaments are per individual tournament guidelines and rules, as well as the rules set by Speech Debate India and modified from time to time at its sole discretion.

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19. Students typically will have the option for most tournaments to either suggest a partner preference and/or to be placed in the general partner pool. The general partner pool is used to determine which students are seeking a partner. Speech Debate India uses the general partner pool to help make suggestions and recommendations on potential pairings for one or more tournaments. Partner decisions are solely the responsibility of students and Speech Debate India does not take any responsibility for disputes between partners or between potential partners. Students and their parents should be mindful and respectful towards partners, potential partners, and other parents. Ultimately, we hope that students are able to get along and if they are not able to with a particular colleague, that they can try to seek changes in partnerships in future events and should try to maintain a positive, collaborative attitude to make the most of their experience and focus on learning rather than optimizing a short-term win/loss record. It is practically very difficult to have even partnerships and therefore in most circumstances each student may have certain strengths and weaknesses that they bring to a team and teammates should try to help one another succeed and learn.

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Additional Important Terms & Conditions
20. Speech & Debate India reserves the right to remove any Student or Family who does not comply with the ethics, rules, respectful communication, and/or other standards set forth by the program and modified from time to time.

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21. Partial or full refunds are not available under any circumstances. Classes may be postponed, rescheduled, canceled, substituted, or modified at the sole discretion of Speech and Debate India. Speech and Debate India cannot take any responsibility for individual student attendance as it is the student's responsibility to diligently attend and participate in classes. Speech and Debate India also does not take any responsibility for issues arising out of internet connectivity or the use of other third party software or services such as the use of applications by Google, Zoom, Microsoft, Apple, or other companies and providers.

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22. Students must refrain from inappropriate behavior, illegal acts, and language, treat others with respect, and take responsibility for keeping abreast of updates and managing their schedules, class participation and other work independently. Offenders may be subject to probation or removal from the program with no recourse. Students found cheating, using others' work or not following guidelines will also be subject to removal from the program. Students and Parents are expected to speak and write courteously to our staff and any member of our team as well as to other students at all times. Parents are expected to pass on information to students, who need to take full responsibility for independently managing their own course work and other related matters. Parents are welcome to assist through discussions outside of class, but under no circumstances should Parents write any portion of student work or be present in the same room as the student during online sessions including classes and tournaments. We reserve full legal rights to take any appropriate action in the event prior during or after courses or tournaments in response to any unethical behavior, harassment of our staff, or public or private slander by parents or students through phone, text message, email, online, on social media, or in any other form, at our full discretion. At the sole discretion of Speech and Debate India, Students and/or Parents acting in an inappropriate, aggressive or offensive manner to any other families, students, or team member of Speech and Debate India are liable for removal from our programs and disqualification from any tournaments without recourse.

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23. Speech and Debate India owns full rights to its own materials, all materials and forms submitted through websites, forms, social media applications, or taken or recorded and photographed during class and tournament sessions, all intellectual property developed, the use of licensed materials from the US NSDA, and reserves full rights to use, display, reproduce, market and promote through its emails, websites, Social Media platforms including YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, email etc, and by other electronic or physical means, such as directly, indirectly, through press announcements, media articles and broadcasts, live events such as through Zoom, Facebook Live, Youtube Live etc, or any other means at the sole discretion of Speech and Debate India domestically and internationally, all materials submitted by or produced by students electronically and physically, or during workshops and tournaments, and reserves the rights to use of all photos, videos, written and communicated submissions, work product, competitions and performances of students for dissemination by any means to display student work, inform parents/guardians of student progress, promote Speech and Debate India, and for other promotional reasons directly or indirectly through media such as newspapers, television, radio, magazines, blogs, online or offline publications, podcasts, live events, pre-recorded events, and any other physical or electronic means at the sole discretion of Speech and Debate India. Parents give full consent and discretion in perpetuity to Speech and Debate India as a condition of enrolling their child at any time in any course, program, workshop, online session, tournament etc. Parents agree to the use of materials per the discretion of Speech and Debate India and consent to terms directly by Speech & Debate India as well as terms and data collection and use policies as subjected by various third party sites and collaboration partners including Google, G Suite for Education, Facebook, Schoology, Zoom, and third party learning management system providers and websites utilized in the course of training materials, assignments and other class work. Participation in any program of Speech & Debate India constitutes permission by parents for Speech & Debate India to create/maintain various accounts including a G Suite for Education account for their child and for Google and other service providers to collect, use, and disclose information about my child per the policies of Google and other service providers available on their respective sites. Sharing of our materials, videos, lesson plans, and other educational content with other students/families not enrolled in the program is strictly prohibited and liable to penalties and compensatory damages, and removal from the program.

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24. Speech & Debate India reserves the right make modifications in the program, schedule, billing, faculty, facilities, locations, logistics, curriculum, and any other aspects as needed for the operations of the program, as well as to accommodate other work and personal commitments and travel of its founder and faculty members, and from other circumstances outside its control, and will apply its best efforts as practical in its sole discretion to make adjustments to maintain the maximum range of benefits possible and overall intent to help its students.

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25. All rights reserved by Speech and Debate India Private Limited and its affiliates and owners.