Ensuring our young people enter the workforce equipped with the necessary skills to meet the challenges of the 21st century is one of the most important challenges facing schools today. 

One way that schools are embracing the challenge is by using the classroom to develop skills in what is known as “21st Century Learning.” Alongside digital literacy, IT skills and STEM education, today’s educators are focussed on activities and projects that promote important skills such as critical and creative thinking, problem-solving and strong communication and collaboration skills. 

While classroom learning has adapted to these challenges by reframing the way lessons are conducted, there are many ways that schools can nurture these skills in their students. At Ivanhoe Girls’ Grammar School, co-curricular activities such as the Public Speaking and Debating program offer a valuable opportunity to develop these important skills from an early age. 

Mrs Helen Moore, Deputy Head of Junior School, is a passionate advocate for the importance of communication skills. “Public speaking is one of the most important skills for this era that we live in.” 

Moore oversees the annual Junior School Public Speaking Festival, where students from Year 2- Year 6 take part in writing and presenting a speech to their classmates. Topics can range from balloons and pets to environmental issues and even illegal sweatshops, and the winners from each year level participate in a formal assembly to present their talks in front of the whole Junior School. The Public Speaking Festival encourages students to develop confidence in their own ideas and their own voices in a situation that many adults would find challenging.  

“If you can’t communicate effectively then it doesn’t matter how clever you are, it’s no use,” explains Mrs Moore. 

Debating offers another way for students to develop their creative and critical thinking, work in a collaborative environment and hone essential communication skills at the same time. 

Students must research the given topic and analyse not only their own argument, but also those the opposition may present. “Getting the information, using evidence, working out ways to communicate their information… it's a very nicely structured form of teaching for developing all those skills,” says Mrs Moore. 

In debating, students have to support one another. "Teamwork is imperative to successful debates, both in preparation and practise," explains Ms Kylie Innocenzi, DAV (Debating Association of Victoria) Coordinator for the Senior School. "You need to actively listen to your teammates and implement their ideas and feedback into your arguments."

It's hard to do when you only have a couple of minutes to think, and you're debating in front of an audience.

"Debating can improve communication, listening and note-taking skills and increase self-confidence," she says "all which can be transferred into the classroom."

Critical thinking skills also get a workout. "When debating, you need to think on your feet, analyse other points of view and provide logical arguments that demonstrate your understanding of the topic."

It's not just about having a solid argument though. Debaters are marked on their matter, manner, and their method, so aspects such as eye contact and voice projection are rated as much as the content of the argument. "These skills go a long way in preparing students for other public speaking, such as the Year 12 English Oral Exams." Kylie says.

If you would like to explore more about debating and other co-curricular activities offered at Ivanhoe Girls’, please click here.