The summer speech and debate program is designed to help students going into grades 6-10 prepare for competitive public forum, Lincoln-Douglas and congressional debate, or speech events supported by the National Speech and Debate Association.
Speech & Debate
Students going into grades 6-10 will learn the core argumentative, public speaking and research skills to equip them for tournament success in:
- Exploring Speech & Debate
- Public forum debate
- Lincoln-Douglas debate
- Congressional debate
- Speech
Students will learn invaluable academic skills, as critical thinking and organized speeches are crucial to all fields. All students will receive instruction in their preferred event with an emphasis on practical application and frequent practice. A typical day will include direct instruction, guided writing practice, and practice rounds or drills. We anticipate that students will enter the program with varying levels of experience and the teachers will tailor lessons and breakout groups accordingly.
This session will qualify Harker students to skip the Introduction to Speech and Debate class and register for Intermediate Speech and Debate in grade 9.
Courses & Dates
July 20-31, 2026 | 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Mon.-Fri.
All Students: Grades 6-10 | Fee: $2,200 (lunch included)
All students will receive instruction in their preferred event with an emphasis on practical application and frequent practice. A typical day will include some direct instruction, speaking drills, guided writing practice and practice rounds. We anticipate that students will enter the program with varying levels of experience and the teachers will tailor lessons and breakout groups accordingly.
Exploring Speech & Debate
Is your student curious about speech and debate but unsure where to begin? This introductory course offers a comprehensive overview of Harker's main speech and debate formats: Lincoln-Douglas, Public Forum, Congressional, and individual speech events. Students will learn the fundamentals of each format and gain hands-on practice in a supportive environment. While we welcome beginners in all our courses, this class provides the perfect foundation for students to discover their interests and build confidence before specializing.
Public Forum Debate
This course is a two-on-two debate event that has students tackling important current events. Recent topics have included U.S. diplomacy in the Middle East, cryptocurrency regulation and carbon emissions. Students will research to prepare cases on both sides of the resolution and learn core debate techniques. This event emphasizes persuasion and is designed to be judged by members of the general public.
Congressional Debate
Students will simulate a legislative session by giving short pro and con speeches on various bills. Students speak in a large group setting and are evaluated based on research, persuasion and argumentation skills, in addition to their knowledge of parliamentary procedure.
Lincoln-Douglas Debate
This course is a one-on-one debate event that asks students to evaluate public policy questions. Recent topics have included single payer health care, immigration reform, and the use of military drones on foreign soil. Students will learn debate research skills and the technical argumentation skills necessary for winning rounds. This event is designed for experienced judges and emphasizes logical thinking.
Speech
There are a variety of speech events that range from limited preparation (such as impromptu or extemporaneous speaking) to memorized events (such as original oratory). Students who sign up for speech will participate in a combination of general speech exercises and specific work on their preferred events.
More details on the speech categories can be found here: https://www.speechanddebate.org/competition-events-guide/
Summer Lunch
Lunch is included in tuition. Regular and vegetarian entrees are offered each day and menus are designed to provide healthy, nutritious options.
Summer Speech & Debate Staff
Jenny Achten has been at Harker for 13 years. She is a four diamond National Speech and Debate Association coach who has coached multiple national champions and finalists in all of the events offered at the summer program.
Greg Achten has coached at the middle school, high school and collegiate levels. At Harker for 16 years, he was previously the director of debate at UC Berkeley. He has coached multiple national champions.