Speech and Debate Classes
iLearn Education's speech and debate classes in Irvine train students in grades 3–12 to become confident public speakers, sharper analytical thinkers, and competition-ready debaters. Our program covers every competitive format middle and high school students encounter — SPAR, Lincoln-Douglas, Parliamentary and Public Forum — alongside NSDA speech events.
Our team competes year-round on the Southern California circuit at OCSL, SCJFL and NPDL events, and has qualified for the NPDL Tournament of Champions.
Students who start in our elementary Speech & Debate Key program build the foundations that translate into competitive success at middle and high school, where strong debate experience supports IUSD honors track placement and college applications.
Every class builds a core skill like: public speaking, critical thinking, research, teamwork, and structured reasoning. These will directly translate into academic success and real-world confidence. Whether a student is preparing for competition or developing foundational speaking skills, our speech and debate classes provide high-level coaching that strengthens their voice, strategy, and communication skills. See our recent tournament results!
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Mr. Joe is a veteran debate coach with 10+ years of teaching and tournament success. With a background in history and political science and experience teaching at the college level, he has guided debate teams to major national wins in Parliamentary and LD debate, including top placements at Berkeley and the NPDA Championships.
He specializes in clear communication, strategic thinking, and elevating students to competitive excellence.
Speech & Debate Coaches
Mr. Joe
Mr. Jonathan brings over a decade of experience teaching ELA, AP, ISEE, and competitive debate. With degrees in history and political science and college-level teaching experience as both a graduate assistant and associate professor, he has coached debate teams to multiple national wins in Parliamentary and Lincoln-Douglas debate.
His accomplishments include leading a High School Parli debate team to a 2nd Place finish at the Berkeley Tournament and contributing to an NPDA Season Sweepstakes National Championship. He focuses on strategy, clarity, and building confident communicators.
Mr. Jonathan
Mr. Tristan holds a Bachelor’s in History from UC Berkeley and a Master’s in International Relations from the University of Oxford. A published author with a strong foundation in research and writing, he brings 8+ years of coaching experience in public school speech and debate and more than a decade in professional sports and radio broadcasting.
He specializes in Parliamentary and Public Forum debate and is known for helping students excel in writing, public speaking, and critical analysis across history and current affairs.
Mr. Tristan
Coaches
Our Irvine speech and debate coaches bring national-level experience, helping students build confidence, critical thinking, and strong public speaking skills.
Tournaments
Students in our debate team participate in competitive tournaments that sharpen quick thinking, persuasive speaking, and real-world argumentation.
Programs
Our Irvine speech and debate classes develop clear communication, analytical reasoning, and academic confidence through engaging, structured debate training.
Support
We provide comprehensive guidance and progress support so every student feels prepared, confident, and fully equipped to grow as a speaker and debater.
Speech & Debate Key A
Grades: 3 - 5
Focus: Persuasive speaking, argument structure, and collaborative discussion
Speech & Debate Key A builds on foundational speaking skills by introducing structured persuasion and peer-to-peer argumentation. Students practice crafting clear claims, responding to opposing viewpoints, and using evidence to support their ideas. Through interactive activities and guided debates, students strengthen logical thinking, teamwork, and expressive communication in a supportive environment.
Middle School Speech & Debate Core
Grades: 6 - 8
Focus: Formal debate formats, research-based argumentation, and competitive speaking
Middle School Speech & Debate Core prepares students for competitive debate by introducing NSDA speech events along with Lincoln-Douglas and Parliamentary debate formats. Students learn to research topics, construct logically sound cases, refute opposing arguments, and speak persuasively under time constraints. The course develops confidence, critical thinking, and academic communication skills essential for advanced middle school and high school coursework.
Speech & Debate Classes
Speech & Debate Key B
Grades: 4 - 5
Focus: Introductory public speaking, SPAR debate, and verbal confidence
Speech & Debate Key B introduces younger students to public speaking and SPAR debate through engaging, age-appropriate topics. Students learn how to organize ideas quickly, speak with confidence, and support opinions using basic reasoning and examples. The course emphasizes posture, eye contact, vocal clarity, and comfort speaking in front of others while building a strong foundation for future debate and ELA success.
High School Speech & Debate Core
Grades: 9 - 12
Focus: Advanced competitive debate, research, and college-level public speaking
High School Speech & Debate Core trains students in advanced competitive speech and debate aligned with NSDA standards. Students refine research, case construction, cross-examination, and rebuttal strategies across Lincoln-Douglas and Parliamentary debate formats. The course emphasizes clarity, logic, and persuasive delivery while preparing students for high-level competition, leadership opportunities, and college applications.
Middle School Speech & Representation
Grades: 5 - 8
Focus: Communication, Public Speak & Presentation Techniques, Business & Persuasive Presentations
Speech & Representation builds confident, compelling communicators. Through interactive presentation simulations, Branding & Business projects, and impromptu speaking, students master the art of audience connection, stage presence, and persuasive leadership. From structuring bold ideas to delivering impactful speeches, students gain the real-world communication skills needed to lead with authority.