Showing 1-12 of 24 results

5 Solo Debate Drills To Practice At Home

2024-07-22
So, you want to dominate your next debate competition? While researching facts and crafting strong  arguments is crucial, successful debaters also hone their delivery and thinking skills. The good news? You  can level up your game from the comfort of your own home with these 5 solo debate drills:  Shadow …

Competitive Debate As An Ideal Arena for Deliberate Practice

2024-07-14
Competitive debate is an intellectual sport that perfectly embodies the principles of deliberate practice, making it an ideal field for rapid skill development. Anders Ericsson defines deliberate practice as a structured and focused method of skill enhancement characterised by being goal-oriented, having expert instruction, and immediate feedback. Debate also fits …

Anders Ericsson’s Deliberate Practice in Competitive Debate

2024-07-08
Anders Ericsson, a Swedish psychologist born in 1947, revolutionized our understanding of human expertise. His research showed that deliberate practice, rather than innate talent, is key to achieving high performance. In his influential 1993 paper, The Role of Deliberate Practice in the Acquisition of Expert Performance, Ericsson argued that what …

Celebrate the Lunar New Year with us at VDA!

2024-01-14
As the Year of the Dragon rolls in, the VDA team is happy to reflect upon a successful previous year – but also anticipate a prosperous new year. But as we gear up for this new zodiac year, what makes the year of the dragon so incredibly special? Represented by …

Fostering Intrinsic Motivation in Students: A Key to Lifelong Learning

2023-12-12
Intrinsic motivation is crucial for students’ effective learning and personal growth. Unlike extrinsic motivation, where students are driven by external rewards of a task such as grades or praise, intrinsic motivation arises from within students – fueled by an inherent interest or enjoyment in a particular subject itself, this internal …

Holiday Season VDA Winter Food Drive – Help Us Feed the Hungry

2023-12-06
This holiday season, Vancouver Debate Academy is taking a meaningful step towards community support with our Winter Food Drive. As part of our commitment to not only educate but also make a real world impact, we are channeling our energy and resources into a cause that touches the lives of …

Economic Thinking/Deliberative Dialogues

2023-12-03
As an educator I have dedicated my career to empowering young minds. I believe in nurturing debaters who are not just skilled in rhetoric but are also well-rounded, informed individuals capable of shaping their FUTURE. As the Director of Vancouver Debate Academy (VDA), I’ve identified a crucial gap in debate …
tips-for-tournament-travel

Tips for Tournament Travel

2022-11-15
Public Speaking Tips Tips for Tournament TravelBe prepared for international tournament travel with these five tips. by Stormee Massey on 9/16/2022 If you have spent your entire debate career online thus far, you may be asking yourself: How different is this going to be? What do I bring? What should …
flowing note-taking during debate vda in-round efficiency

Tips for In-Round Efficiency

2022-08-30
There are basic things you can do, and probably already do, to stay organized during a debate, such as flowing and using a timer. However, there are a variety of other things that you can add to your toolbox to build a better debate. Each of the following tips can …