News Archive It’s No Debate: our students are tops!
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It’s No Debate: our students are tops!
On March 22nd, after participating in the Ontario provincial debating championship in Kitchener, it was no debate whose bilingual students were tops: it was Toronto French School, of course. Attended by students from the public, separate and independent school systems, the tournament brought together the province’s best English, French and bilingual debaters. The students took part in team and individual activities, including both debate topics prepared in advance, and impromptu debates. After the last arguments were presented, TFS Debating Club members Fraser S., Level V, and Tina S., Level III, were named not only the top bilingual team debaters in Ontario, but were also the recipients of the prestigious Rupert Ray Award. Additionally, Fraser was named top bilingual individual debater in Ontario, and Maybelle S. and Alex F., both Level V students, placed 3rd in the French team debate category. All of our students were up against stiff competition, particularly from Ashbury College and Lycée Claudel, both from Ottawa. In the bilingual team debate, Fraser and Tina had to prepare for the topic “Should Canada join the EU?” However, as with all debating tournaments, they had to argue both sides. On the final day of the tournament, Fraser also took part in a mock debate showcasing bilingual debating. “There is a high level of interest, but not a lot of knowledge about bilingual debating,” he said, adding, “students think ‘but what if I’m not perfectly bilingual?’” In fact, the lowest minimum for speaking either French of English in a bilingual debate is 25%, and judges will take into account individual proficiencies in both languages. Congratulations to the Senior School Debating Club for their tremendous success!
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