{"id":25569,"date":"2018-06-20T19:11:29","date_gmt":"2018-06-20T19:11:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.qls.gr\/?p=25569"},"modified":"2018-06-20T19:11:29","modified_gmt":"2018-06-20T19:11:29","slug":"1st-qls-pan-hellenic-debate-festival-april-10th-11th-2017-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.qls.gr\/en\/1st-qls-pan-hellenic-debate-festival-april-10th-11th-2017-3\/","title":{"rendered":"1st QLS Pan-Hellenic Debate Festival , April 10th & 11th 2017"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Debate Festival: Building Strong Oratory Skills in QLS Learners<\/b><\/p>\n

The first QLS Pan-Hellenic Online Debate Festival is now a reality.\u00a0 Primarily as educators, QLS schools are aware of the overwhelming academic research supporting the many benefits that accrue as a result of having learners engage in debate in the classroom.\u00a0 However, having learners compete against their counterparts from QLS schools throughout Greece in formal debates was an idea that started over a year ago with the creation of the QLS Debate Guide for Teachers.\u00a0 Without doubt, this first QLS Online Debate Festival was a unique experience for the learners and an unqualified success for all QLS schools involved.\u00a0 The result:\u00a0 twelve debates at B1, B2 and C1\/C2 level,\u00a0 twenty-four teams, seventy-two participants, and hundreds of learners involved in researching\u00a0 and assisting the speakers prepare for or against the motion: \u201cThis House Believes Bullies are Victims, too.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n

Congratulations to all the participants \u2013 the speakers, their support team, their teachers and panel of judges, among them representatives from the three largest publishers in Greece \u2013 Express, Burlington and MM.<\/p>\n

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Success does not lie in “results” ONLY, <\/b>but in “efforts”. <\/b><\/i>
\n“Being” <\/i><\/b>the best is not as important as “doing” <\/b>your best.<\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

From this side of the house we contend that everyone involved outdid himself and made QLS proud.<\/p>\n

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The Winners of The First Pan-Hellenic Online Debate Festival<\/b><\/p>\n

LEVEL B1:<\/b><\/p>\n

1ST<\/sup> Prize \u2013 GOLD\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Asimenia Featham Schools \u2013 Rethymno<\/p>\n

2ND<\/sup> Prize \u2013 SILVER\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Evrostoxos \u2013 Neo Hrakleio, Attikis<\/p>\n

3RD<\/sup> Prize \u2013 BRONZE\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Hatzistefanou Schools \u2013 Xanthi<\/p>\n

LEVEL B2:<\/b><\/p>\n

1ST<\/sup> Prize \u2013 GOLD\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Vassalou-Tsakalaki School \u2013 Hrakleio, Crete<\/p>\n

2ND<\/sup> Prize \u2013 SILVER\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Asimenia Featham Schools \u2013 Rethymno<\/p>\n

3RD<\/sup> Prize \u2013 BRONZE\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 G. Papas Schools \u2013 Alimos, Athens\u00a0\u00a0 .<\/p>\n

LEVEL C1\/C2:<\/b><\/p>\n

1ST<\/sup> Prize \u2013 GOLD\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Anna Leontariti School \u2013Lagonissi<\/p>\n

2ND<\/sup> Prize \u2013 SILVER\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Asimenia Featham Schools \u2013 Rethymno<\/p>\n

3RD<\/sup> Prize \u2013 BRONZE\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Vassalou-Tsakalaki School \u2013 Hrakleio, Crete<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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Develop Strong Presentation Skills<\/b><\/p>\n

An ability to express yourself confidently is a necessity for most professions. Having the ability to communicate with others effectively is extremely important, regardless of the field or industry.<\/p>\n

Debate provides experiences that are conducive to life-changing, cognitive, and presentation skills. In addition, debaters acquire unique educational benefits as they learn and polish skills far beyond what can be learnt in any classroom setting. It offers learners the opportunity to not only improve speaking ability, but also develop many of the qualities and skills that build successful speakers, such as the ability to use vocal inflections and intonations to emphasize important points and concepts.<\/p>\n

At the very least, debate helps learners see the power of using rational, logical arguments and compelling evidence to persuade the audience.\u00a0 It enables them to clarify their standpoint through utilizing rhetorical eloquence. It instills in debaters a great sense of poise and confidence, enhancing their self-esteem. It teaches them the skills of researching, organizing, and presenting information in a convincing manner.<\/p>\n

In general, the benefits of debate include:<\/p>\n

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  • Gaining multi-faceted knowledge that cuts across several disciplines, beyond the acquisition of L2.<\/li>\n
  • Providing an engaging, active, learner-centered activity.<\/li>\n
  • Acquiring higher order, critical thinking skills.<\/li>\n
  • Improving learners\u2019 ability to form balanced, informed arguments and use documented research to support facts.<\/li>\n
  • Enhancing the ability to structure and organize thoughts through analytical research and note-taking skills.<\/li>\n
  • Developing effective speech and delivery.<\/li>\n
  • Encouraging teamwork.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    What is more, debate teaches learners to set aside personal bias and to look at topics and resolutions objectively as arguments both for and against are prepared. With this mindset, learners research possible counter-arguments and construct their own counters to those arguments.\u00a0 It is important to have the ability to not only back up opinion with logic, reason, and statistics, but also be able to counter and address opposing views with evidence, not just emotional feelings; something ingrained in learners participating in debate.<\/p>\n

    Reality dictates that it\u2019s not feasible to prepare for every single possible question.\u00a0 Therefore it is essential to be able to think on the spot and to be mentally agile.\u00a0 Debate allows learners to become more comfortable at “coming up with ideas” on the spot. Regardless of the final outcome, all learners succeed in gaining essential 21st<\/sup> century skills.<\/p>\n

    As Winston Churchill once said, \u201cSuccess is not final, failure is not fatal:\u00a0 it is the courage to continue that counts.\u201d<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

    Georgia Papas<\/p>\n

    QLS Education Team Coordinator<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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