The International Speech and Debate Academy (ISDA) offers a progressive pathway that trains students to think critically, communicate persuasively, and compete with confidence. Courses are designed for middle and high school students seeking to build skills or prepare for elite competition on the global Tournament of Champions (TOC) circuit. Courses are made in consultation with the Harvard Debate Council to ensure students receive a world-class speech & debate education.
All ISDA programs follow an 7-week session model, meeting once weekly for 1.5 hours. Sessions
are offered three times per year: Fall (October–November), Winter (January–February), and
Spring (March–April).
Tuition:
Group Classes (7 weeks): $700 per session
1:1 Coaching: $150/hour
Small Group Coaching:
2 students – $200/hour total ($100 each)
3 students – $250/hour total (~$83 each)
4 students – $300/hour total ($75 each)
An introduction to confident, clear communication. Students learn speech structure, audience awareness, and delivery fundamentals through short, prepared speeches and impromptu speaking exercises. No prior experience required.
Builds on foundational skills with a focus on persuasion, storytelling, and rhetorical technique. Students refine style, voice, and presence while learning to adapt their speaking to different audiences and purposes.
Introduces students to the core building blocks of argumentation, including claims, warrants, impacts, and basic rebuttal. Students are also introduced to the World Schools Debate format, learning how structured debates function in a supportive, skills-focused environment.
Provides in-depth training in World Schools Debate. Students develop case construction, motion analysis, rebuttal strategy, comparative weighing, and speaker roles while participating in guided practice debates and drills.
Designed for students preparing for tournament competition. This advanced course focuses on tournament preparation, including high-level strategy, judge adaptation, advanced rebuttal and collapse techniques, and intensive drills, to prepare students for competition.
1:1 and Small Group Coaching
Personalized coaching tailored to specific goals—ideal for tournament prep, advanced skill-building, or event specialization.
Available for: Public Speaking, Speech, World Schools, Public Forum, Policy
Schedule: Flexible, by appointment