Speech and Debate Squad 2008

Information for 2008 applicants – read this before applying
Application form at bottom of page

Deadline for applications: 14 January 2008
Interviews: 20 January 2008

Eligibility criteria

Candidates are welcomed from all disciplines at all universities in the UK and Ireland. Graduates, undergraduates and those studying for professional qualifications may apply. In exceptional circumstances we may consider applicants not in education. In that case, you should seek advice from James Probert before applying. The deadline for submitted applications is 5pm on Monday 14 January 2008. You must be able to attend interviews in person at Dartmouth House, London, on Sunday 20 January 2008. Unfortunately the ESU is unable to reschedule interviews, hold telephone interviews or offer more than £20 per person travelling expenses. Applicants from universities in Wales and Scotland may find that the Wales Debate Federation or ESU Scotland is able to offer them some assistance. You should apply directly to those bodies for advice.

Selection criteria

All tours require special combinations of skills and experience, but the following things will be taken into account for all tours:

a)       You must have excellent ambassadorial skills. Squad members will be representing the ESU in London, the ESU of the country they are in, and their university. You must be able to get on with a wide range of people of all ages and backgrounds and maintain the highest standards of behaviour and politeness at all times.

b)       Although having assisted the ESU in its domestic debate outreach programmes is not a requirement of selection, those candidates who have had the opportunity to work with us in the UK and have done so will be favoured, all other things being equal, over those who have had the opportunity and have not worked with us. Similarly, those who have contributed to outreach work run by another organisation, by their university or on their own initiative will be preferred where all other things are equal.

Conditions

a)       You must write a short report of your experiences, which you are willing to have published on the ESU’s websites. You must also contact your local ESU branch (if applicable) and inform them of your receipt of this scholarship.

b)       Once offered a tour you will have the opportunity to accept or decline your place on it. Once you accepted a place you are expected to keep yourself free to go on the trip.

c)       The ESU, either in London or in the destination country, or its partner organisation, will cover airfares, significant domestic transport (like airport transfers), accommodation and most meals. All other expenditure, including admission fees to tourist attractions, incidental meals, alcoholic drinks, souvenirs, etc. may be the responsibility of the Squad members themselves.

The tours

Bermuda: 25 February 2008 – 4 March 2008

Two Squad members will be chosen to assist at debate workshops for high school children, judge rounds of the Bermudan national debating competition, and participate at the final; assist in making a presentation on debate to the Ministry of Education; and involve themselves with ESU members. Squad members will stay with members of ESU Bermuda, who will also arrange leisure activities.

Special qualities sought: Experience of having taught or coached high school students in debate.

Chile: 15 June 2008 – 29 June 2008

Two Squad members will be chosen to design and run workshops for teachers and pupils in both debating and public speaking; to train debating judges; and to give speeches to promote the ESU. Most activities will take place in the Santiago area but opportunities will be given to see more of Chile either accompanied by ESU members of in free time. Accommodation will be in a hotel.

Special qualities sought: Experience of having planned workshops; experience of having trained judges; experience of having worked with school teachers; experience of specific public speaking training; knowledge of the wider work of the English-Speaking Union.

Estonia and Finland: 11 October 2008 – 20 October 2008

Two Squad members will be chosen to take part in demonstration debates and coaching activities for university debaters in Tallinn and Helsinki; run a workshop on World Schools style debate to high school students in Helsinki; and plan a British Parliamentary style workshop for Finnish university debaters. Accommodation will be in guest houses, and social activities with Estonian and Finnish students will be organised for the Squad members’ free time.

Special qualities sought: At least one member of the group must have experience of coaching BP format, and at least one member must have experience of the World Schools format. Both must have had experience of university-level competitive debating.

Israel: 13 July 2008 – 25 July 2008

Five Squad members will be chosen to help Siach va’Sig (the Israeli Debating Society) run a summer school for high school students in Lod and Jerusalem. Up to 50 teenagers will take part in intensive day-long sessions based on World Schools style debate. Squad members are housed with the Israeli faculty on the summer school, with whom social activities are arranged for the evenings.

Special qualities sought: Siach va’Sig insists that all Squad members must have had experience of debating, coaching or adjudicating at the World Schools Debating Championships. Experience of working with teachers is an advantage. Stamina is essential.

Japan: Ten days in early October 2008

Four Squad members will be chosen to accompany one member of ESU staff to deliver workshops to university students in Fukuoka, Osaka and Tokyo; a seminar for high school students in Tokyo; and to adjudicate at the Japanese national university debating championships. Squad members are accommodated in hotels and entertained by students and members of ESU Japan.

Special qualities sought: Experience of demonstrating debate to non-native English speakers and people with a low level of English; outstanding courtesy, punctuality and cross-cultural understanding; a catholic approach to diet.

Lebanon: 6 April 2008 – 12 April 2008 or 13 April 2008 – 19 April 2008

Two Squad members will be chosen to design and run debate workshops for university students at the Lebanese American University in Beirut, as part of their curriculum studies. The seminars will be large and demanding, but free time is included and there are opportunities provided to experience Lebanese culture and life. Accommodation is provided in a hotel.

Special qualities sought: Experience of coaching university speakers with an intermediate level of English.

South Africa: 28 April 2008 – 4 May 2008

One Squad member will be chosen to act as an international adjudicator at the first African Schools Debating Championships in Johannesburg.

Special qualities sought: The successful candidate must have adjudicated at the World Schools Debating Championships at least once.

The tour of United States will be selected for later in the year. Check this website in February for more information.

How to apply

Fill in the online form by clicking on the link below. List the tours in the order in which you would prefer to be selected for them. If you are unable to make the dates for a tour, give it a ‘0’ priority rating. You may not be chosen for your first choice of tour even if you have impressed the committee. For this reason you are encouraged to give a preference to every tour that you are able and willing to go on. The deadline for submission of applications is 5pm, Monday 14 January. If you have been short listed for interview you will be informed by 5pm on Wednesday 16 January. Interviews are on Sunday 20 January at Dartmouth House and attendance is a strict requirement for selection. You are advised to keep this date free.