Many homeschool parents—especially in the Challenge years—feel intimidated by speech and debate. It’s unfamiliar territory and can seem overwhelming on top of other academic demands. But what if this skill is exactly what your student needs to grow into a confident communicator, thoughtful citizen, and bold ambassador for Truth?
As a longtime homeschool mom and Challenge Director, Jennifer Courtney has seen speech and debate shape students—including her own—in lasting ways. It’s not just an academic exercise; it’s preparation for the roles God is calling them to.
In this article, Jennifer shares why speech and debate matter in your homeschool, how they build leadership and Gospel-sharing skills, and how you can begin—even if it feels daunting at first.
Why Speech and Debate Are Important for Homeschool Students’ Future
I do not yet know what my children will be called to do in this life, nor do I know what my Challenge students will be called to do. But I do know this: all of these children will be called to two jobs. They will all be called upon to be citizen-leaders in our democracy and ministers of the Gospel.
Homeschool Speech and Debate in Action
As I write this article, I am in Austin, Texas, on the final day of the Texas state championships of the NCFCA (the national, homeschool, Christian speech and debate association). Recently, my oldest son began participating in team policy debate. As a parent, I was called upon to judge impromptu, extemporaneous, and interpretive speeches as well as Lincoln-Douglas and Team Policy debates.
Why Speech and Debate Are Important in Classical Education
This experience reinforced the speech I have given to my Challenge students and parents across my state. The message bears repeating—all children will be called to be citizen-leaders and to be ministers of the Gospel. Having this perspective sheds light on the importance of speech and debate. Our children must be able to think clearly (to reason well) and to articulate The Truth (to speak persuasively about it). Both of these skills require a great deal of practice.
Public Speaking for Homeschool Students Starts with Clear Thinking
In Classical Conversations, we teach the children to think clearly in several different ways:
- Formal logic is taught in Challenge B and again in Challenge II and III.
- Students are taught to expand their thinking by reading classic literature and discussing timeless ideals with their families, their peers, and their tutors.
- We teach students to pay close attention to details in math, science, and Latin.
In this way, we hope to train them not to be taken captive by the false reasoning of others (see Colossians 2:8).
Homeschool Rhetoric Training: Letting the Light Shine
However, it is not enough to learn to think and reason well if our students cannot share those lessons with others. Teaching them to think without training them to share The Truth with others would be the equivalent of hiding their light under a bushel.
As Jesus said, “Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house” (Matthew 5:15, NIV).
Our children are called upon to radiate the light that they have been given so that others are irresistibly drawn in.
Debate Benefits for Students in Challenge I–IV
If we can teach them to reason well by teaching logic, how can we teach them to speak well? We teach them to speak eloquently and persuasively by pursuing the classical art of rhetoric.
- In Challenge I, students practice the lost art of rhetoric by learning the principles of debate and by reading Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew
- In Challenge II-IV, students continue to practice speaking by reciting lines from Shakespeare, reading American plays aloud, delivering expository and impromptu speeches, and engaging in both Team Policy and Lincoln-Douglas debates.
Real-World Debate Topics Prepare Students for Civic Life
Just last week, my Challenge class debated this issue: “It is resolved that the United Nations should change the territorial status of Puerto Rico.” To complete this exercise well, my students had to research the history of Puerto Rico and define the rights and responsibilities of U.S. territories.
The affirmative teams had to find recent arguments to prove the benefits of Puerto Rico becoming a state. In contrast, the negative team had to argue that the status quo (Puerto Rico as a territory) is not a significant problem. In other words, they practiced becoming informed voters.
What are the 5 Canons of Rhetoric?
Overcoming Fear: How to Embrace Homeschool Speech and Debate
Many parents and tutors fear speech and debate because these subjects are unfamiliar and because they have so much to learn about other core subjects. I felt this way the first year I tutored Challenge III.
I have learned there are some simple and enjoyable ways to learn about speech and debate:
- Attend a debate in your local Challenge program.
- If you are just establishing a Challenge program, try to find an NCFCA or STOA tournament in your region (these are usually scheduled between January and May). NCFCA and STOA welcome parents who wish to observe and even judge speech and debate events. Local NCFCA or STOA club instructors are often willing to come and present a brief overview of speech and debate events to your Challenge class.
- Finally, take a deep breath and dive in with your class. All of you will learn much by simply trying it.
Speech and Debate Build the Two Most Important Jobs
To summarize, our students must practice the skills of speech and debate in order to fulfill their two inevitable roles—citizen-leaders in a democracy and ministers of the Gospel.
In order to become responsible voters, students must be trained to research, record, and relate. In other words, they must research issues in order to make informed voting decisions. They must be able to record their findings in an organized way in order to shape them into a logical argument. Finally, they must be able to relate their ideas to others in order to be leaders.
In order to become effective ministers of the Gospel, our students must engage these same skills. They must search Scripture to refine answers to the questions of our times (research). They must memorize Scripture and form logical arguments in defense of their faith (record). Finally, they must share The Truth with others (relate).
Family Learning- The 5 Canons of Rhetoric
Key Takeaways for Homeschool Speech and Debate
Speech and Debate Prepare Students for Life’s Two Main Callings
- All students will be called to be citizen-leaders and ministers of the Gospel.
- These roles require the ability to reason clearly and communicate truth persuasively.
Homeschool Speech and Debate Builds Thinking and Speaking Skills
- Classical Conversations trains students through logic, literature, and rhetoric across Challenge levels.
- Debate and public speaking help students research, organize, and express ideas
Parents Can Support Speech and Debate Without Being Experts
- Attend a local Challenge debate or NCFCA tournament to learn alongside your student.
- Lean into the process—practice and participation are the best teachers.
Expect Great Things
Have high expectations for yourself and your students. As Thomas Edison said, “If we did the things we are capable of, we would astound ourselves.” With God’s help, we can rise to the challenge—equipping our children not only to think clearly and speak boldly but also to shine the light of truth in a world that desperately needs it.
Learn more about the Challenge program and how the debate strand can shape your student into a confident communicator and faithful leader.
Need more debate help? Check out these online resources:
- 14 Benefits of a Homeschool Debate Curriculum
- A Blueprint to Restore the Art of Debate
- Finding Harmony in the Debate Strand
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