The ESU
The ESU has been instrumental through its network of 40 branches
in the UK and the 51 international ESU's overseas in expanding awareness
of the ways in which spoken English language competence can open
windows of opportunity for those countries which have had little
access to the global community so far.
The ESU has taken on the task of developing the skills of speech and debate, central to effective participation in the political and commercial life of modern democracies as well as public and private institutions.
The Centre for Speech and Debate is the hub for all of the ESU's debating, public speaking, mooting and related activities. It:
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Manages and supports the National Schools Debating and Public Speaking Competitions, the National Universities Debating Competition, the National Universities Mooting Competition and the International Public Speaking Competition |
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Selects, trains and funds the England Schools Debating Team |
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Organises INSET training workshops for teachers |
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Manages the British Debate Squad, comprising the best university debaters in the UK. The squad undertakes tours and workshops both around the world and the UK. A main feature is the American Debate Tour, now in its 78th year, with alumni such as Edward Heath and Sir Robin Day |
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Runs a monthly debating society and other public debates |
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Organises a weekly presentation skills course for adults |
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Produces learning resource materials, both written and IT based |
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Is the voice of the England debating community in the governing councils of world-wide school and university debating bodies |
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Initiates and develops the use of IT as a resource for the promotion of debating |
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Acts as a central information resource in the UK on all matters related to debating and public speaking |
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Acts in partnership with UK, European and international organisations dedicated to the teaching and promotion of debate and communication |
To contact the Centre for Speech and Debate:
Centre for Speech and Debate
The English-Speaking Union
Dartmouth House
37 Charles Street
London W1J 5ED, UK
(t) +44 (0)20 7529 1550
(f) +44 (0)20 7495 6108
(e) centre@esu.org
James Probert (Head of CSD)
Harold Raitt (Debates Officer)
