Happy Mother - "I was a VP of Marketing before kids and know from first-hand experience how important the ability to be a confident public speaker is, especially to be successful in the business world.. I just didn't know how to get public speaking experience for my always-homeschooled twins. I was overjoyed when I discovered Atlantic Speech and Debate. The training my children have received has been excellent. My formerly shy child now relishes giving speeches in public and my scattered, but exuberant child, has learned to organize & communicate his thoughts effectively" ~ Shez S.
Current estimates suggest that 3 out of 4 American adults suffer from glossophobia (speech anxiety). By doing speech and debate in high school, you give your homeschooler confidence in public speaking.
This confidence translates into real world skills that we adults use all the time. Public speaking skills allow us to better deal with strangers, and helps us in job, college & scholarship interviews. We need these skills even in our private lives. We host a party for your parents' 50th wedding anniversary and are called upon to give a speech - our daughter's sweet sixteen party - her engagement party and even her wedding - all call for us to be confident public speakers.
Some may think that debate is the purview of politicians and lawyers, but everyone needs to be able to defend their views. You may be discussing political candidates, the environment, right to life, homeschooling, or buying vs renting a home. Solid debating skills will help you influence others to see things from a different perspective.
Debate trains you to think quickly and to cogently present your argument. Good debaters not only learn how to present their arguments; they learn how to quickly react to the opposition's stance.
From shrinking violet to superstar - "I've gained so much confidence that for my Girl Scout Silver Award, I taught a computer class to a bunch of girls and I presented to the entire troop and to parents. Before joining Atlantic Speech & Debate, I struggled to speak to groups of people"
Logan & Jonah ready to compete in the Chesapeake Challenge
Atlantic Speech & Debate members ready to compete in yet another successful tournament
Let Atlantic Speech & Debate help your homeschooler shine!
Atlantic Speech & Debate is a parent-led, speech & debate club for homeschoolers on the Southside of Hampton Roads. Club members come from Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Chesapeake and Suffolk. Our meetings are held on Thursday nights at Wave Leadership College in Virginia Beach. Please contact us for times and room numbers.
We offer training and coaching in the following forms of public speaking:
Eligibility: For NCFCA, students must be no younger than 12 and no older than 18 on September 1, of the school year. STOA accepts students who are 12 or older. Siblings between the ages of 6 and 12 may join our juniors club (the juniors club is only open to siblings of the main club).
Requirements: Parents must be present with their students at club meetings. To remain a member in good standing, you must compete in at least one competition per year.