Daeil Overseas Studies Program (DOSP)

For those of you who are interested in Debate in Korea. The Korea High School Debate Championship is probably the best place to compete. It is likely, the most competitive high school debate competition in Korea. The best of the best debaters gather here and compete.

I strongly encourage debating among students who want to improve and challenge themselves. I think the best way to promote debate is to use some of Mr. Hatridge’s word’s:

A 2006 College Journal article by Kyung Soon Lee and Angela Carrasquillo surveyed professors in American to find their opinions about Korean college students in the US. The core findings were that, “[t]he participating professors identified the following Korean college students characteristics:

• (a) lack of class participation,
• (b) view professors role as absolute authority
• (c) difficulties in openly expressing critical thinking
• (d) avoidance of eye contact during conversations
• (e) lack of understanding of “ownership of knowledge
• (f) difficulties with the structure of the English language,
• (g) inability to properly answer negative questions, and
• (h) preference of speaking Korean over English.”

Debate is a great way to address all of the above perceptions as it involves public speaking, research, teamwork, logical argumentation, and spontaneity. I believe a good debate balances polished speaking, current events knowledge, logical argumentation, and teamwork.

I encourage you to take the speech and debate class here at Daeil and try your hand at competing with the best in the nation.

You can find more about the Korea High School Debate Championship here.