This summer, University of Utah John R. Park Debate Society members Averie Vockel, Assistant Director of Forensics, and Aubrie Powers, a returning senior member and the team’s outreach intern, traveled to China to teach debate for Weschool Speech & Debate Association (WSDA)—an organization that promotes educational speech and debate competition for students in China through summer camps, winter camps, and online courses.
The trip was an extension of the John R. Park Debate Society’s partnership with WSDA, which began in November of 2024. It represents the Society’s commitment to expand speech and debate access and provide opportunities to undergraduate students through unique internship opportunities.
“We have been consistently impressed with the U’s excellence and adaptability as they assist in debate outreach throughout the world. They truly are one of the special collegiate organizations that gives back to international debate communities. We are forever grateful for their willingness to visit and serve in China, and we are excited about future possibilities in further cementing the U as a preeminent leader in international debate,” said WSDA’s Southwest Regional Director Gordon Peer.
Vockel and Powers spent the month of July in Wuxi and Hangzhou, two cities near Shanghai in eastern China. Each camp lasted ten days and students from across China, surrounding countries, and even as far as the United States participated. Vockel taught middle school and high school students Public Forum (PF) debate, a two-on-two, evidence-based debate format. Besides speech and debate techniques, Public Forum also teaches students research skills on a range of topics. Powers taught elementary and middle school students Junior Debate, a debate format unique to WSDA, meant to give students an introduction to debate fundamentals.
“With Averie’s years of debate experience and Aubrie’s recent competitive success, the students of China received some the finest instruction possible. Their pedagogical flexibility and prowess allowed our instruction to change the lives of many English Language Learners,” continued Peer.
On the last two days of each camp, the students participated in a mock tournament, where they applied the skills that they learned in the classroom through competition. Besides learning debate, preparing for nationals or even international competition, many students take advantage of WSDA’s programs to practice English speaking and public speaking skills.
Outside of teaching, Vockel and Powers had the opportunity to travel to the capital of China, Beijing via the high-speed train. During their time there, they saw the Great Wall, a jade factory, Tiananmen Square, and the Forbidden City. This experience emphasizes the global reach of speech and debate as well as the opportunities the activity can provide its participants.
“My experience in China was meaningful and impactful because it changed my perspective on how fun, challenging, and rewarding educating can be. I never truly realized how much effort, planning, and last-minute changes go into teaching. I was most impacted by the success and skills of the students at the camps. Not only were students debating at such a young age, but they were also doing so in their second or even third language. It was inspiring to see them never give up, even if things became challenging for them. It cemented the power of debate education, for me,” said Powers.
Learn more about University of Utah Speech & Debate.