On October 24, 2026, the Tsinghua International School (THIS) Autumn English Speech and Debate Workshop was successfully held. From the opening ceremony in the morning to the four skill rotation stations and the mock debate rounds, from the secondary school group and primary school group to the parent group, throughout the day, sparks of critical thinking kept igniting across the campus, and the courage to express oneself quietly grew in the hearts of the children.
The event received strong support from FLTRP (Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press) and brought together professional guests from Tsinghua University, Peking University, the University of Hong Kong, Beijing Foreign Studies University, and the Experimental High School Attached to Beijing Normal University, as well as THIS teachers, student coaches, and parent volunteers. Students participating in the workshop included not only THIS students, but also students from Tsinghua University, as well as eight students from Dalian Huamei Bilingual School who came specially with two teachers.
From an Online Competition to an Autumn Workshop
The connection between THIS and FLTRP began with an online inter-school debate competition in February 2026. The children of the THIS English Debate Team participated as trainee judges and debaters, testing their skills in a real competition. In May, two students were selected for the FLTRP National English Debate Team, stepping onto a higher platform. In June, after the closing ceremony of the "FLTRP · Guocai Cup" National Finals, debate team coach Mr. Healy, debate team co-captain Ethan Zhou, parent volunteer Ethan's mother, and Mr. Hao Xiaowei of FLTRP jointly conceived and organized this autumn debate and speech workshop. From an online competition to a workshop, as connections and communication deepened, the seeds of critical thinking took root and sprouted through community collaboration.
Opening: In the Name of Critical Thinking, Meeting on an Autumn Day
The English Debate and Speech Workshop opened with remarks by Ms. Zhu Ying, Executive Principal of THIS, and Mr. Robinson Hao. Mr. Hao currently serves as Chair of the FLTRP National English Speech and Debate Team and Chair of the China Delegation to the World Universities Debating Championship (WUDC). His presence added professional academic weight to the event. The two opening guests encouraged students to learn to listen, to think, and to express themselves through debate and speech, to connect with one another through language, and to understand the world through critical thinking.
Four Skill Rotation Stations, Four Keys to Critical Thinking
In the morning, the sessions were organized as four rotation stations. Students rotated in groups, experiencing the core skills of debate and speech in a concentrated period.
Effective Speaking: From language organization to stage presence, student coaches led students in practicing how to make their expression clearer and more engaging.
Response and Rebuttal: Learning how to respond quickly and rebut effectively to opponents' arguments—the part that most tests one's skills in debate.
Flowing and Tracking the Debate: Learning to record arguments and track the thread of debate, so that ideas are not lost and arguments are well-organized.
Planning and Dynamic Changes: From pre-round planning to on-the-spot adaptation, helping students understand the importance of strategy and dynamic adjustment.
The four stations were closely linked, with both method explanations and immediate practice. Students continuously switched perspectives and accumulated skills as they rotated.
Group Practice, Each Showcasing Their Strengths
The afternoon activities were held separately for the secondary school group, primary school group, and parent group.
First, for the secondary school group, Mr. Healy and Mr. Hao each introduced the rules of the World Schools Debating Championships in detail. Subsequently, students were divided into 12 groups and held mock debates in six rooms. Student coaches and guest teachers served as judges, providing detailed and specific feedback to the debaters after the rounds. From constructing arguments to clashing, from flowing to reviewing, every speech on the competition floor witnessed the students' genuine growth.
Mr. St. Pierre and Mr. Healy, two THIS instructors, held a speech workshop for primary school students in Grades 1–3, leading speech practice respectively. The children bravely spoke up and expressed themselves confidently in a relaxed and fun atmosphere.
The parent group activities were equally wonderful. Ethan's mother from Grade 10 and Ameira's mother from Grade 8 introduced the debate team's growth journey to parents, shared how parents can support their children, and called on more parents to join the English debate parent volunteer team. Home and school walking together is the warmest support on the children's path of critical thinking.
Closing: Gratitude and Expectations
At the closing ceremony, Ms. Luo, Associate Head of Primary, delivered remarks, expressing gratitude to the guests, teachers, student coaches, and parent volunteers of this workshop, and hoping that students would bring the methods and courage gained from this day back to their daily learning and expression.
Special thanks to FLTRP for its strong support of this event, to the guest teachers for their dedicated involvement, to THIS teachers for their professional support, to the student coaches for their earnest guidance, and to every parent volunteer for their contributions and companionship.
Acknowledgments
Guests
- Robinson Hao, Chair of the FLTRP National English Speech and Debate Team, Chair of the China Delegation to the World Universities Debating Championship (WUDC)
- Leopold Lind, Tsinghua University
- Liang Shuran (Daniel Liang), University of Hong Kong / Peking University Yuanpei College
- Chu Shiyu (Jasmine Chu), Peking University
- Liu Zhihong (Victor Liu), Tsinghua University
- Chen Xiyuan (Ariana Chen), Beijing Foreign Studies University
- Fu Yuxi (Angela Fu), Experimental High School Attached to Beijing Normal University
THIS Instructors
- Mr. Craig Healy
- Mr. Rob St. Pierre
Student Coaches
- Ethan Zhou (Grade 10)
- Dora Pan (Grade 10)
- Sylvia Wu (Grade 9)
- Anna Masuchun (Grade 11)
Voices from the THIS Debate Community
1
Student Reflections
Sylvia Wu
The THIS workshop was a very fun and memorable experience. I really enjoyed teaching students about effective speaking and seeing them put what they learned into practice during their mock debates. Debate is often viewed as a competition where the goal is to win your opponents, but this workshop reminded me that beyond the competitive aspect, debate is more about learning from one another and growing together. What made this experience particularly meaningful was the supportive and encouraging environment created by the teachers, parents, and everyone who contributed to making the workshop possible. I think that is what makes our debate community so special because even when we stand on opposing sides of an argument, we are united by a shared passion for debate and a genuine desire to help one another grow as speakers and thinkers.
Eason Cui
I had a really great time at the debate workshop hosted by THIS. I think one of the things that makes our school special is that it gives us opportunities like this, which aren't something you see at every school. It's something I genuinely appreciate because we get to learn and experience things outside of our normal classes. What I particularly enjoyed was how the workshop balanced learning with applying the skills that we learned in the workshop. The students leading the sessions explained different debating techniques, shared their own experiences, and gave us advice that we could actually use. I found it especially helpful to learn from other students because hearing about their personal experiences made the lessons feel more relatable. It was also just really fun to meet new people, spend time with friends, and connect with others who share an interest in debating. Overall, I enjoyed both the learning and social aspects of the workshop, and I'm glad THIS provides us with opportunities like this.
Jerry Zhou
Over the course of the 2026 Speech and Debate Workshop, I have not only learned a lot about debate from our devoted teachers, but I have also made new friends, communicated, and met some influential people of the whole debate circle. This experience was extremely valuable for me, growing in my own school around my friends is an incredible experience I hope to remember for my whole life.
2
Guest Reflections
Robinson Hao
I am very happy to see the concerted efforts of the school, teachers, parents, the club, students, and trainers turn the conversation held at the FLTRP Building café after the closing ceremony of the June "FLTRP·Guocai Cup" National Finals into reality! I have great expectations for this club and community, and I hope this model can be replicated in more schools and regions, continuing to bring critical thinking to where it is needed!
I like the recently popular word "uplift" because it is so concrete! Once again, thank you to Tsinghua International School for its contribution to promoting critical thinking. See you at the next event!
Leopold Lind
It was such a pleasure to work with the students at Tsinghua International School. I was deeply impressed by how the younger students were unafraid to express themselves and step out of their comfort zone, even though they had little experience, how eager they were to learn, and how comfortably they adapted to new skill sets and my feedback. I loved the passion and sincerity the older students showed in wanting to improve their debating, and how eagerly they contributed to the sessions. I thought it was remarkable that the students from Dalian International School came all the way over just for this single event. I am highly confident that these students are going to become not just amazing speakers, but even better thinkers, and above all, the leaders of tomorrow.
3
THIS老师
Craig Healy
This past weekend marked we hosted the first ever Speech and Debate Workshop at THIS. Partnering with FLTRP and students from local universities, the all-day event provided workshops on both individual performance and group strategy. The event culminated with a mock debate round where students put into practice all that they had been learning that day. A special thanks to the workshop coaches, parents, THIS student leaders, FLTRP and Robinson and our new friends from Dalian who joined us for the event.
Rob St. Pierre
This was a great opportunity for primary students to get involved with Speech and Debate. Students were able to take part in fun speaking exercises and create awesome crafts. We were able to learn from professionals, as well as learn from students we can look up to in secondary. Overall, I think this was a fun way to bridge the two divisions, and it gives primary students a way to see what Speech and Debate is all about. I believe that this event was inspirational for our students, and they were very happy with how it all turned out.
4
家长感言
Ethan's Mother (Grade 10)
Looking back at my records, it has been exactly nine months since I met Mr. Hao Xiaowei of FLTRP.
On January 25 this year, I saw that the Shanghai Middle School BP League had moved online, so I tried adding Mr. Hao on WeChat and asked whether Beijing students could participate. At the time, I just wanted to secure one more practice opportunity for the club—I never imagined it would lead to such a deep connection.
In that competition, FLTRP's wholehearted support for the Shanghai middle school debate community made us quite envious, and it quietly planted an idea: could THIS one day be uplifted in the same way?
From February, when we were still strangers yet he patiently listened to the children's fledgling ideas, to May, when my child was selected for the FLTRP National Team and we gradually became acquainted, to June, when we worked with the coach to refine the ideas one by one. By October, the harvest season, everything finally came true—the workshop was held, and it even brought primary and secondary students together.
Meeting Mr. Leo was another serendipitous connection. We became acquainted at the entrance of the club's first offline competition because of Tsinghua. Since then, he has personally attended every event or helped us find resources. This time, he spent the entire day with the children: coaching, judging, and even leading games while waiting for pizza, turning a boring wait into part of the joy.
What moved us even more was that both Mr. Hao and Leo brought more professional teachers to support our workshop. Debate has never been just about competition—behind it stands an entire community willing to uplift children. Thank you to all the teachers who supported us; it is you who have let the seeds of critical thinking take root and sprout at THIS.
Claire's Mother (Grade 7)
The October 24 Debate Workshop concluded successfully. The content was rich and substantial, and both participating students and parents gained a great deal. During the event, students discussed in groups, polished debate ideas together, and exchanged thoughts. We invited external guests to share and provide guidance, and partner students from other schools also joined the exchange, bringing diverse perspectives.
The event included debate training and mock debate sessions. Everyone took turns practicing on stage and boldly showcased themselves. Parents in attendance observed carefully and exchanged insights with one another. I sincerely thank Mr. Healy, volunteer Juan, and all the enthusiastic parent volunteers for their dedicated efforts—from preliminary preparation to on-site coordination, they were earnest and responsible, ensuring the event ran smoothly.
This event not only honed the children's debating skills but also built a platform for home-school and inter-school exchange. Many parents also gained inspiration from observing and exchanging ideas. It was a complete success.
Ethan's Mother (Grade 2)
On Saturday afternoon, I took my child to the public speaking taster class designed by the school debate team specifically for primary school students, and it was fantastic! The taster class consisted of two workshops. Our 12 families were divided into two groups, held simultaneously in two classrooms, and then we swapped.
Our group first participated in the acrostic creative collage and public speaking workshop designed by Teacher Rob and student Anna. The children were thrilled to see the colorful craft materials and immediately immersed themselves in creation upon receiving their colored cards, happily finding their favorite materials and ultimately completing unique works of art. We parents also joined in the fun with the children, each making a postcard collage. Finally, the children took turns going on stage to share their works and ideas, and one mother also shared her postcard.
Next, we went to another classroom to participate in the workshop themed "How to Become an Excellent Speaker," carefully designed by Mr. Craig and Ms. Ariana. The two teachers used a little panda as a communication tool to interact with the children in a relaxed and happy way. Through a series of inspiring questions, humorous communication styles, and positive responses to the children, the two teachers guided the children from shallow to deep to understand questions such as "What qualities should a good speaker have," "How to become an excellent speaker," "What is logic," and "The key points and principles of speech." The teachers' questions were interlocking and progressive, turning these seemingly abstract or profound questions into interesting topics of inquiry. The children absorbed knowledge and found joy in a state of curiosity and eagerness.
Thank you to Parent Council Chair Juan for the planning and coordination, and to Craig, Rob, Ariana, and Anna for carefully designing the public speaking workshop for the younger students, helping them fall in love with English expression. This is not just a communication skill, but also an expansion of thinking, an exercise in social-emotional skills, and a great way to cultivate team awareness.
Critical thinking does not end at the competition floor, and expression does not end on the stage. Let us look forward to the next English Debate and Speech Workshop, continuing to meet through critical thinking and to know one another through expression.
