SPRING 2017 DIALOGUE

Express yourself COMEDIAN HUGH DENNIS ON WHY BEING

TONGUE-TIED WILL GET YOU NOWHERE

60 years of Schools’ Mace winners – where are they now?

Debating free speech at the House of Lords Chamber Event

Bonding through a shared language with the Experience English programme FROM THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL

English-Speaking Union EXPRESS YOURSELF

ake a deep breath before you start. the oldest and largest annual debating competition Speak slowly. Make eye contact with for secondary school students in England, we your audience. All of these things can catch up with six past winners. From a rabbi, to help improve the delivery of a speech. a comedian, to the Chief Executive of Guy’s and TBut here at the ESU, we’re interested in more than St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, their diverse that. What sets us and our training apart is that we successes illustrate just how far these skills can endeavour to instil in young people the knowledge carry you. that what they – and other people – have to say is As I visit our competitions and events I see at least as important as the way in which they say it. much evidence of nascent talent and intellect. We want people to discover their voices, and then I am constantly delighted by the standard of debate DEBATE ACADEMY use them in the best way they can. from our young people and think Helping young people to they could remind some in the ‘The best fun I’ve had understand the issues of today is the public eye of what makes for What is Debate Academy? 'WE WANT PEOPLE first step in developing minds which good public debate. And that’s Debate Academy is a week-long summer school to help young people all summer. Lovely TO DISCOVER are able to contribute to solutions to not just professional pride talking improve their debating skills. Run by some of the best coaches and people, inspiring THEIR VOICES, society’s challenges. Presenting both – Lord Fowler, the Lord Speaker, debaters in the world, it gives students – regardless of their level of ability mentors and such AND THEN USE sides of an argument so children are who presided over the recent House or experience – the opportunity to try a variety of debating styles and to THEM IN THE BEST interesting and aware of differing opinions before of Lords Chamber Event, says as learn more about current affairs and contemporary issues through lively useful knowledge. deciding where they stand is vital. WAY THEY CAN' much too – as you can discover evening lectures. At least eight practice debates with individual feedback Can’t recommend Helping them recognise that other on page 26. allow students to progress at their own pace. With plenty of fun social views are valid, that issues are rarely black and white, I’d like to finish by recommending you read our it enough!’ activities and attendees from all over the world, it also offers students and that it’s through an exploration of the nuances story on page 32 of Narjes, a client helped by our the chance to make new friends from a variety of different backgrounds. Benedict M, 2016 participant which reside in the grey where resolution is likely Experience English programme, which pairs to be found, is invaluable. Londoners with survivors of extreme cruelty who Full and part bursaries available! It saddens me then that today’s young people are have recently arrived in the UK. More than anything The English-Speaking Union is committed to ensuring that no student’s growing up surrounded by examples of poor quality else, she feels she gained ‘two ears that listen to me financial circumstances should stop them from attending, so if you know public debate, but it means the ESU’s mission if I’m happy, or if I’m sad; someone to hear me’. of someone who might be interested, please do get in touch. becomes more vital than ever. Our debating And that of course, is what dialogue, and debate, workshops and competitions equip youngsters with should be all about. Find out more the vocabulary, the knowledge and the confidence to Debate Academy is held at Uppingham School, Rutland, from navigate not just the debating chamber but the world. 31st July-5th August, and is for students aged 14–18. It costs £495, which Proof, if any is needed, is found on page 16, where to covers all coaching, meals, accommodation and bus transfers to and celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Schools’ Mace, JANE EASTON, DIRECTOR-GENERAL fromTo register,Oakham station. and forApplications more more now open. information, For more information pleasevisit esu.org/youngmembercontact [email protected] or visit esu.org/debate-academy Spring 2017 www.esu.org 3 CONTENTS

News 8 Including winners of the 2017 ESU Performing The contacts below are your first port of call From32 strangers for general enquiries in the different departments Shakespeare Competition, our new partnership at Dartmouth House with the Department for Education and our to friends RECEPTION / GENERAL ENQUIRIES debut in The Week Junior Fiona Robinson 26 020 7529 1550 • [email protected] DIRECTOR-GENERAL’S OFFICE OUR WORK Kay Dacey, Executive Assistant 020 7529 1561 • [email protected] 60 years of the Schools’ Mace 16 34 CATERING / COMMERCIAL BOOKING ENQUIRIES We catch up with six winners to find out how Way out East Harbour + Jones at Dartmouth House the competition shaped their lives Since 1922, the ESU has sent skilled speech and 020 7529 1578 • [email protected] debate mentors to all corners of the globe. We catch MEMBERSHIP up with four mentors on their return from Japan Gail Featherstone, Membership Officer Bringing a debating culture into schools is 020 7529 1585 • [email protected] an act of social liberation 20 Shikha Battershill, Membership Administrator Head teacher Geoff Barton makes INTERVIEWS 020 7529 1571 • [email protected] an impassioned case for all schools having EDUCATION 14 Hugh Dennis Duncan Partridge, Director of Education equal access to debate The actor and comedian talks to Dialogue about his 020 7529 1570 • [email protected] experiences as an ESU Performing Shakespeare judge Leela Koenig, Head of Oracy Teaching resource 23 020 7529 1584 • [email protected] Melanie Aplin, Head of International Programmes The latest addition to our series of free 24 Lewis Iwu 020 7529 1591 • [email protected] teaching resources introduces students to the The World Schools’ Team England coach on Maia Gibbs, Head of Education Network 020 7529 1593 • [email protected] idea of defending the indefensible the transformative power of debate and where COMMUNICATIONS we go from here Anna Quenby, Director of Communications Speaking in the house 26 020 7529 1561 • [email protected] The House of Lords Chamber Event is Lucy McDonnell, Head of Editorial 54 The Right Honourable the Lord Fowler 020 7529 1575 [email protected] one of the highlights of the ESU’s year, as • Q&A with the former Conservative MP and Natasha McGowan, Communications Officer Natasha Goodfellow discovers Lord Speaker of the House of Lords 020 7529 1574 • [email protected] ALUMNI This house believes 30 Alex Orpin, Alumni Officer HERITAGE 020 7529 1569 • [email protected] Freedom of speech should have no Iimits 38 FINANCE From the archive Marie Bond, Director of Finance & Operations From strangers to friends 32 During the London Blitz, ESU America members 020 7529 1567 • [email protected] helped in whatever way they could Ian Stokes, Director of Development We speak to a volunteer and a client from the 020 7529 1588 • [email protected] ESU’s Experience English programme Tracy Hanlon, Finance Administrator BRANCHES 020 7529 1581 • [email protected]

40 News and diary dates Dialogue is published by the We catch up with London Branch Chairman English-Speaking Union, Dartmouth House, 37 Charles Street, London, W1J 5ED 16 Ann Armstrong and take a look at the latest news www.esu.org and events from ESU branches around the country Twitter: @theESU Facebook: The English-Speaking Union Managing Editor: Lucy McDonnell POEM 020 7529 1575 • [email protected] Consultant Editor: Natasha Goodfellow 52 My Mother(’s) Tongue Design: Zed Publishing Limited A poem to read aloud, by Denisa Vítová www.zedpublishing.co.uk Art Director: Lee Penton ALUMNI Art Editors: Sarah Browne, Stuart Mabbett, Kieron Lewis Account Director: Matthew Jenns 53 How the ESU changed my life Every effort is made to ensure that information in Dialogue is accurate and correct. However, the Katharine Brooks on how her experience English-Speaking Union accepts no responsibility for inspired her to make a positive difference inaccuracies or any consequences arising from them.

4 Dialogue Magazine Spring 2017 Spring 2017 www.esu.org 5 CONTRIBUTORS

This month, tying in with our House of Lords Chamber Event on the freedom of speech, we ask our contributors… ‘Given the opportunity, what single issue would you like to speak out about today?’

DENISA HUW GEOFF DAISY VÍTOVÁ SPANNER BARTON OHAN My generation is too A hundred years I’d speak out about the I would speak out loud. Everybody has after the Balfour many great schools, against the ways that a voice but nobody Declaration, I would great teachers and women and minorities listens. So if I could love to see Britain great educational are constantly silenced squeeze my own voice finally join the other leaders we have in the or disbelieved when in, I would tell the 136 countries that have UK – across all sectors trying to discuss world I am listening. recognised Palestine as in all communities. oppression, and Then I would hear a sovereign state. Only They don’t get enough the social norms somebody else’s issue then will six million recognition, and that encourage out and together we Palestinians begin to certainly not enough disadvantaged people might try to solve it. have a chance to live praise. We owe them not to speak out in in freedom, security a great deal. the first place. and prosperity.

Denisa is an English linguistics and Huw Spanner is a writer and Geoff Barton is Head Teacher Daisy is a student at the literature student in Switzerland editor and the man behind of King Edward VI School, Bury University of Exeter and an ESU and a published poet. Read aloud the online interview series St Edmunds, and has written and mentor, which led her to take part her beautiful poem on page 52. High Profiles (highprofiles.info). edited more than 100 books on in the recent Japan Debate Tour. On page 31, he puts forward his grammar and literacy. On page Find out more on page 34. view on the freedom of speech. 20, he makes a lively case for the importance of debate in schools.

6 Dialogue Magazine Spring 2017 Spring 2017 www.esu.org 7 NEWS THE LATEST NEWS AND EVENTS IN NEWS AND AROUND DARTMOUTH HOUSE Oracy in bloom Oracy made the headlines recently with the news that Hollywood actor Orlando Bloom has been working with schoolchildren in Manchester to improve their communication skills. Bloom, who used acting skills to help him overcome his dyslexia as a child, visited Cheadle Hulme High School giving workshops on improvisation, posture and improving eye contact to boost students’ confidence, critical thinking and social ability both in and out of school. Bloom’s visit may have been a one-off but the emphasis on oracy is set to stay the course as the school follows a unique ‘Culture, Creativity & Rhetoric’ curriculum created by acclaimed drama coach and Bloom’s Tackling What a performance! former mentor, Patsy Rodenburg. The winner of the 2017 ESU Performing Shakespeare controversy Competition has been announced as Wurdaan Kashif of Altrincham Grammar School for Boys, with judges’ The ESU, in partnership with the Association commendations given to Sakshi Jha of Sheffield High School of Citizenship Teaching (ACT), has been and Natalie Ings of Prendergast School. The final took place MAKING NEWS appointed by the Department for Education at the Gielgud Theatre in London’s West End, with judges (DfE) to deliver a set of resources that help The ESU now has a regular presence in The Week including renowned voice coach Sue Meadows, producer teachers to respond to controversial issues Junior, the award-winning current affairs magazine Ben Canning and LAMDA-trained actress Bathsheba Piepe with discussion, debate and dialogue. aimed at curious 8-14 year olds. Our research and (all pictured with the winners, above). resources team, Amanda Moorghen and Gavin With a Trump presidency and decisions still to The event, on 21st March, was the culmination of months Illsley are advising on ‘The Big Debate’ feature, be made on Brexit, there is no shortage of of local and regional heats (find out more on p14) among consulting on suggested topics and arguments, controversy at the moment, on subjects which schools from Newcastle to Exeter, Cardiff to Manchester and raising awareness of the ESU’s work. ‘We are inevitably make their way into the classroom. and Herefordshire to Norfolk. The competition attracted proud to be guided by an organisation as highly a record number of 343 entries in total and, thanks to its The materials produced by the ESU and respected as the ESU in our endeavour to present regional approach, continued to build links between schools, the ACT will support teachers while they have the facts and arguments as clearly and concisely teachers and students alike. these tricky conversations with their classes. as possible,’ says deputy editor Felicity Capon. This year, we have again aimed to further the learning Both organisations share a common belief ‘We believe the quality of our debates will only go element of the competition by including oracy workshops that the power of debate and citizenship from strength to strength with the ESU’s support.’ at the regional final level. We also held inspiring talks and teaching can equip young people with the lectures at the national final from professionals including knowledge, oracy skills and capacity for critical Royal Shakespeare Company education practitioner Jennifer thinking they need in order to hold their own in Rigby and actor and ESU mentor John Pfumojena. Shannon political and social discussion. ‘Every student deserves the opportunity to foster this ability, Reeve, a teacher from Kingstone High School, Herefordshire, 19 of the top 100 speakers in the world* and our resources will make it easier for said, ‘No matter what the outcome, I’ve got a bunch of really are members of the Education Network Did you classroom teachers to support them,’ enthusiastic students, who have loved every minute of this (i.e. mentors, judges or alumni) know? says Amanda Moorghen, Research and and have already asked to be considered again next year!’ *World Universities Debating Championship 2017 Resources Senior Officer at the ESU.

8 Dialogue Magazine Spring 2017 Spring 2017 www.esu.org 9 NEWS NEWS

THANK YOU TO ALL JUDGES! GOING THE In the last year, ESU members and mentors have acted as judges for our DISTANCE 60 years of school debating competitions in no small measure: Luke Macaronas, a student This year marks the 60th anniversary of the culture within their school. They received at St Kevin’s College, Schools' Mace (see our feature on page 16), a trophy and a full-day Discover Your Melbourne, will be making the oldest and largest debating competition Voice workshop for their students. his way to London this for secondary schools in England. Over 300 Dunraven School is just one of many May to take part in the schools (of which 53% are state schools, a small schools to have been bitten by the debate International Public increase on last year) participated in well over bug. George Hollis, a teacher at Thirsk Speaking Competition 100 heats all over the country, debating topics School and Sixth Form College, a first-time (IPSC) 2017. Luke’s speech ranging from the doctors’ strikes to basic participant in the Schools’ Mace and on locker-room culture human rights for higher primates. a North East regional finalist, sees the and its effects on society After a spirited final at Dartmouth House competition as a golden opportunity won him first prize at the on 22nd March, the winners of the Schools’ to inspire a powerful debating culture Performing Shakespeare Plain English Speaking Award, Mace 2016-17 were announced as Ed Bracey within the school community. Australia’s national public speaking and Greg Weaving from Eton College. They ‘The decision to enter the ESU competition, having beaten almost debated against a talented team from St. Schools’ Mace came from the students 200 students in the regional heats. Francis Xavier’s College, Liverpool, on the themselves and they have done He will be joined by around 50 other national motion ‘This house would lift the US all the research, preparation and champions for five days of heats, training and cultural Congress’ ban on earmarks’. The Schools’ organisation behind the debates,’ excursions. ‘The chance to travel to London is almost overwhelmingly Mace 60 Award was presented to Dunraven he says. ‘We are really excited exciting,’ says Luke. ‘The opportunity to meet people from all over the School in Streatham, London, for their by what our students, working world and to learn about their beliefs and perspectives is truly thrilling.’ long-term efforts towards creating a debating on their own, are capable of.’ Up to eight participants will go on to compete at the Grand Final on the afternoon of Friday, 12th May at The Royal Institution, Mayfair, speaking on the topic ‘Peace is not an absence of war’. Attendance is free for UK students and teachers – to register your interest please Public Speaking Competition email [email protected] Discovering younger voices GATEWAY Some 290 schools in England and Wales ‘The Year 9s are chirpy little things,’ says TO SUCCESS – fielding 37 more teams than last year – competition officer Paul Hollely. ‘Their The English-Speaking Union has have entered this year’s ESU-Churchill arguments may not be quite as well worked continued its partnership with London National Public Speaking Competition. out as those of the older students, but they charity City Gateway delivering ‘debating Help to spread the Word The rise is thought to be largely due to bring such dynamism. They are also slightly in the workplace’ days to multiple classes Applications are now open for the the evangelical message, and the the contest having been opened to Year 9 less inhibited – they just go for it!’ throughout the year. Aimed at young American Memorial Chapel Travel role of religion in the lives of students, as well as to Years 10 & 11. Heats and branch finals have taken place people aged 18-24 impacted by social Grant – a non-denominational undocumented migrant workers. all over the country, thanks to the sterling and economic disadvantage and exclusion, grant of £2,000 towards a Recent scholar, Reverend Dr work of the ESU branches, and preparations the workshops help participants to deliver research trip to the United Christopher Swift commented are now underway for the national final, on speeches and presentations, as well as to Schools’ Mace, including 46 States for a member of that ‘the visit challenged 22nd April at Churchill College, Cambridge, prepare ideas and tackle questions, and trained ESU mentors and judges the clergy. Past recipients and affirmed aspects of my where eight teams will battle it out to win culminate in a debate. ‘What left the most have looked into parish own understanding of the coveted trophy. Schools are welcome to important impression on me was the idea nursing and the chaplaincy and its attend, for free, to witness the high standard that understanding other people’s point A big thank you to you all; we couldn’t do health ministry, future in an ever of speaking and to put the speakers on the of view (even when I disagree with it) it without you! If you’d like to get involved how outdoor more diverse context’. spot with searching questions from the floor. will help me give a better response,’ or to apply for training, please see pursuits can To find out more, Register your interest at esu.org/psc said Shannon, a recent attendee. esu.org/educationnetwork help spread see esu.org/clergy

10 Dialogue Magazine Spring 2017 www.esu.org 11 NEWS NEWS

TEAM ENGLAND & Innovation TEAM WALES SELECTED in language The World Schools Debating Championships, which this year takes place in Bali, is the crème de la crème of secondary school debating contests. ‘As such, it attracts a very high standard of applicants, making the job of the selection learning committee particularly tough,’ says the ESU’s Anna England-Kerr. This year’s Team England comprises Kenza Wilks (Dulwich College and last year’s Anyone who has sat through the agony of captain), Edward Bracey (Eton), Tara Sallis (Berkhamsted School), Hannah foreign language listening lessons, being Taylor (Tiffin Girls’ School) and Arthur James (Eton), who will be trying to bored to tears by stilted, unlikely, studio- retain the title after last year’s England win. MANY HAPPY RETURNS! recorded conversations (‘Is that your bag? Among the many teams competing against them will be Team Wales, one The ESU would like to extend warmest Yes, it is my bag.’), will understand what of the most successful nations in the tournament’s history, this year managed congratulations to Carol McCarthy Duhme a joy the latest series of Keynote language and supported for the first time by the ESU. After receiving twice the number who turns 100 this month. learning resources are. Based on TED talks of applications as last year, the highly competitive selection weekend took – the global phenomenon of short, powerful place in Cardiff University with the help of Team Wales alumni, a number of Mrs Duhme has been a long-time supporter of talks dedicated to ‘ideas worth sharing’ accomplished university debaters and ESU staff. Ariana Jessa, Matthew Zheng the ESU’s work, acting as sponsor and hostess to – they use the talks, with their authentic and Sheikh Srijon (all Atlantic College) and Vaishnavi Sabarigirivasan and generations of Chautauqua Bell Tower scholars THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC LEARNING language and compelling themes, as the TEAM RECEIVE THEIR AWARD FOR KEYNOTE Odunayo Salu (both Cardiff Sixth Form College) were chosen for the team. over the last 60 years. The scholarship allowed a FROM THE ESU’S DIRECTOR-GENERAL, LEFT foundation of the lessons. In light of this, Let battle commence! young teacher to spend time at the prestigious it’s perhaps not surprising then that Keynote Chautauqua Institution in New York state, an arts- won the Resource for Secondary and Higher Award for New Technology in English printed word and websites, to name but based summer school that explores the important Learners Award at the ESU’s recent English Language Teaching. a few. The next English Language Awards religious, social and political issues of our times. Language Awards ceremony which took Charlotte Ellis, from the National will take place in 2018, when we’ll be One such scholar was William Glover, place on Monday, 28th November. Geographic Learning team which publishes hoping to see an even wider range of now a member of ESU Eastbourne. ‘Meeting Other similarly innovative winners Keynote, said, ‘Winning the ESU award publishers represented from around the Coming up sunflowers Carol Duhme changed my life,’ he says. included the interactive Dex from is an immense honour and a professional globe. ‘As the oracy agenda comes to the Bronze and Sunflower, a children’s ceremony at Dartmouth House. ‘It opened the door to an American family Macmillan Education (Resource for validation of the direction, mission and fore, we are excited to see how English book by Chinese author Cao A separate ‘My Marsh’ competition I never knew I had, led me to become the first Young Learners Award), Language values of our publishing – that of inspiring, language teaching continues to Wenxuan, has won the 2017 Marsh invited children to submit a video ever Roman Catholic Director of Youth Ministry Learning with Digital Video (Resources for real-world and 21st century content’. rise to the challenge of producing engaging Award for Children’s Literature in review of a shortlisted title and, in for the Chautauqua Institution and led to Teachers Award) and Say It! from Oxford Fifteen publishers submitted materials resources to empower new speakers of Translation. Helen Wang, who a happy coincidence, Bronze and a number of my post-graduate works.’ University Press which won the President’s for consideration, spanning mobile apps, English,’ says Zoë Adams of the ESU. translated the story of a city girl Sunflower was also the title chosen making a new life in the countryside in this year’s winning entry by Mrs Duhme has not just supported the ESU in her from Mandarin into English, wins 11-year-old Brionie Underhill-Ashton long life which has included flights with Charles £3,000 from the Marsh Christian from Benfield School in Newcastle. Lindbergh and even a meeting with Adolf Hitler Trust, for whom the ESU administers ‘Brionie’s review communicates not while she was touring Europe as a student at Vassar the award. ‘Translated only her infectious enthusiasm but College. A committed philanthropist driven by her literature is a powerful also the enjoyment philosophy of ‘helping others to help themselves’, BURSARIES AVAILABLE! way of developing she gained from she has made substantial donations to women’s Committed to broadening our educational reach, the ESU provides full and partial bursaries intercultural learning about, and welfare projects and initiatives that support to enable students from all backgrounds to attend our unforgettable summer school, Debate understanding,’ says from, another culture,’ minority communities in the Americas, and was Academy. Held this year from 31st July-5th August at Uppingham School in Rutland, it offers Duncan Partridge, said Duncan. ‘We recently awarded the Dean’s Medal for Service world-class coaching from expert mentors, practice debates with individual feedback and plenty Director of Education at loved the way that to the George Warren Brown School of Social of opportunities to make new friends from all over the world. Applications are now open, so please the ESU, a belief shared Brionie shares how new Work at Washington University. ‘Carol Duhme has help us to spread the word. Find out more at esu.org/debate-academy by the many publishers worlds were opened up genuinely made a difference in our world for the and organisations who to her within the pages better,’ says William, and we couldn’t agree more. attended the award of the book.’

12 Dialogue Magazine Spring 2017 Spring 2017 www.esu.org 13 INTERVIEW

Experience, which he’d been recording in his He admits that he hadn’t been as nervous as spare time, transferred to television, and his boss some people might have been. ‘My dad was a vicar organised for him to take an 18-month sabbatical, ‘KNOWING HOW TO who became a bishop, so it never seemed unusual ‘which I’m officially still on,’ he laughs. to me that you would stand up and talk in front Bizarre though it may sound, he sees a thread of people, and it never seemed unusual you would between his marketing work and his stand-up put on funny clothes.’ career. ‘A lot of marketing is working out what EXPRESS YOURSELF IS The seed may have been planted, but it took a people want and how you should express things,’ while to germinate. ‘I went to Cambridge thinking he says. ‘I think it attracts the same kind of people I was probably the most stupid person there as acting too. I think one of the reasons Unilever KEY TO ABSOLUTELY because I hadn’t done very well in my A-levels and gave me a sabbatical is that my department was I’d got in via the Cambridge exam, and I decided full of people who to some extent wanted to be that to keep up, I’d have to work very hard.’ Two doing what I was doing; everyone was a performer EVERYTHING’ years in, it dawned on him that studying wasn’t manqué in some sense.’ necessarily the most important facet of university How you express yourself is something that Actor and comedian Hugh Dennis is impressed by the life and he joined Footlights. ‘Although I still has been on Dennis’s mind a lot, partly because wasn’t considering comedy as a career, I realised of his judging of the Performing Shakespeare students in the West Sussex regional finals of the ESU’s there were people who’d gone to Cambridge competition, but also because he was recently Performing Shakespeare competition specifically for that reason and their degrees were asked to speak at a leadership conference at his secondary.’ In that category in Dennis’s year were children’s school. He was panicked – ‘I’m in a the students. ‘I think mainly it helps kids be Nick Hancock and Steve Punt, with whom Dennis profession that requires you to have no leadership he schoolchildren of West Sussex are a confident. You manage to do something you teamed up as a double act, but their Saturday skills at all. But, having thought about it quite a lucky bunch. Not only do they have the never thought you could, and that gives you night gigs were still, in Dennis’s mind at least, lot, I realised that you can have as brilliant an idea Tchance to pit their Juliet and Othello the confidence to think: “I can probably do a hobby; something he did on the side of his as you like, or you can be fantastically insightful, mono- and duologues against those of other other stuff as well”.’ marketing job at Unilever, which he joined but all of that is of absolutely no use to you unless schools in the ESU’s Performing Shakespeare His own realisation that he could handle after graduating. you can get your ideas over to other people. competition, those reaching the regional finals get an audience – and enjoy doing so – came when, And so it might have stayed if ‘The power of language and of knowing how to perform in front of TV royalty Hugh Dennis as head boy, he was required to give a speech at comedian Jasper Carrott hadn’t seen to express yourself is key to absolutely everything. and Abigail Cruttenden, thanks to the sterling the end of his A-level year. However, his first them perform at the Comedy Store Somehow you have to be comfortable in your own one night and asked them onto efforts of branch chairman Anthony Davies. ever game of golf the day before the speech had, skin – or indeed in someone else’s – but you have his Saturday evening show. Now in his second year of judging, Dennis, thanks to a friend’s mis-swing, left him with an to have the confidence to stand up and to value Even then, Dennis stayed star of Mock The Week and BBC One’s hit enormous, bloody head wound, the stitches for your own opinion and your right to be there. , is almost as excited as at Unilever for six years, sitcom Outnumbered which requiring that a sizeable proportion of his Learning to speak in public helps you overcome before the hit radio the students. ‘It’s an immensely rewarding thing hair be shaved off. ‘I realised that the big shyness and to value yourself. And of course, programme The to do,’ he says, ‘partly because of the kids’ question the audience was going to be asking Mary Whitehouse the applause is amazing.’ enthusiasm which is genuinely uplifting, was not about how well the school had done or but also because, as a text, Shakespeare can the first fifteen’s triumphs but “why does he look appear so dense and hard to understand, and like a before and after picture for the Harley yet performing it, they all make sense of it. Street Hair Clinic?” So I went a bit That’s what’s so impressive.’ off piste and people laughed Hugh’s words Though Dennis hasn’t played any Shakespeare and I thought, “This of wisdom himself (apart from a ‘rather unfortunate’ casting , is alright”.’ DON’T WORRY as Brutus in a school production of Julius Caesar ABOUT MESSING UP aged 12), he knows what a challenge this is. ‘It’s ‘I remember very early on going the same for all actors. When you start doing DO SOMETHING to see the Royal Shakespeare YOU ENJOY BREAK IT DOWN a part you have no idea how to say a line or Company’s Romeo & Juliet at the ‘It’s ridiculous not to. I’ve always ‘However nervous I am, my Barbican. Someone forgot their

what it means and somehow you have to HANSEN PAL work it out. Just standing up in front of thought I would be as happy mantra is generally to say that lines and it collapsed into a mess people is terrifying.’ being a barrister or any other ‘This is just an hour of your and I thought this is the RSC, This, more than anything else, is what profession that requires you to life. That’s all it is. Within sixty the country’s greatest actors, stand up and talk, and of course minutes it will all be over, so if I forget a line every now Dennis believes the competition gives WORDS NATASHA GOODFELLOW PHOTOGRAPH I’d have work all the time.’ however it has gone.’ and again, it’s really fine.’

14 Dialogue Magazine Spring 2017 Spring 2017 www.esu.org 15 Equal pay South African cricket Moscow Olympics A key issue throughout the Public outrage at South Africa’s When the USSR invaded Sixties, it reached boiling point barring of mixed-race cricketer Afghanistan in 1979, US President in 1968 when women machinists Basil D’Oliveira led to the Jimmy Carter spearheaded a at Ford’s plant in Dagenham cancellation of the country’s boycott of the 1980 Summer went on strike 1970 tour of England Olympics in Moscow 60 years 1966 1970 1980 of the

boost to my confidence and 'THE MAN BROUGHT career. I developed debating IN TO TEACH ME Schools’ Mace and public speaking skills that HAD AN UNUSUAL TO CELEBRATE THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE have stood me in good stead APPROACH – I WAS all my life – in my career as MADE TO STAND ON SCHOOLS’ MACE, WE CATCH UP WITH SIX WINNERS an academic, literary festival A TABLE TO DELIVER FROM THE VARIOUS DECADES TO FIND OUT HOW curator, broadcaster and speaker. MY SPEECH WHILE HE Helen Taylor Later that year I began studying Dorothy Byrne Michael Marmur THE COMPETITION SHAPED THEIR LIVES SHOUTED AT ME' PROFESSOR EMERITA, English at University College HEAD OF NEWS AND RABBI CURATOR & AUTHOR London, and after graduation CURRENT AFFAIRS, in Britain?’ When I began My friend Daniel and I had I think my partner and I were was awarded an ESU scholarship CHANNEL 4 speaking I took off my glasses an exciting time at the final the first all-girl team to progress at Louisiana State University, My convent school in and undid my hairband of The Observer Mace in 1980. beyond the regional contest. Baton Rouge. I spent two great Blackpool was not particularly – and we blasted them to We were both residents of The motion, presumably years there, becoming deeply academic, but the nuns thought smithereens. They were North London in those days, designed especially for us, involved in feminist and black I would make a good MP, surprised to see us win. We but for religious reasons we was ‘This house believes in politics, and falling in love with so encouraged me to enter the weren’t – we were passionate needed to stay nearer the equal pay for women’. I had southern literature, which I then Mace. The man they brought about the inequality of venue on the night following no idea women weren’t paid taught on my return to the UK. in to teach me had a rather education in Britain and the competition. A kind equally, so this was my first Debating teaches you to create unusual approach: I was made wanted to prove that we were family with an apartment in introduction to feminist issues, and shape arguments, to flex to stand on a table to deliver just as good as them. the Barbican agreed to host and made me a feminist for your intellectual muscles and my speech while he shouted It was an extraordinary us. While my memories of the life. I don’t remember much learn how to persuade and cajole. and swore at me. I was very confidence boost to have actual debate are somewhat about the event – but I recall It’s something all young people taken aback but he insisted I beaten all the top schools. fuzzy, I remember getting lost the thrill of having my photo should learn because whether carry on talking and shouted I went on to Manchester in the labyrinth of what was in The Observer [which ran the making a case against your local ‘Don’t let me intimidate you!’ University and then then a recently-constructed competition from 1957-1995], councillors or simply challenging It worked: my friend Frankie volunteered in Nigeria before building complex. being fêted for our female your friends, you need the Jordan and I beat Stonyhurst pursuing a career in the In the debate itself we were ALEX ORPIN triumph, and being interviewed skills to listen, respond and College at the regionals and media. When I worked at asked to oppose involvement of on the Today programme. make coherent arguments. My went on to the finals at City ITV I would sometimes be athletes in the soon-to-be-held The male presenter patronised experience in the competition of London School. shouted at by other journalists Moscow Olympic games, which me horribly, then asked ‘Don’t gave me the confidence to I remember there was a but I just told them I’d been America was threatening to you think boys might be put challenge people and fight dinner beforehand: us and trained to carry on talking! boycott. It was a good subject for off by your success?’ Thrown for what I believe is right. a lot of posh boys. We sat It saddens me to think a debate – topical, controversial, by this absurd question, quietly and I tied my hair that it is still mainly boys and one which could be argued I responded in a way that 'MY EXPERIENCE back and put on glasses, even at private schools who are convincingly on either side. made me the laughing-stock IN THE MACE though I didn’t need them. taught to debate. All children Daniel and I are still good of my fellow schoolgirls, saying: COMPETITION GAVE The boys made it clear they need to be able to figure out friends, and we still live close ‘Well that’s not the only thing ME THE CONFIDENCE thought we were pathetic arguments for and against to each other – in Jerusalem. they’re interested in’. I think TO CHALLENGE convent school girls. different topics, and to be able I am now a Reform rabbi and I my headmistress and parents PEOPLE AND FIGHT The motion was ‘Should to judge politicians on their serve as provost of an academic were shocked to the core. FOR WHAT I BELIEVE we allow the South African arguments. We are not in a institution which trains rabbis, DOROTHY BYRNE & AMANDA PRITCHARD BY INTERVIEWS This success was a wonderful IS RIGHT' cricket team to come to play post-truth world. cantors, educators, communal

16 Dialogue Magazine Spring 2017 Spring 2017 www.esu.org 17 Cold War The rise of China A question of faith schools The role of juries Fear, mistrust and the China’s unprecedented 30+-year In a multi-cultural society do Trial by jury is a fundamental possibility of total nuclear economic ‘miracle’ has fascinated faith schools enhance or tenet of the English legal system, destruction were defining observers and changed the divide community cohesion, dating back to Anglo-Saxon factors of the Cold War which geopolitical map. But does and do our attitudes towards times. But are ‘12 good men’ lasted from the late 40s to the it present opportunity – them depend on our own always the best approach? collapse of the USSR 1993 or threat – to the West? 2000 religious beliefs? 2014 And, if not, what is?

professionals and graduate I remember the motion was comedy, which requires a lot at the time, but it paid off, English-Speaking Union, students in Israel and North ‘This house regrets the end of the same skills: confidence, first in the England final, to ultimately defeating America. I use the ‘muscles’ of the Cold War’, but I can’t clarity and the crippling need opposing the motion ‘This South Africa and being I learnt to exercise in debating remember if we were for or to make strangers like you. house would abolish juries’, crowned world champions, just about every day – when against, or what I said at all. Tragically, in recent years, I’ve and then in the International it was an opportunity I feel I am teaching, delivering What I do know is that debating become serene and contented. Final in Edinburgh, where truly privileged to have sermons, participating in helped me become much more As a result, my comedy career we opposed the motion been granted. Since then, meetings, giving talks, Amanda Pritchard outward-focused. I started Abie Philbin Bowman has plummeted. Louis Collier ‘This house would abolish I’ve become a student at grappling with the issues I CHIEF EXECUTIVE, GUY’S reading The Economist and learnt COMEDIAN & JOURNALIST In 2005, I wrote a show ESU MENTOR & faith schools’, and defeated Oxford University, debating care most passionately about. AND ST THOMAS’ NHS so much through researching The competition happened called Jesus: The Guantanamo STUDENT AT THE the team from Scotland. sporadically, and have also Luckily, the competitive aspect FOUNDATION TRUST topics for debates. It stops you at a strange time in my life. Years. The basic premise was UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD In my final year at school, coached twice at Debate of debating is something I Debating and this competition being insular and makes you My older brother Jonathan that Jesus Christ returns to I started debating when I was I, along with three others Academy, a summer course have been able to leave behind. have had a huge impact on engage in the wider world. died that March. Eight Earth but He doesn’t get 11, largely because my older (one of them my Mace which I attended as a student. Rather, debating as a way of my life. I took part in 1993, Debating gave me confidence days later, I was scheduled through US immigration brother was a member of partner from the previous Taking up debating was working in a team: thinking just two years after my in standing in front of lots of to debate. The organisers – because he’s a bearded our school debating society. year), was selected to the one of the best decisions I’ve clearly, paying attention to the school, Durham Johnston people, thinking on my feet offered to let my partner and Middle Eastern guy, prepared With the help of a series of World Schools team to ever made. I’d urge everyone structure and elegance of an Comprehensive, had started a and responding to questions me qualify automatically for to die as a martyr. To my excellent coaches, I progressed represent England at the to try it; whether improving argument, making good use of debate club. It was unusual for I hadn’t prepared and it also the next round. I remember amazement, the show sold steadily, and was put on the 2014 World Championships your ability in interviews, language, asking yourself what a school so new to debating to helped me to be able to break clearly saying: ‘No. I’ve been out and then toured to Mace team in Year 12. The in Thailand. From worrying quashing a fear of public matters to you and the people have a team do so well. And we down issues, think them thinking about my brother’s London’s West End, the competition held particular that the tournament would speaking, or simply learning you are engaged with, listening were unusual in that we were through logically, and present death every waking moment USA and Pakistan (during appeal for several reasons: be cancelled because of a how to make good arguments closely to what is being said – the only comprehensive school my arguments coherently. for a week. I need something a state of emergency). it was one of the biggest Thai coup, to practising for and to always consider the these are skills that have stayed in the final and one of the only I’m now the Chief Executive constructive to focus on.’ My These days, I work as a tournaments of the year; the hours in the basement of the other side’s point of view, with me. ones in the competition. We of Guy’s and St Thomas’ brother was sharp, funny and reporter for arts shows on motions we pre-released, so the skills it teaches are A few weeks after we won, felt we beat the odds a little! NHS Foundation Trust, highly argumentative. So it children’s radio and Ireland’s the quality of speeches tended invaluable throughout life. our headmaster showed up at The whole experience was one of the largest providers was quite healing to honour national radio station, RTE 1 to be very high; and my 'FROM QUASHING For me personally, though, my home carrying a long bag, another world for me, in the of hospital and community him by doing something he and, once a week, I conduct brother had lost in the final FEARS OF PUBLIC debating has also given me which turned out to contain earlier rounds we competed in services in England, with £1.3 loved. ‘This House should Fear tours at the Little Museum the previous year. By the time SPEAKING TO unforgettable experiences: the mace itself. I don’t know schools that looked like castles. billion turnover and 15,000 China’ was the motion and we of Dublin, where I try to we reached the later stages of LEARNING HOW crushing lows, massive highs, if cricketers get to place the It didn’t ever occur to us to staff treating over 2 million were opposing, arguing that summarise 1,000 years of the tournament, my partner, TO MAKE GOOD and some of my closest urn with the ashes on their find it intimidating though patients a year. It’s a complex China could be a valuable ally. Irish history, with jokes. coach and I were spending ARGUMENTS, friends. I’m truly grateful mantelpiece during breakfast, – we just thought: ‘bring it on!’ strategic and operational role As a teenage boy in a Debating helped me entire weekends preparing our DEBATE TEACHES to everyone who helped me or footballers place the FA with competing agendas and single-sex school, debating to hone skills that I use speeches. It was exhausting INVALUABLE SKILLS' along the way. Cup next to their eggcup, but multiple stakeholders and was a fabulous way to meet every day. By far the most I can certainly recommend 'DEBATING GAVE I think the skills I learned interesting girls. A few important skill wasn’t dining in the presence of a ME CONFIDENCE by debating have helped me months after winning the arguing. It was listening. How prestigious trophy! The mace IN STANDING IN enormously. It’s important Mace, I went to university, else will you persuade your WHAT IS THE SCHOOLS’ MACE? was returned to the organisers FRONT OF LOTS OF to think through complexity and realised there were parents to let you stay up late Founded in 1957 by Kenneth Harris of The Observer newspaper, the Schools’ Mace after some time, but the skills PEOPLE, THINKING and not be overwhelmed by interesting girls everywhere. or your teachers to give you is the oldest and largest annual debating competition for secondary school students and friendships that went ON MY FEET AND it, which debating helps you In my first term, I gradually less homework? And how else in England. Students work in teams of two proposing or opposing pre-released motions. along with the process have RESPONDING TO to do. And relentless positive fell out of love with debating can you convince other people To find out more seeesu.org/schools-mace lasted a lifetime. QUESTIONS' energy helps too! but ended up in stand-up that they’re obviously wrong?

18 Dialogue Magazine Spring 2017 Spring 2017 www.esu.org 19 OPINION

and the significance of vocabulary and in formidable university venues, such as the doing so, I have become obsessed with the debating chambers at Oxford, Cambridge idea that we have a duty to teach to the and Durham. We still do this, travelling ‘word poor’ the insights and habits of the to 20 or so competitions each year, with ‘OUR VOCABULARY ‘word rich’. Because Helen implicitly knew different groups of students aged 14 to 19. something about the link between In those early days, I spoke to a veteran IS IN ITSELF A language and power. That is, in our culture debating coach whose independent day GATEWAY TO BRINGING A – in schools, for example – the child who school boys routinely crushed every team writes ‘In the book the writer says…’ can against whom they competed. Their talent SUCCESS’ easily be judged as less intelligent than the to be able to take any topic, regardless of experience and making it accessible to one who writes ‘In the novel the author debating position (opening government, youngsters who may not have a dining suggests…’. ‘Novel’ is more specific than closing opposition), and then, after just table in their house, let alone daily ‘book’; ‘suggests’ is more analytical than 15 minutes of closed preparation time, to conversations across it with an adult. ‘says’. This the word rich know. weave compelling, lucid, unimpeachable In bringing a debating culture into Thus precision in vocabulary – not speeches – this mesmerised me. school, especially a state school, we bring INTO SCHOOL IS AN ACT OF simply big words for their own sake – is a I asked the coach: ‘How do you train our students into contact with a culture proxy for knowledge and understanding, them to do this?’ Over-modestly, but they might not otherwise encounter. It’s for the way people judge us and for our revealingly, she replied: ‘I don’t. They an act of social liberation. personal ability to express ideas about the are north London boys who spend each world. And it matters in speaking as much breakfast and evening meal sitting at the THE POWER OF WORDS as it does in writing, especially where talk kitchen table arguing with their parents In terms of the impact of debating on is being used publicly – for persuasion and about what’s in the Daily Telegraph. students’ oracy, here are my insights. First, performance. So part of my mission over Why wouldn’t they win?’ debating has a specific vocabulary. It has a the past 10 years has been to apply this Thus my interest in debating is to do formality. It moves us linguistically to forms interest in the arena traditionally what we can to recreate that culture of of speaking that carry prestige – to words dominated by the word rich, often by those conversation, of controlled verbal dispute, that matter, and forms of delivery that are from more privileged backgrounds. It’s my of connecting abstract ideas to our own associated with successful communication. fascination with competitive debating. Some of this is about vocabulary. By its Note, this isn’t public speaking. It isn’t nature debating will use more Latinate teaching young people to write a well- vocabulary – suggest over says. It will bring crafted speech, to learn it by heart, and with it abstract concepts relating to justice, then to deliver it to an audience. That’s an or human rights, or hypothetical concepts important skill. But to my mind, debating of what we should ban or unban. matters more. Debating also embeds a habit of Because debating unleashes thinking. Geoff Barton formality. For example, it takes fillers like It celebrates the ability to analyse. It’s more BIOGRAPHY ‘er’ and ‘you know’ and replaces them with Not all schools have equal access to debate. Head teacher Geoff Barton makes an impassioned spontaneous. It channels an ability to mannered but high status fillers – such as Since 2002, Geoff Barton has been decide what matters, which arguments ‘ladies and gentlemen’. The student who is case for why they should, and we look at the ways in which the ESU is tackling the issue head teacher of King Edward VI count, and then trains us to express those asked to speak about why school uniform School, Bury St Edmunds, an uring my first year at a as though I was being deliberately dim. wilderness’ more descriptive than ‘sky’. views in a mode of language that will win is a good or bad idea might start: ‘Blazers 11-18 comprehensive school of comprehensive school in Leeds, ‘It means the sun was shining.’ In this instance, she was wrong. Her our case and impress those who judge us. and ties, ladies and gentlemen, might make 1,600 students. He has written and a Year 10 student handed in the It was terrible writing but it showed language was clumsy, overblown, self- In no other area of school life can we pay adults feel happier, but they have nothing first draft of some descriptive that Helen sensed something that I’ve consciously otiose. But look at the sentence a greater service to the word poor than edited more than 100 books on to do with the quality of education’. writing. D I read the opening sentence. It continued to explore since – that our I’ve just written. Look at the peacock-style by initiating them into an activity grammar and literacy. He is a trustee We know that in colloquial, everyday went something like this: ‘The golden orb vocabulary is in itself a gateway to success. expression I’ve used – a level of linguistic traditionally dominated by the word rich. of the National Literacy Association talk, fillers are a key feature. We know that beat down from amid the azure wilderness’. For her, big words were better than little showing off that isn’t that much different When I first became interested in and was appointed a ‘Leading coordinated sentences dominate (sentences ‘Erm, what does this mean, Helen?’ I asked. words. A ‘golden orb’ was more redolent from Helen’s. debating, I’d take the teams from my Thinker’ for the National Education in which clauses are linked by coordinating Fifteen-year-old Helen peered at me with meaning than ‘sun’ and an ‘azure I’ve since read widely on cultural literacy comprehensive school to competitions at Trust. He teaches English. conjunctions such as ‘and’ and ‘but’).

20 Dialogue Magazine Spring 2017 Spring 2017 www.esu.org 21 OUR WORK ‘DEBATING ALLOWS YOUNG DONATE POEPLE TO PRACTISE MODES OF LANGUAGE WHICH

CARRY PRESTIGE AND WHICH The ESU works hard to provide training BUILD CONFIDENCE THAT in and opportunities for debate for all TRANSLATES INTO ENHANCED young people around the country, giving SOCIAL SKILLS’ them the skills and confidence that can DEBATE ACADEMY change their lives. With your help, we Debate Academy is a week-long This is how we speak. We know that more can do even more. residential summer school open to informal prosodic features such as uptalk students aged 14-18, whatever their level – in which there’s an upward intonation at DISCOVER YOUR VOICE of debating experience. World-class the end of sentences – are associated with WORKSHOPS coaching, illuminating lectures and fun everyday language. Our fun, engaging full- and half-day social activities ensure that students leave But we also know that these linguistic workshops for both primary and confident, inspired and with a host of features are not generally associated with secondary schools develop students’ new friends from all over the world. prestige. The language of power tends to ability to formulate and share their £250 funds a bursary for a young person prize precision, fluency, formality. opinions confidently, helping them to to attend Debate Academy. Debating therefore allows young people to think critically, build cohesive practise modes of language which carry such arguments, and improving their delivery, SCHOOLS’ MACE prestige – the words, phrases, sentences and listening and response skills. The English-Speaking Union’s Schools’ rhetorical devices which build confidence that £400+VAT funds a half-day Discover Mace is the oldest and largest debating translates into enhanced social skills and, in Your Voice workshop at a school. competition for secondary schools in my experience, into an ability to be able to England, with over 300 schools taking write better, as the mind becomes trained to DISCOVER DEBATING part. Working in teams of two, students This term’s structure ideas and express them more Discover Debating is a one-, two- or often develop life-long friendships as they powerfully, more formally and more precisely. three-term teaching programme which deepen their knowledge of world affairs It’s why debate as a form should feature develops Key Stage 2 students’ ability and sharpen their critical thinking, TEACHING DEFENDING THE INDEFENSIBLE to communicate effectively and to think speech-writing and public speaking. from time to time in every classroom in every OVERVIEW subject, on every extra-curricular activity list critically and, crucially, builds their Entry is only £30 per school, This game introduces students to Response. OBJECTIVES and – crucially – in school assemblies. confidence. Discover Debating can but any donations help us further Students get used to disagreement as RESOURCE something that is part of the activity, rather • To relax, and to practice making Assemblies matter because students can then kick-start a debating culture in a school, our educational work. than something that has any implications of arguments for a position you may not personal animosity. agree with see that it’s not just crusty, ageing blokes like ensuring a legacy of intelligent discussion This activity also offers the opportunity for • To practice thinking of new ideas students to approach it in a fun, creative quickly me who can use powerful words in persuasive for years to come. HOUSE OF LORDS DEBATE earning how to agree to disagree is a key part way, as well as on a more serious level. ways, but it’s also people like them, of their £600+VAT funds Discover Debating Each year the House of Lords opens its of debating and this fun teaching resource RESOURCES age and their background. in a primary school. door to students and others for a lively helps students to do just that. Aimed at Key Some topics, e.g. L The world is flat In doing this, I believe, we give our debate about important social and political Stage 3 and above, it invites students to defend a We should ban the colour blue No-one should be allowed to play students a huge linguistic advantage, questions. The ESU offers this opportunity number of indefensible statements, with the aim football opening doors into a new, often unfamiliar to state/maintained schools and works with of helping them to understand that disagreement TASK Chocolate is terrible mode of self-expression. With that comes the House of Lords to deliver the debate need not be personal or acrimonious. Students can Give each student an apparently indefensible statement. You don’t need a unique topic for every single student, but it’s good to have a variety in the class. greater self-confidence in responding to the model and train the speakers. brainstorm alone or in pairs and present to small Students now have 5 minutes to think of ways to defend their statement. When the 5 minutes is up, select students or ask for volunteers to ‘defend the indefensible’ in front of the class. world and in expressing views about it. There is no cost to the schools, groups ahead of a full-class presentation. Tip: And with that more young people are but any donations help us further More shy students may be willing to speak in front of small groups, even if they are not yet our educational work. ready to try making a speech in front of the class. To facilitate this, split the class into groups inducted into modes of communication of four or five. Prepare in advance five “indefensible” statements so that each member of the and linguistic habits through which they To make a donation*, please contact FURTHER INFORMATION group can have a different prompt. After students have had 5 minutes to think of ways to defend their statements, ask them to give these defences in their small groups. After all can feel on a par with, and no longer [email protected] To download the full resource please visit esu.org/ students have presented, ask each group to nominate one person to speak in front of the class. You can also introduce a feedback element here, by asking the group to prepare their inferior to, the word rich around them. teachingresources. An extract is shown, right. nominated speaker with constructive comments. This is an edited extract fromSpeaking FURTHER INFORMATION These resources are aimed at helping teachers Frankly, a publication produced in support *It’s not just about debate of course! The ESU also runs public speaking and to teach speech, debate and performance in the of the new Oracy Network. Find it online performance workshops and competitions, as well as a host of cultural exchanges and classroom as part of their regular lessons. at oracynetwork.org scholarships. To find out more or to contribute to any of these, please see esu.org

22 Dialogue Magazine Spring 2017 Spring 2017 www.esu.org 23 INTERVIEW INTERVIEW

for state schools in inner London, soon found are other, equally vital outcomes that are themselves at Buckingham Palace being overlooked. ‘I think the link to academic LEWIS IWU introduced to Prince Philip. achievement is underplayed,’ he says. ‘Debating Biography FORWARD MOTION More national contests followed before had a notable effect on my essay writing – being Lewis tried out for and won a place on Team able to analyse quantities of source material, England, an experience he now credits with to organise your thoughts relatively quickly 2015-PRESENT A World University Debating Champion, World Schools’ Team England coach and now influencing his successful application to Oxford in a structured way and produce a coherent Director, director of the Fair Education Alliance, Lewis Iwu is a firm believer in the transformative University, his choice of subject (Philosophy, argument – all these things are invaluable in Fair Education Alliance Politics and Economics) and his idea that he any essay-based subject.’ 2011-2013, power of debate. He tells Dialogue his story, and where he thinks we should go from here might want to be involved in public policy The subjects covered in debating encourage 2015-PRESENT campaigns in some way. ‘All of a sudden a deeper knowledge of the world and foreign National Debate Coach, WORDS NATASHA GOODFELLOW my debating partner and I were spending affairs, something Lewis believes helps prepare Team England more time with our debating peers than we students for interviews for university and the 2013-2015 were with our school friends, partly because job market beyond – where debating can also Account director, ewis Iwu is drawing a pie chart of you realise the amount of time that goes into we were going to competitions every Saturday play a more concrete role. ‘I think poor careers Brunswick Group how he spends his time. As you – and this venture alone: he and Andrew spent every but also because they were interesting people. advice and a lack of understanding of how to L certainly his employer – would expect, other weekend for a year coaching, discussed Particularly among the private schools we navigate what is a complex labour market is 2011-2013 his job as director of the Fair Education tactics and the team’s performance for around visited, there was an expectation that one of the biggest barriers to social mobility,’ Trainee lawyer, Alliance, which works to reduce educational an hour a day on the phone, plus took two and everyone would apply for says Lewis. ‘Debating Slaughter & May inequality, takes up most of his time. But a a half weeks off work for the tournament… Oxbridge – it made us gives you access to a ‘It’s more about being 2010 significant chunk – well over a quarter, if not In total Lewis estimates he spent well over raise our game.’ network of contacts ESU US debate tour quite a third – is devoted to debate in various 1,000 hours on the project. They were spending able to unleash the and mentors who can forms: either through his coaching of Team Not everybody would be willing to commit more time with university help you.’ 2009-2011 England (which he does for the ESU along so much time and energy to an unpaid students too, debating potential of young Inevitably, there are National Debate Coach, with co-coach Andrew Fitch), or through venture, but then not everybody believes as against them and then people and giving barriers. ‘I think there’s UAE mentoring schemes he runs for Debate Mate, a passionately as Lewis in the transformational socialising with them a perception debating disadvantaged kids 2008-2009 charity he helped set up which aims to improve power of debate. Lewis’s first introduction afterwards. ‘You start is only for bright kids,’ President of Oxford social mobility through debate. Only a tiny to debate was at school, an East London to learn more about the ability to navigate says Lewis. ‘I’ve never University Student Union sliver is ‘downtime’ – a chance for Lewis to comprehensive, where he remembers his university life, and to thought that; I think enjoy a game of football or to relax and listen science teacher ‘dragging him’ to the staff think more deeply about the world’ all abilities benefit, and 2008 to the soul and R&B music he loves. room to talk to the teacher in charge of the what you might want to many teachers have told Wins World Universities While many 30 year olds might bemoan ESU-run debate club, suggesting study,’ says Lewis. ‘I think debating pushes me that kids who struggle with written work Debating Championships this state of affairs, Lewis seems to thrive on his talkativeness might you to think laterally about the world and your embrace debating.’ The anecdotal nature of for Oxford with partner it. ‘Helping Team England win the World be a boon. place in it – it requires you to be a self-starter.’ this information is another problem. ‘Debating Samir Deger-Sen Schools Debating Championship last summer ‘I didn’t know Now, as director of the FEA, Lewis’s mission is not an evidence-rich area,’ says Lewis. 2006 was probably one of the best things I’ve ever anything about it,’ is to close the gap in educational inequality, ‘I think it’s right to look at the effects of ESU Japan debate tour been part of,’ he says. ‘It was incredible – says Lewis, ‘except a task in which he believes debate can play debating on kids with learning difficulties, (see page 34 for more absolutely incredible. There’s something about that you stood up and a key part, helping to reduce the attainment and on how debating affects your chances of information) working with five kids, all from very different had an argument.’ What gap, increase employability and boost young getting a good apprenticeship or of getting into schools, all with different backgrounds and did appeal to the sports-mad people’s self-esteem. ‘When I was younger I a Russell Group university for example.’ He 2005-2008 BA (Hons) in Philosophy, different personalities, and getting them teenager, however, was the competitive liked the competition and the clash of debating sees it as the task of Debate Mate, the ESU and Politics & Economics, together to work as a team and to compete aspect. ‘I was fascinated that our school would but now, for me, it’s more about being able other organisations such as Noisy Classroom New College, Oxford internationally. And to do it in Stuttgart, not just debate internally but against other to unleash the potential of young people to work together to marshal this evidence to the city where I failed 12 years ago [the team schools – that was the bit I really enjoyed.’ and giving disadvantaged kids the ability to tell a compelling story. ‘Imagine if by 2020 2005-2006 Lewis was part of in 2004 lost out to Australia Hooked, he made rapid progress and was navigate the world.’ every child had access to a great debating club National Debate Coach, in the semi-finals] – even better!’ Such selected for the first team who, as a result of While increased confidence is undoubtedly at school irrespective of their ability,’ he says. Hong Kong positivity is all the more astonishing when winning the ESU/TESCO Debate Challenge a benefit of debating, Lewis believes there ‘I think that would be transformative.’

24 Dialogue Magazine Spring 2017 Spring 2017 www.esu.org 25 OUR WORK OUR WORK

THE STUDENT’S PERSPECTIVE Patrick Clarke, St. Francis Xavier’s College, Liverpool ‘I enjoy debates like this because I enjoy talking about the subjects; they’re interesting to me. I get the chance to discuss SPEAKING IN them at home but in school we’re just studying compulsory subjects, so extra curricular activities like this are very stimulating. It’s a great way to meet new people, too. I’ve made tons and tons of mates from debating over the years – from different backgrounds, different parts THE HOUSE of the country, different schools – it has really rounded me as an individual. Debating is a skill that naturally leads to a career in law because as a barrister you might have to defend something you don’t believe in but, more than anything, what I The House of Lords Chamber Event is one think debating does is to educate you on the pros and cons of various arguments so you don’t have an entrenched view on anything. You’re aware of other ideas surrounding of the highlights of the ESU’s year, bringing an issue, which means your opinion is a lot more informed and developed.’ together young people and members of civic

organisations for a unique intergenerational THE PARTNER ORGANISATION’S PERSPECTIVE THE DEBATING CHAMBER OF THE HOUSE OF LORDS WITH CATIE PEDEN FROM MALONE COLLEGE, Samah Bushra, migrant to the UK from Sudan, BELFAST (LEFT), MAKING HER CONTRIBUTION debate, as Natasha Goodfellow discovers representing Migrants Organise ‘I am here today because I’m participating in the Community Leadership Academy run by Migrants Organise, and this was one of the he red leather benches are packed, country, the ESU has provided coaching fascinating. Some speakers display great opportunities offered. I was interested because while in Sudan, where I studied at the Lord Speaker is seated upon for representatives from each organisation, showmanship, playing to the crowd: the University of Khartoum, I was chased, beaten and put in detention for speaking Tthe woolsack in front of the gilded and selected speakers to create three teams 17-year-old Keir Sharp, from Newham out and demonstrating against price rises of basic goods, so I feel very lucky to throne and the atmosphere is tense with of three to argue different perspectives on Sixth Form College, stands, hand on hip, as have the opportunity to speak in favour of free speech in the House of Lords. I feel anticipation. But this is no ordinary day the motion: that there should be no limits he announces – ‘not monitoring free speech strongly that different voices and diversity are very important to the development in the chamber at the House of Lords. For to free speech, that it should be censored is as reckless as not putting a speed limit of a country, to get the best of every point of view. only the 10th time in its history, today the and that it should be monitored. ‘We aim on a car.’ Others such as Gareth Shephard, I was mentored by Toks Hussain from the ESU and found his advice very useful. chamber is filled not with lords debating for a diverse and balanced group to ensure mentored a debate at the House of Lords here with Speaker’s Corner Trust, speak My speech was originally based on the historical significance of debate but, given bills, but with members of the public: is probably more important,’ laughs ESU movingly of their own experiences: the we had just three minutes to speak, he recommended I focus on my personal predominantly secondary school students, ‘The pace is fast, with mentor Jonny Allain-Labon) is all that Disability Discrimination Act (now experience which had more impact.’ but also charity workers and supporters remains before the participants file into the the Equality Act) was instrumental in here to debate the motion ‘Should there be a constant sea of hands chamber. An initial vote gauges the mood allowing his parents to speak out against limits to freedom of speech in the UK?’ of those wishing to make of the room (Censor it: 20; Monitor it: 86; the mistreatment he received at secondary THE MENTOR’S PERSPECTIVE It’s a rare opportunity, and a palpable No limits: 79) before the Lord Speaker school. Others revel in the rhythm and Constance Collard, ESU Ambassador to the North-East privilege for everyone present, not least the their contribution’ invites Patrick Clarke of St. Francis cadence of their words, such as Robert ‘I took part in this debate myself when I was 16 – I remember ESU staff and mentors who have trained the Xavier’s College, Liverpool, to begin the Sharpe of English PEN when he declares quoting Winston Churchill and thinking I was very important – so I 200+ participants over the last five months. that voices from a variety of backgrounds debate. The pace is fast, with a constant ‘Free speech is a dialogue – and no one gets know what the kids are going through. I was quite intimidated but incredibly excited These include nine schools from across and experiences will have the opportunity sea of hands from those wishing to make to have the last word’. because I could tell people I was speaking in the House of Lords. the UK, selected by the ESU back in July, to be heard in the chamber,’ says the ESU’s their contribution, but dialogue is always Not competitive in the sense of many This time, I held a mentoring day at Framwellgate School in Durham for about 16 along with five partner organisations (38 Anna England-Kerr. ‘And those not selected polite, with students arguing for different debates, it all hangs on the closing vote or 17 students who’d had a year’s debating practice. There was a lot of division in the Degrees, Speaker’s Corner Trust, Migrants still have the chance to take part by making viewpoints congratulating each other after and there’s a real sense of excitement as the classroom at the start of the day, so it was great to go from that to a position where, Organise, Newham Sixth Form College and prepared speeches or short impromptu they’ve spoken. Yes, their shaking hands hands are counted. The result? Censor it: by the end, everyone was able to back up their opinions with reasons and evidence. English PEN) nominated by the House of contributions during the debate.’ and deep exhalations on finishing betray 16; Monitor it: 75; No limits: 98 – a swing I think the House of Lords debate will be something the kids here can always refer Lords’ Outreach team. Through a series of A final morning’s coaching (‘I do have their nerves – but who wouldn’t be nervous? of +19. Freedom of speech wins, by no back to, something that helps them stand out from the crowd. I put it on my personal talking and training days held around the a lecture today but being able to say I’ve The variety of delivery styles is small margin. statement for university, for example.’

26 Dialogue Magazine Spring 2017 Spring 2017 www.esu.org 27 HISTORY OUR WORK

Lord Fowler’s tips on Where would we be without PUBLIC SPEAKING FREE SPEECH? One ABOVE: ROBERT SHARPE OF ENGLISH PEN Don’t worry if you are nervous THREE SPEECHES THAT CHANGED THE WORLD TAKES TO THE FLOOR TO MAKE A POINT, RIGHT: DILAXIHA RAJENDRAN AND JAKE – we’re all nervous before speeches, PETTMAN FROM THE ANGMERING SCHOOL, SUSSEX, GET IN SOME PRACTICE BEFORE every one of us. I was in the THE DEBATE BEGINS Commons and Lords for 46 years and I’m still nervous before any speech. I don’t know whether they’re THE LORD SPEAKER’S PERSPECTIVE right or wrong but some people say The Rt Hon. the Lord Fowler unless you are nervous then you ‘I thought the standard of debate was extremely high and I was thinking, don’t make a good speech, so that’s sitting on the woolsack, that I was not at all sure that my generation something to think about would have done as well as these young people did. Here we are in this amazingly ornate chamber and I don’t think anyone seemed overawed by the surroundings. In fact, they spoke like professionals of many years’ standing. All were excellent, some were quite Two outstanding – and they all kept to their time much better than politicians do! Try and look relaxed – even if you Being able to speak in public is a very substantial advantage to have – it’s good for aren’t – there’s a bit of acting about interviews for getting into universities, for getting jobs and certainly will stand you in good public speaking and part of that is to stead in almost any occupation you choose to follow. The ability to speak in public also look as relaxed as you can MARTIN LUTHER KING EMMELINE PANKHURST HARVEY MILK transfers into an ability to argue in public and I’ve learnt that if you’re trying to implement a change, that is a very useful skill. No reform, no change is worth doing unless you are ‘I have a dream’ ‘We are here, not because we are ‘Unless you open the walls of opposed and as long as you can argue your case through, then it can be successful. Three law-breakers; we are here in our dialogue, you can never reach Debating also gives you the ability to argue both sides of a topic which is useful as No one minds a bit of spirit. Don’t feel efforts to become law-makers’ to change people’s opinion’ long as you don’t become a professional who changes their views just to fit in with your embarrassed to put feeling into what On 28th August 1963, Martin Luther boss. You have to be fairly sturdy about it all.’ you’re saying – that’s what it’s all about King marched with a quarter of a million people in Washington for what was to In the nineteenth century women had Harvey Milk delivered his ‘Hope’ speech become one of the largest rallies for no vote and the efforts to remedy this in 1978 in a reaction against the latest THE TEACHER’S PERSPECTIVE Four human rights in the US. His speech on became the focus of women’s struggle for anti-LGBT backlash. Elected onto the Clare Boughey, St. Francis Xavier’s College, Liverpool Don’t be overwhelmed by your that day became one of the most famous equality. In 1903, Emmeline Pankhurst San Francisco Board of Supervisors in ‘The boys have had so many opportunities through debating. Northern inner cities can surroundings, no matter how ornate. in history. Today, that demonstration set up the Women’s Social and Political 1977, Milk helped to defeat a state-wide be quite insular, but they have become so well travelled and confident. If they aspire Admire them and then regard the is attributed with contributing to Union (WSPU) and while some proposition to limit LGBT employment to go to Oxford, well, they’ve spoken in the Oxford Union; they’ve beaten teams from space as a school hall or any other the passing of the Civil Rights Act of historians argue against the WSPU’s rights. Tragically Milk was assassinated Eton – they’re not going to be phased by anyone they might meet on interview day. room you’re familiar with 1964 which banned discrimination on tactics, Pankhurst is recognised as a 11 months after he was elected to office, They were actually a bit disappointed to discover that they wouldn’t be competing the basis of race, religion, colour, sex and crucial element in achieving women’s however, his activism and refusal to hide against other schools in this debate, as it’s the competitive element that they like, but national origin in the workplace; ended suffrage in Britain. Her many powerful his sexuality resulted in a wave of civic then the historic setting and what is probably a once-in-a-lifetime-opportunity to Five racial segregation in schools, work and speeches highlighted the political activists fighting for sexual equality. speak at the House of Lords is excitement enough. Don’t worry if you make a mistake – we public places, and set the ball rolling injustice women endured in Britain and I think debate has given them a voice they probably don’t have elsewhere at school. In a all do – you can normally smile it out for full racial equality. on 2nd July 1928, two weeks after state comprehensive with 32 to a class, it’s difficult for the students to give extended answers

NATASHA MCGOWAN NATASHA Pankhurst died, the vote was extended to and be listened to. Debating gives them the chance to talk politics and international relations For more on Lord Fowler, all women over 21 years of age. and it’s a real challenge for them, a challenge that they wouldn’t normally have.’ turn to page 54 WORDS

28 Dialogue Magazine Spring 2017 Spring 2017 www.esu.org 29 DEBATE DEBATE

This House Believes...

that their view will go away; instead it OPPOSITION will fester inside their mind rather than Huw Spanner, writer and editor of highprofiles.info. seeing the opportunity to be rationally Huw made this speech on behalf of 38 Degrees, one debated and discussed. Indeed of the UK’s largest campaigning communities, at the FREEDOM OF SPEECH SHOULD HAVE censorship removes the opportunity to House of Lords Chamber Event confront such opinions, to persuade and explain to the person holding them why Just over a year ago, I was very nervous. between two fearsome dangers. On one their opinion is incorrect. I was preparing to meet a notorious side is a huge whirlpool; on the other, Silencing someone will never cause advocate for Islamic State in Britain, to a hungry six-headed monster. There is their opinion to change, debate will. interview him for a Christian magazine. no way to pass between them unscathed. NO LIMITS Many important debates have taken I knew we could be accused of helping If Odysseus keeps a safe distance from one, place in this great house and its near him to promote his inflammatory ideas. he comes within reach of the other. I wanted to expose their rottenness, but It’s a good metaphor, I think, for what we ran the risk of only giving them more we’ve been debating today. The idea of ‘Silencing someone will exposure. But how can you oppose unlimited free speech sounds so something unless you understand it, enlightened, so exhilarating. So seductive. never cause their opinion and how can you understand it unless Like the whirlpool, it will pull us in and to change, debate will.’ you give it a hearing? pull us down if we don’t keep our distance. In the event, the interview never took But what’s the alternative? The law – and PROPOSITION people don’t respect the idea. That is why place – it turned out the man had just the shadowy agencies that enforce it. And James Thompson, free speech is important: because in our neighbour. Many of these debates have been arrested. Today, he’s in prison, it may be no exaggeration to see them as St. Francis Xavier’s democracy we respect a person’s right been controversial, explosive, emotive, convicted of inciting support for a a hungry monster – and getting hungrier. College, Liverpool, to have a different point of view – the inspirational and historic. Some have even proscribed organisation. If I say I am glad Like Odysseus, I believe we can only and speaker at the foundation of our democracy is that we are changed the world. about this, you might think my position stay vigilant and try to minimise our House of Lords Chamber Event, able to freely discuss and debate whether In order for a debate to exist there must contradictory. So, let me explain. losses. We must resist the pull of the idea from which this speech is taken this viewpoint is worth pursuing. be a counterpoint, an alternative or an I don’t believe in censorship. I would that we should all be free to say what we Freedom of speech has allowed the rise argument. In order for this to exist still encourage thoughtful people to try like; but we must be equally mindful of Words are the most powerful weapon in of some very controversial political there must be confidence that to understand Islamic State’s apocalyptic the dangers of clamping down debate. today’s society. Words are more powerful candidates. We have recently seen the one will be given the worldview. I would still engage with Given that we cannot escape unscathed, than guns and bullets. They are more success of the US President winning his opportunity to make a their advocate if I could. But, I propose that our least harmful course powerful because they allow us to spread campaign with views and policies which statement with which reluctantly, I accept that it’s sensible is to allow the authorities to monitor the ideas and concepts that can destroy and many find unacceptable in modern society. people might not agree. for the authorities to silence him. debate and intervene if (and only if) it is establish entire nations. In 2010 the However he had the platform to make such Without that, this grand You see, I also don’t believe in an absolutely necessary. Tunisian government was ousted in the comments under the banner of free speech which many may find uncompromising, chamber would become absolute right to free speech. I don’t But we should allow it reluctantly and Jasmine Revolution because people spoke and, as I have mentioned already, words are disturbing, even abhorrent. However we nothing more than an believe that any of us are entitled to say with all our wits about us. to each other over social media and decided extremely powerful. need to hear these views in order to form echo chamber. whatever we damn well please. Our spannermedia.com that the country needed to become a That is the real power of free speech, it our own opinion of them, to debate them In our world the best ideas can be right to express ourselves is qualified democracy. The Tunisian government could allows anybody to come up with an idea and to explain to their proponents why expressed and put into action and by other people’s right to be protected HAVE YOUR SAY not keep these ideas from spreading because and discuss it even when that idea is amoral they are wrong. And we can only do this the worst ideas can be debated from deceit, manipulation, abuse, We’d love to hear your opinion – censorship doesn’t make these ideas go away. or controversial. Words used can provoke in a society which allows free speech. and discredited. That is why intimidation. please email [email protected] or tweet If you destroy an idea it can never responses that stir the human soul to its very If we destroy a person’s freedom to free speech should have In Homer’s Odyssey, the sailor @theesu and we’ll feature a selection of propagate because you’ve proved that core, often conjuring ideas and concepts communicate their view it does not mean no limits. Odysseus finds he has to steer a course responses in the next issue.

30 Dialogue Magazine Spring 2017 Spring 2017 www.esu.org 31 OUR WORK

THE VOLUNTEER Marie Stanikowski, 32 information about the refugee crisis from the news, it seems abstract and remote Why did you decide to get involved despite the shocking magnitude of the From strangers to friends in the programme? facts. Getting to know the people affected I had been keen to support refugees for and hearing their stories and dreams, and Working with human rights charity the Helen Bamber Foundation, the ESU’s quite some time. I immigrated here myself understanding that they are no different from Germany and can relate to how from us is a very important lesson. Experience English programme pairs Londoners with survivors of extreme cruelty daunting and isolating the city can feel who have recently arrived in the UK to help them settle in to life here. We speak sometimes, even though I had a strong In your opinion, how do English language to a volunteer and client to see how the scheme benefited them both support network and none of the issues that programmes like Experience English help refugees face when coming here. I first read their beneficiaries? about Experience English in Time Out and I have lived in the US and in Italy for a while THE CLIENT knew right away that I wanted to be part and came to the UK from Germany five Narjes, 27 but Jules very nicely explained that she of it so I felt very lucky to be selected as years ago so I have experienced first-hand was here to help me. a volunteer after my interview. how important it is for your confidence and How did you hear about the Experience sense of belonging to be able to speak the English programme? How did the programme unfold for you? What did you enjoy most about same language as the people around you. I came to London from Iran in 2014 I heard from other people on the the volunteer programme? If you can’t communicate, you are likely and was referred to the Helen Bamber programme that they usually met their On one level I found it fulfilling to be able to feel isolated, frustrated, even depressed. Foundation. I was seeing a therapist buddies in coffee shops but Jules and I went to build a relationship with someone whom Speaking English is the first step to being there who suggested that I should to visit places all over London: The British I knew I might be able to help by improving able to rebuild a new life in the UK. The take a therapeutic art class as well as Museum, the Shard, the Barbican, the their language skills and just being a friendly importance of this can’t be stressed enough. English classes. It was while I was doing Olympic park. Jules said she tried to choose face in London. But on another level, I English classes that I was told about this the best places to see in our 10 sessions genuinely enjoyed getting to know my Cultural exchange is a core tenet of the programme where volunteers would meet and also she was trying to teach me how buddy and spending time with him and ESU’s mission. How important do you with you one-to-one. to find my way around the city. discovering new places in London together. think this is in today’s world? He loves animals so we went to Vauxhall The world is getting smaller and yet there’s Why did you decide to take part? What stands out? City Farm, for example. Or we visited the a parallel trend towards nationalisation and I was initially reluctant. London was like Two places – the Shard and the British V&A, where he had never been and I hadn’t the strengthening of borders everywhere you hell for me. Because of the horrible things Museum. I passed the Shard every been in years. He has quite a cheeky sense look. Cultural exchange is one of the most that happened to me I was without my month when I had to go and sign in as of humour so we shared lots of laughs and powerful antidotes to this. If I understand family, without my job, I knew no-one. an asylum seeker at the Home Office and never ran out of things to talk about. someone else’s culture, history, and I had no confidence at all, but I forced it reminded me of the Milad Tower in mentality, I can build a strong relationship myself to go. Tehran, where I’d spent a happy day out How important do you think programmes with them, be open to their issues, and be with my family once. When I told Jules, like Experience English are today, in light more likely to support them when they are How was the first session? she suggested we go there. I loved it but of the refugee crisis? in need. Language is at the very basis of this We all met at the Helen Bamber it was an emotional experience, which I think they’re hugely important. The – without a shared language, there can be no Foundation. We sat in a room and one Jules comforted me through. I also loved majority of refugees are traumatised, cultural exchange or understanding. by one were introduced to our ‘buddies’. the British Museum. Standing beneath frightened, and exhausted when they get to I was one of the last so had to wait to see the glass roof there I felt so small – friend. I have found two ears that listen How important are programmes like this? their destination in the UK or elsewhere, FURTHER INFORMATION who had been paired with me but when visiting Persepolis in Iran I experienced to me if I’m happy, or if I’m sad; someone From my own experience, I’d say they and direct, welcoming human contact To volunteer or to find out more Jules came in I could see immediately she a similar feeling of grandeur. to hear me. Our friendship has continued are extremely important. When I arrived, can make the world of difference. But it about Experience English please email was lovely. We introduced ourselves and beyond the programme and Jules has I couldn’t trust anyone outside the Helen works both ways: if you get all of your [email protected] or call 020 7529 1572. started talking. My English was fairly What did you get out of the experience? asked me to call her if I face any difficulty. Bamber Foundation. The only people I poor. I’d learnt some at school in Iran and My English improved and because my I have gained official refugee status now COLLINS STEPHEN spoke to were the staff and my interpreter had been given a list of key phrases in the travel expenses were covered I was able to but if I need help opening a bank account and I was incredibly lonely. Left to my own The Helen Bamber Foundation is a human rights charity providing therapeutic care, medical consultation, legal protection and practical support to survivors of human rights violations. safe-house when I arrived. I remember I visit many interesting places in London. or making a doctor’s appointment, I know devices, I doubt I would ever have found Find out more at helenbamber.org

kept apologising for not understanding But the main thing I gained was a good she’s there. ILLUSTRATION such a friend as Jules. She’s an angel.

32 Dialogue Magazine Spring 2017 Spring 2017 www.esu.org 33 CULTURAL EXCHANGE

What did you learn? MATT NOCK I enjoyed learning about Japanese Student at the University of Surrey culture from a Japanese perspective, WAY OUT EAST since Japanese culture is so often What aspects of Japanese culture misrepresented in the Western media impressed you most? Since 1922, the ESU has sent skilled speech and debate mentors to all corners of the globe on as outlandish or bizarre. I also enjoyed The respectful manner in which people international debating tours to coach school students, teachers and competition organisers, as well as finding out about how my generation behaved towards one another, even in to give show debates. In 2016, ESU mentors visited Denmark, the USA, and Japan, as we learn here… views their country – what aspects of its informal situations. Bowing when thanking culture they want to change, and which someone remains prevalent and, to be traditions they hold close to their hearts. polite, it was a habit that we all picked up I discovered that it is traditional, when while there. Since coming back, I still find propose the idea that ‘London is declining What was the funniest moment? saying goodbye to someone, to wave them myself unconsciously bowing slightly when CALEY ROUTLEDGE as a world city’. Having fallen in love with My height was the source of much off until their car disappears, something being given things in shops. The other Graduate trainee at communications firm Tokyo, and having been on the ‘wrong’ amusement. I am 6’ 4”, a height I found very touching. thing that really jumped out at me was the FleishmanHillard Fishburn side of the EU Referendum, I was which many doorways in Japan do not generosity of our hosts, all of whom took Why did you sign up for the Tour? peculiarly happy to tear apart my home accommodate. If you’re my height, and Which sights did you get to see in Japan every effort to ensure we felt welcome I had never left Europe, and even country and its capital for five minutes. travelling to Japan, do watch your head. and what was your favourite place? and were looked after. travelling to Europe is an opportunity We won, but I’m now in the position My favourite places were the beautiful many in my family have never been of hoping my pessimism was misplaced Kiyomizudera Temple, which stands afforded. So to be able to travel to Japan as I make the move to London myself. proud above Kyoto on a wooden platform DAISY OHAN was something I will always be thankful hundreds of years old and was built Student at the University of Exeter to the ESU for. Travelling with the ESU What will you remember the most? without a single nail, and the Harajuku meant I was able to contribute something The people, and particularly the meals What did you know about Japan before district in Tokyo which was so much fun. I love – teaching debating – while also we spent with them. Each meal was an the tour? Everywhere there were lights and bright developing myself in a completely opportunity to try phenomenal food, Before I went out, I tried to learn as colours, and people dressed in eccentric new context. and talk to fantastic people whom we much about Japan as possible. I met fashion. Every store seemed to be selling would otherwise never have met. Japan with a Japanese friend to help hone toys, sweets and crêpes, make-up or Which debate did you enjoy the most was consistently distinct from anything my etiquette, and learnt about how clothes. It was like a teenage girl’s fantasy! and why? I had experienced before, and it opened to exchange business cards (hold your Our show debate for the supporters of my eyes a little wider to what’s out there business card with both hands, facing the What will you remember the most? ESU Japan gave me the opportunity to in the world. person you are presenting it to; receive The food! I thought you could get decent their business card with both hands and Japanese food in London. I was wrong! read it, before placing it in a holder).

MAIN PICTURE: KIYOMIZUDERA TEMPLE ABOVE KYOTO FROM LEFT: THE JAPAN DEBATE TOUR TEAM – SOPHIA, MATT, CALEY AND DAISY; THE BRIGHT LIGHTS OF TOKYO

34 Dialogue Magazine Spring 2017 Spring 2017 www.esu.org 35 CULTURAL EXCHANGE CULTURAL EXCHANGE

What was the most challenging moment? Teaching debate to students who don’t 10 THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW speak English as a first language was probably the biggest challenge. While the standard of English was broadly very good, I had to stretch myself to try to explain ABOUT JAPAN fairly abstract concepts in simple terms. It was an enjoyable challenge however, From an island full of rabbits to ways to say sorry, Natasha McGowan and one from which I felt I learned a lot uncovers some little-known facts about the land of the rising sun – articulating familiar concepts in new or simplified terms helps you develop your own understanding of them. There are four The island of The first time the The majority of streets What will you remember the most? ‘Japan has opened my different writing Okunoshima, in the Japanese people in Japan have no name There are far too many individual systems in Japan: Katakana, Inland Sea, is overrun with heard their emperor’s – most cities are divided into moments that stand out to pick just one. eyes a little wider to what’s Hiragana, Kanji and Romaji rabbits. Although their origins voice was on the radio numbered blocks instead. I have good memories of fun social out there in the world’ (the representation of are unknown, many believe when he announced Japan’s evenings with Caley, Sophia and Daisy Japanese sounds using the that they were test rabbits surrender during World War II. In Japanese, there and of struggling to use chop sticks with western 26-letter alphabet). used in a factory that are 20 ways to dignity. Also travelling on the famous What aspects of Japanese culture country, so it was interesting to talk produced poisonous gas Death from overwork say ‘sorry’, including warui Bullet Trains and passing Mt. Fuji sticks impressed you most? to people living there. As an economics 98% of adoptions during World War II, and is so common in Japan warui (‘my bad’), ikenai koto out as something unique to Japan. Their food was all incredibly healthy student it was fascinating to interact with in Japan are of adult that they were released once that they have a word for it: o shimashita (‘I’ve done and delicious! It has certainly inspired so many businessmen and women and males so that family the war was over. karoshi. something I shouldn’t have) my cooking over the last few months. to discuss the implications of Brexit and businesses will remain and owabi which expresses I was also very impressed with the understand just how strong their concerns within the family. There are more than Ronald McDonald deep remorse and heartfelt SOPHIA RODRIGUEZ efficiency with which everything ran – were about the future of the UK. Before 200 volcanoes in is called Donald apology. Student at the London School of Economics from their debate tournaments to their I arrived in Japan, I had read many More paper is used Japan. An underwater volcano McDonald in Japan as there Why did you sign up for the tour? trains, running to time never seemed statements made by Prime Minister for comics than that erupted in 2015 created a is no clear ‘r’ sound in the ON A CLEAR DAY JAPAN’S ICONIC MOUNTAIN, MOUNT FUJI, CAN BE SEEN I’d heard from friends that it was a to be a problem for the Japanese. Shinzo Abe, but it hadn’t hit home just for toilet paper in Japan. new island in the South Pacific. Japanese language. FROM TOKYO, OVER 100KM AWAY fantastic experience and that the hosts how great these concerns were until I had were incredibly welcoming, so I thought What did you know about Japan before these discussions. it would be a great way to immerse myself the tour and what did you learn? in Japanese culture. Before the tour I was vaguely aware of What will you remember most? the culture in Japan and the demographic After the ESU Japan debate tournament, problems that are being faced by the we went for dinner with some of the Japanese debaters who had been adjudicating. They had been to some of the tournaments that I’d attended over the past few years and, bizarrely, we had loads of mutual friends, so a lot of funny and embarrassing stories were told over an array of Japanese spirits.

GET INVOLVED! Tours are open to all but priority is given to mentors who have already worked for the CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: THE TORII GATE OF THE SHIRAHIGE SHRINE ON LAKE BIWA; ESU. To find out more, please visit A NIGHT OUT WITH NEW FRIENDS FROM THE TOUR; SOPHIA IN FULL FLOW esu.org/educationnetwork

36 Dialogue Magazine Spring 2017 Spring 2017 www.esu.org 37 HERITAGE

ESU IN ACTION From the National championships for the John Smith Memorial Mace for university debaters Archive are currently taking place ahead of the international final at Dartmouth House 1941 on 29th April

As Britain suffered under the Blitz, legions of members of ESU America sent donations of shoes, clothes, money – even much-needed ambulances – to Dartmouth House, from where they were despatched to those in need. One Mrs Abernathy, from Seattle, sent these seven pairs of children’s boots with the note ‘God bless the little feet that wear these shoes’. Here, Roy Keeble, in the foreground, and friends attempt to write notes to thank her. Aged just one and a half, Roy had been dug from the rubble of a house in which his mother perished. Do you have memories of the ESU in the past? If so, we’d love to hear about them. Drop us a line at [email protected]

38 Dialogue Magazine Spring 2017 BRANCHES BRANCHES

think helps them to mature more quickly.’ The competition closest to her heart 5 minutes with… is the London Debate Challenge, a free Branch News & Events debating contest for inner city state schools, which the London branch also supports ANN ARMSTRONG It’s been a busy few months with regional heats for all three of our main competitions and at which Ann is a judge. ‘I enjoy seeing Chairman, London Branch young people realising that they have and fundraising galore. And there are lots of exciting events to look forward to, too… something to offer, and that they have more

Founded: 1922 I Members: c1500 I Meets: Dartmouth House, Mayfair ability than they thought,’ she says. ‘The key thing is to get them to appreciate that debating isn’t just something they do for nn Armstrong joined the ESU Ann is heartened by the success of the a competition; it’s a skill they can carry BRIGHTON, OUR WAY AHEAD some 30 years ago while she competition, which the London branch with them throughout their lives.’ HOVE & DISTRICT Tuesday 11th July, 6 for 6.30pm A was a music teacher at Clifton sponsors, and which started just five years To that end, Ann and the London The Brighton & Hove District branch is Speaker Arthur Collins College in Bristol. When she retired to ago in 2012 with only six London schools branch are keen supporters of the Discover proud to have founded the Public Devon she joined the Exeter & District in contention. The 2017 competition which Your Voice workshops and the new Speaking Competition in 1962 and we All events take place at The Hove Club, committee where she began judging Discover Debating programme for primary have again had a lively contest with 28 Fourth Avenue, Hove BN3 2PJ the ESU Public Speaking Competition, schools. ‘By training teachers and schools from both the public and private For more details please call 01273 something she continues to do to this day. ‘Students become delivering workshops in schools, the sectors. After two preliminary heats the 307335. Lectures are not ticketed; She has been chairman of the London better, more confident information and skills learned will area final was held in the elegant setting a donation is requested at the door. branch since June 2015. hopefully cascade through the school.’ of The Hove Club and was won by When we meet, she has just finished communicators, which Money is raised through membership Brighton College. We have also recently watching 90 video entries from the London I think helps them to fees and a lively events programme welcomed several new judges to our panel. region for the Performing Shakespeare organised by Jane Reid: a combination of Our main lecture programme has BRISTOL Competition. It sounds daunting, but not mature more quickly’ talks, visits and other events such as music tackled aspects of the big issues of our ‘A great competition’ was how one of for Ann, who finds it ‘wonderful’. ‘It’s so recitals, as well as purely social coffee- times. Peter Hennessy (Lord Hennessy) the teachers described the Bristol final BRISTOL: TEAMS PREPARE FOR THE PUBLIC SPEAKING interesting,’ she says. ‘There are some has just taken place saw 343 entries, with mornings and book clubs. Recent spoke on ‘The kingdom to come’, putting of the Public Speaking Competition, COMPETITION AT QEH SCHOOL students who really take heed of the word 22 students from various parts of London highlights include a private view at the the two referendums which recently held in the QEH School theatre on “performing” in the title, and you can tell making it to the regional finals. ‘The ESU’s Queens Gallery, Buckingham Palace, and dominated political life in the context 12th January. Highly competitive, Second World War. Graham has an those who have thought about the text the competitions certainly draw out students’ a talk by member Susie Sandover on her life of other major events since the Second it saw teams from The Red Maids’ encyclopaedic knowledge of the RAF most, but what comes out of it most of all is talents,’ she says. ‘They become better, in Libya, which alone raised over £1,000. World War; while member Dr Michael School and St Bede’s Catholic College – since his distinguished service career he how much the children enjoy Shakespeare.’ more confident communicators, which I Most events are held in and around Dunne, a specialist on American history, progressing to the South West regional has written 10 books on aviation history. London, often in the beautiful surrounds addressed us on presidential rhetoric from final at Blundell’s School, Tiverton,

THE PERFORMING of Dartmouth House (‘undoubtedly one George Washington to Donald Trump. In on the 12th March. Teams from SHAKESPEARE of the key reasons why we have so many between we have recalled the Women’s Badminton, Colston’s and The Castle DIARY DATES COMPETITION WHICH THE LONDON members,’ says Ann), but there are frequent Land Army and enjoyed Viennese operetta. Schools just missed out. AGM BRANCH SPONSORS forays further afield too, in line with the Prince Harry once remarked ‘There Tuesday 23rd May, 7.15pm ESU’s mission of promoting cultural is no better place to be when in combat Apostle Room, Catholic Cathedral, exchange. The branch has just returned DIARY DATES than next to a Gurkha’, a comment Pembroke Road BS8 3BX from a visit to ESU Hamburg (‘the YOUTH AND POLITICS Brigadier Bruce Jackman OBE MC Speaker James Shone on his charity: kindness and generosity of the Chairman Tuesday 11th April, 12.45 for 1.15pm used as the title for his talk to us in I Can and I Am and his committee was overwhelming,’ says Annual luncheon with speaker December, providing plenty of Members £2; non-members £5 Ann) and is planning visits to ESU Paris Natasha Dyer evidence to back up this proposition. in October and to ESU Copenhagen in Tickets £22 approx. Similarly inspiring was the terrific talk BRISTOL ESU SUMMER PARTY 2018. Potential members with a taste for by Air Commodore Graham Pitchfork Wednesday 19th July, 6-8pm adventure should get in touch. DR SAMUEL JOHNSON – POLYMATH, MBE when he spoke to us in January Tickets £5 [email protected] WIT AND HUMANITARIAN about ‘Men behind the Medals’, For venue and more information, Tuesday 13th June, 6 for 6.30pm recounting the courageous deeds of just please contact Nigel Currie on FOR MORE INFORMATION Speaker James Simister some of the RAF crew members whose 0117 914 0773 See the branch pages at esu.org/branches service was vital to Allied success in the

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heat and a week after that Saffron Walden CANTERBURY DIARY DATES County High School kindly provided AND EAST KENT LUNCH AT CARDIFF CITY STADIUM hospitality for the Saffron Walden contest. The ESU’s Public Speaking Competition Friday 28th April Earlier in December, Thorpe Hall School garnered enough interest in East Kent Cardiff City Stadium CF11 8A2 had been the venue for the area for two heats in November. Seven Speaker The Rt Hon The Lord Butler traditionally covered by the Southend schools fielded 12 teams, with seven of Brockwell KG GCB CVO PC, branch. Anglia Ruskin University, kind qualifying for the final in February. former Private Secretary to five sponsors of our public speaking work, Paul Holleley from Dartmouth House prime ministers provided the prestigious venue for the final gave a workshop to some of the on 6th February. participants earlier in the term, buoying UNIVERSITY OF CARDIFF AND WALES: FROM LEFT: EMILY JAMES, confidence in both teachers and teams. ENA DAVIES, EVAN LAIDLER, STEFFAN LEONARD, SOUTH WALES LECTURE COLCHESTER & MENON KEEBLE & DEREK MORGAN AT THE BRANCH NORTH ESSEX: Sir Roger Manwood’s School kindly CHRISTMAS LUNCH Thursday 15th June TRAINEE GERMAN CONSUL MEIKE hosted. With the help of Simon Langton Speaker The Rt Hon The Lord Williams HULDER Girls’ Grammar the branch is organising of Baglan, former Deputy Director of a further workshop in June aimed at CARDIFF AND WALES the United Nations and UK Special schools who have never yet entered ‘Once more into the breach, dear friends, Envoy to Lebanon. Venue and timing the competition. once more…’ resounded from the stage to be confirmed Our major sponsorship event, the as Evan Laidler of Brynteg Comprehensive Shakespeare workshop for sixth formers school transported our branch members Contact Derek Morgan at in partnership with Globe Education, to the 25th October 1415 and Henry V’s [email protected]

CAMBRIDGE WELLAND VALLEY: THE TEAM was held as part of the Canterbury resounding call to arms at the battle FROM OUNDLE SCHOOL, PICTURED WITH Festival in October. Nearly 90 students of Agincourt. This was the scene at our BRANCH CHAIRMAN ANN CARLEY, WON THE REGIONAL FINAL OF THE ESU-CHURCHILL attended a lecture on theatre history Christmas lunch where the winners of PUBLIC SPEAKING COMPETITION and Shakespeare’s theatre by Mary both the Welsh and national finals of the COLCHESTER McNulty, Globe lecturer and a teaching Performing Shakespeare Competition 2016 & NORTH ESSEX member of the University of Kent’s regaled the audience with excerpts from Winter has been the season of public CAMBRIDGE DIARY DATES drama course. After lunch pupils took the Bard of Avon. speaking for the Colchester & North WELLAND VALLEY SHAKESPEARE LUNCH part in workshops led by acting Emily Rose James, from King Henry Essex branch. Supporters joined the The ESU-Churchill Public Speaking AT TOLETHORPE practitioners from Globe Education, VIII School Abergavenny, truly captured audience at Colchester English Study Competition has continued through April/May bringing alive the works that students the complicated scenario as Viola in Centre on 13th January for a locally-run this term culminating in a regional final For more details please contact study for A-level: Othello, The Merchant Twelfth Night where Viola loves her public speaking competition held among at Oakham Castle on Wednesday 8th [email protected] of Venice, Hamlet and Twelfth Night. master Orsino, who loves the handsome trainee consular staff of the Federal February with five school teams taking By the final plenary students were full Cesario – who is not a man at all but Foreign Office of Germany. Six part. The contest took place in the SUMMER PICNIC of questions about the theatre and being Viola in disguise! A memorable finale contestants spoke with authority on famous Moot Hall, decorated with Details tbc a classical actor. was presented by Manon Keeble and various aspects of their country and EASTBOURNE hundreds of horseshoes, where the Details from [email protected] Steffan Leonard from Ysgol Bryntawe answered detailed questions from the Committed to the ESU’s mission acoustics really tested our teams. The Swansea, winners of two awards in the floor, making it a truly informative of helping to develop confident judges commented that the standard of DIARY DATES national finals, performing the duologue as well as entertaining event. communicators, critical thinkers public speaking was the highest they had A VISIT TO PROVENDER HOUSE, as Katherine and Petruchio from A branch record of 25 teams KEEP and empowered citizens, the seen in 10 or more years. The winners HOME OF PRINCESS OLGA The Taming of the Shrew. This was also representing 15 schools UP TO DATE Eastbourne branch reminded For more information were Oundle School, with St Bede’s ROMANOFF a fitting occasion to present a Christmas entered the ESU-Churchill all members of the hard- on all forthcoming events, Inter-Church School, Cambridge, Saturday 27th May, 2.30pm floral basket to Ena Davies, who has Public Speaking Competition be sure to check the won privilege of having the as runners-up. Joe Betts of Catmose Norton, near Faversham ME13 OST been the driving force behind the for Years 9-11 this year, branch pages on the vote last November when College won Best Speaker; Josh Pearson Members £18; non-members £20 establishment of our competition. which was divided into local website at esu.org guest speaker Suzanne of St Bede’s Inter-Church School won to include tour, tea and cake A further presentation took place when heats before a branch final. The Glossop spoke passionately Best Questioner; Freddie Stewart of Tickets in advance from Valerie Hannah Barker received our annual Colchester heat was held at the about her aunt’s life as a Oundle School won Best Chair, and Iain Ainscough: [email protected] bursary award as the outstanding Royal Grammar School on 2nd suffragette. The talk followed an CANTERBURY AND EAST KENT: Lynn of Brassingbourn Village College ROLE PLAYING AT THE SHAKESPEARE or 01227 471180 Shakespearean student at the Royal Welsh December. Three days later New Hall AGM which voted in a strong committee WORKSHOP WITH GLOBE EDUCATION won Most Outstanding Personality. College of Music and Drama. School graciously hosted the Chelmsford to take forward the ESU’s work.

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EXETER: MEMBERS AT THE CHRISTMAS PARTY training mentor, Dr Jo Russell, following counties and Dartmouth House WITH GAP YEAR STUDENT KATHERINE WHITFIELD DIARY DATES THE BIRTH OF MODERN CHINA on from those we ran last summer for 22 provided a fine introduction for those ST GEORGE’S DAY AFTERNOON TEA Wednesday 21st June, 6.30pm teachers from six junior schools. attending. Also in attendance were Sunday 23rd April, 3pm AGM with speaker Dr Jung Chang Emma Jubbs from the University Hydro Hotel, Eastbourne BN20 7HZ Members £25; non-members £28 of Lincoln, Jenny Wheeldon and Members £16; non-members £18 DIARY DATES the Branch Chair. A follow up with All events are held at Exeter Golf A NOËL COWARD EVENING primary schools in the area is planned. AGM FOLLOWED BY SUMMER and Country Club, Duckworth Suite, Monday 10th April 2017, 7.15pm The Lincolnshire branch final of PARTY Topsham Road, Exeter EX2 7AE Dartmouth House, 37 Charles the ESU-Churchill Public Speaking Thursday 25th May, 5pm Street, London W1J 5ED Competition for schools was held on Members £12; non-members £14 Contact: Tim Pink at sheilapink@ Gala dinner with the Noël Coward Tuesday 7th February at the University btinternet.com or on 01395 567719 Society and soprano Helen Clutterbuck of Lincoln. Five teams took part and the INDEPENDENCE DAY LUNCH For tickets and more information, winners were Caistor Grammar School Tuesday 4th July, 12.30 for 1pm JOIN please see our branch page at esu.org with runner-up Carre’s Grammar Members £14.50; non-members £16.50 THE ESU! School, Sleaford. Both went forward For more information, please call You’ll have access GUILDFORD to the North East regional finals on to Dartmouth House, 01323 506 308 In October Professor Jane Setter gave 4th March at Leeds Grammar School. Mayfair, and a host of interesting events run a fascinating talk on ‘Who is speaking LINCOLN AND On 27th February we also held a by your local branch. and gave members some English to whom?’ in Weybourne House, LINCOLNSHIRE teacher training day workshop with BRANCH HOLIDAY Find out more at interesting insights into our new, riverside venue: a purpose-built On Monday 14th November Lincoln Dartmouth House at Bishop Grosseteste EPPING FOREST TO NORTHUMBRIA esu.org Tudor life. Also at the hall and bar courtesy of the Guildford and Lincolnshire branch held a very University. The Epping Forest branch raises funds for 14th-20th May Christmas Supper Katherine Masonic Lodge. In January and successful dinner at Bishop Grosseteste ESU educational programmes through its Organiser: Mrs. Janet Wallace Whitfield, one of the gap year students February, we held the local heats and University with Lord Robert Winston programme of cultural visits for members sponsored by the branch, spoke of her district final of the ESU-Churchill as the guest speaker. Over 90 people DIARY DATES such as the recent guided tour around the ENGLISH KINGS AND QUEENS experiences with Camps International Public Speaking Competition. Our were treated to a superb address and an BRANCH AGM AND SCHOLARS Fan Museum in Greenwich. Thursday 1st June teaching English and promoting the former exchange student, Pippa Rooney, excellent dinner. Profits went to support EVENING AGM with speaker Colin Street empowerment of women in Morocco, has been busy this winter too, visiting the ‘Discover Your Voice’ programme Thursday 6th July, 6.30pm No admission charge; members only Ecuador and Peru. many local senior schools and giving in the area, which new committee Fulbeck Hall, Lincoln Road, DIARY DATES On the education agenda, we had talks to promote the Secondary School member Jenny Wheeldon will focus on. Fulbeck NG32 3JW VISIT TO KEW GARDENS CINNABAR AND CELANDINE eight entries for the Public Speaking Exchange programme and sponsorships. On 5th December a ‘Discover Your All members welcome AND PALACE Thursday 6th July, 10.15 for 10.45am Competition with Blundell’s School We are currently working on plans Voice’ day was held at Havelock For more information, please contact Thursday 4th May Murray Hall, 106 Borders Lane, from Tiverton representing the SW area to hold more teachers’ Debating Academy, Grimsby, for some 25 [email protected] Loughton IG10 3SB at the national final in March. The branch Workshops with our branch debating students. Mentors from surrounding Speaker Kate Poole also ran a very successful Discover Your EPPING FOREST: A TRIP TO GREENWICH’S Admission £4 including tea/coffee Voice workshop for 18 local students FAN MUSEUM WAS A RECENT HIGHLIGHT with a mentor from Dartmouth House. For details, please call 020 8505 9001 or 01992 812 454 DIARY DATES ANNUAL DINNER (BLACK TIE) Wednesday 19th April, 6.30pm EXETER With Leon Winston’s Performing The Exeter branch has hosted some Shakespeare with local children excellent speakers in the past few months: Members £32.50; non-members £35.50 Hugo Vickers DL, Ruth Caleb OBE and Matthew Paris. The finale of the 400th CORNISH ART anniversary of Shakespeare’s death was Wednesday 17th May, 12.30pm suitably marked at the Christmas Supper Lunch meeting with speaker David Tovey LINCOLN AND LINCOLNSHIRE: CAISTOR GRAMMAR SCHOOL TAKES LINCOLN AND LINCOLNSHIRE: event where Professor Carol Rutter spoke Members £22; non-members £25 THE TROPHY AT THE ESU-CHURCHILL FROM LEFT: ESU MEMBERS LADY about her love of Shakespeare’s writings PUBLIC SPEAKING COMPETITION NEVILE & LADY GRAYDON

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with 45 video entries. Eleven were VISIT TO THE COLLEGE OF ARMS DIARY DATES chosen for the regional final: 10 from Tuesday 23rd May, 6.15 for 6.30pm THE ROYAL NORFOLK the Perse School, Cambridge, and one College of Arms, 130 Queen REGIMENTAL MUSEUM from the Goldington Academy, Bedford. Victoria St, London EC4V 4BT Friday 21st April, 12 for 12.30pm The three judges were Ouse Valley Contact Jane Reid at Lunch with speaker Kate Thraxton members, all with professional [email protected] qualifications in drama. The standard RAILWAY NOSTALGIA was the highest yet. All entries were ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Friday 19th May, 12 for 12.30pm monologues and the two (equal) winners, Wednesday 21st June, 3pm NORWICH AND NORFOLK: NORWICH SCHOOL Lunch with speaker Arthur Barrett both from the Perse School, were Isabel WON THE NORFOLK FINAL OF THE PUBLIC SPEAKING Dartmouth House, 37 Charles COMPETITION. THE TEAM IS SEEN HERE WITH THE Wrigley (Shylock, Merchant of Venice), JUDGES AND BRIAN BAKER, THE BRANCH PUBLIC Street, London W1J 5ED SPEAKING CO-ORDINATOR AN HAWAIIAN ADVENTURE and Camillo Pedulli, also Shylock, who Speaker Colin McCorquodale Friday 16th June, 12 for 12.30pm both went through to the national final Contact Ann Armstrong at Lunch with speaker Anna Meek at the Gielgud Theatre in March. LIVERPOOL AND MERSEYSIDE: LIVERPOOL’S ANGLICAN CATHEDRAL WAS THE SETTING [email protected] NORWICH We also organised three lunch meetings FOR THE BRANCH CHRISTMAS LUNCH DIARY DATES AND NORFOLK All events cost £18 and take place at Park raising £820 towards promoting our CONCERT AT EATON PARK Book club meetings (contact earley. On 8th February, the Norfolk final Farm Hotel, Hethersett NR9 3DL. Please branch activities with schools. The Thursday 18th May, 7.30pm [email protected]) and coffee of the ESU-Churchill Public Speaking book in advance on 01603 456661. meetings included an analysis of artists LIVERPOOL AND Eaton Park, Chester CH4 9ET mornings take place every month. Competition was held at Wymondham of the Great War by the former curator MERSEYSIDE With ESU Music Scholar Cosima For more details see our branch pages High Academy, with high quality of the Higgins Museum, Bedford; a talk An excellent heat of the ESU-Churchill Soulez Larivière online at esu.org/branches speeches given by all. The winning NORWICH AND NORFOLK: THE on how the women of Paris coped with NORFOLK FINAL OF THE PUBLIC Public Speaking Competition was held Tickets £35 for concert and buffet supper team was Norwich School, with their SPEAKING COMPETITION the German Occupation of the 1940s on 29th November. The winners were chairman, Morgan Hardy, taking the by author Anne Sebba, and a delightful St Edward’s College Liverpool who were LAUGHTER THE BEST MEDICINE prize for Best Chair. Jessica Stone of musical interpretation of Queen Victoria joined in the final at The Athenaeum, Thursday 15th June, 12 noon MID-CHESHIRE Langley School won Best Speaker while and Prince Albert’s romance, brought Liverpool, on 3rd February by for 12.30pm Cultural exchange is at the heart of Rosie Wilkins from Wymondham High to life by the Ridgeway Ensemble. Calderstones School, Archbishop Beck Hurlston Hall Golf and Country the ESU’s mission, so we were delighted (team one) was awarded Best Questioner. College and Birkenhead High School Club, Ormskirk L40 8HB to hear about mid-Cheshire member Wymondham High (team two) was Academy. Lunch with speaker Dennis Moore Desmond Higgins’s new book, In the overall runner-up. Norwich School also DIARY DATES Outside the competition, we also Tickets £25 Wake of Empire. The book tells of came up trumps in the Schools’ Mace, STUDENT NEWS FROM THE USA enjoyed an excellent speech from Mark Higgins’s time in the Diplomatic Service with Louis Mian and Louis Cann going April, date tbc, 12.30 for 1pm Featherstone-Witty RNOM, OBE, For further information please in Africa in the 1960s, painting a vivid through to the regional final. The Sharnbrook Hotel MK44 1LX the Founding Principal and Chief contact Sue Davies at picture of life in In October we were pleased to welcome Lunch with our sponsored American Executive of the Liverpool Institute of [email protected] or Nigeria, South Gail Featherstone, ESU Membership OUSE VALLEY exchange students as speakers Performing Arts (LIPA) at our November on 0151 342 6157 Africa, Rhodesia Officer and Shikha Battershill, ESU Seven teams from three state schools and Cost £19 meeting. Mark gave us a fascinating and The Gambia Membership Administrator. Shikha three independent schools took part in Contact 01234 822206 insight into the work of LIPA which is as these countries talked about the ESU membership, her the ESU-Churchill Public Speaking or 01234 822842 acknowledged as part of the UK’s higher regained their role, and how the core education Competition event held at Bedford education provision for performing arts. independence. programme helps young Girls’ School in November. BEDFORD JUNIOR PUBLIC LONDON REGION KEEP At our Christmas lunch in Liverpool’s See feature on page 40 Expect stories people become empowered UP TO DATE One topic – ‘Will tomorrow SPEAKING COMPETITION: EVENT 1 Anglican Cathedral, Roger Johnson, of animated citizens, while Gail spoke For more information be better than today?’ – Tuesday 25th April, 9.30-12 noon BBC TV’s Chief News Presenter of wakes and about the international life on all forthcoming events, proved particularly Bedford School, Bedford MK40 2TU North West Tonight, opted not for a DIARY DATES bathroom-living she had shared with her be sure to check the thought-provoking. Free admission via the De Parys Avenue set speech, but a question and answer TALK BY BRIAN FREELAND crocodiles as diplomat husband, Simon. branch pages on the Judges were our president, school entrance website at esu.org session which rapidly evolved into an Thursday 27th April, 6.30 for 7pm well as insights We also enjoyed a talk from Tony Wood, and two of entertaining and informative discussion Dartmouth House, 37 Charles into the Nick Acheson of Norwich our members. The winners BEDFORD JUNIOR PUBLIC between him and our members, leaving Street, London W1J 5ED political climate Wildlife Trust about the creation were team two from the Shenley SPEAKING COMPETITION: EVENT 2 us with a much better understanding Contact Jane Reid at of the day. and development of the trust, founded Brook End school, Milton Keynes. Tuesday 2nd May, 9.30-12 noon both of his role and the overall [email protected] The book is in 1926 when Sydney Long and friends The Performing Shakespeare Venue as above compilation of the programme. priced at £7.99. bought 435 acres of the Cley Marshes. Competition proved similarly popular

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of talks. ‘Beyond Fags and Wallop’ ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING provided an overview of the history SUFFOLK Thursday 15th June, 6.30-7.30pm of the Navy Army Air Force Institute The Suffolk Heat of the ESU-Churchill Optional supper at the Boat Inn (The NAAFI). Mark Mortimer, Public Speaking Competition for Schools Headmaster of Warminster School, took place on 3rd February at the Mix ANNUAL DINNER (BLACK TIE) whose own education included an at Stowmarket. The competition was Friday 30th June, 7 for 7.45pm English-Speaking Union scholarship, organised by councillor Robert Everitt, Pembroke College Oxford OX1 1DW talked about taking part (with a fellow who must be congratulated on his choice OX1 3BJ army officer) in the first Atlantic of venue and organisational skills, Speaker to be announced Rowing Race in 1997, and a second supported by three excellent judges and For tickets and more information, crossing on his own. ‘Trauma Care two experienced timekeepers. The judges please contact Dr Janet Carter at from the Air’ was about the creation, complemented all the teams on all the [email protected] development, operation and plans of work and research they had put into the or on 01865 848528 the Wiltshire Air Ambulance Trust. competition and offered positive and And ‘Ernest Shackleton – His Life constructive advice to all the entrants. and Times’ was an in-depth history After a very close competition, St. of the Antarctic explorer. Benedict’s School (Team One) were SALISBURY declared the winners. Tom Paddon from Eleven teams having battled through Royal Hospital School (Team One) was two heats, the finalists in the branch’s DIARY DATES voted Best Chairman, the Best Speaker was ESU-Churchill Public Speaking THE KINGS SCHOOL, Tooba Ahmed from St Benedict’s School WEST SUSSEX: BISHOP’S PALACE, CHICHESTER WAS THE VENUE FOR Competition were Bishop Wordsworth’s TAMIL NADU (Team Two), and the Best Questioner was THE REGIONAL FINALS OF TWO COMPETITIONS School, which hosted the event, Wednesday 26th April, 11am Amadi Gray from Royal Hospital School South Wilts Grammar School, The Rose and Crown, Harnham, (Team Two). The winning speech was St Mary’s College and Winchester Salisbury SP2 8JQ entitled ‘England needs to see itself not OXFORD: FROM TOP: ESU DIRECTOR MARIE BOND WITH OXFORD ESU MEMBER BRUCE HUNT; ELIZABETH College. As usual, the standard was Speaker Colin Wagstaff as a great nation, but as a great country.’ WEST SUSSEX Alexander Gibson of Portsmouth AND JOHN HARROP WITH SUE LEE OF DITCHLEY PARK uniformly high and the hosts took Coffee from 10.15; luncheon at 12.30 Fifteen members of ESU Suffolk attended The West Sussex branch was delighted Grammar School won Best Chair, while the prize, their speaker Ben Blackburn Lunch & talk £17.50; talk only: £7 to lend support and encouragement to the to welcome back actor Hugh Dennis Maddie Macey of Churcher’s College having spoken eloquently and with great Contact 01722 336118; students, and all thought that the whole (see page 14) as a judge to its was awarded Outstanding OXFORD authority on ‘Fiction can teach us more [email protected] afternoon had been a very enjoyable regional final of the JOIN Personality of the day. THE ESU! In September 2016, members of the than fact’. Ben was runner-up to Thea and worthwhile experience. Performing Shakespeare You’ll have access to In order to enhance Oxfordshire Branch visited Ditchley Park Ralph of South Wilts as best speaker. THE ROYAL WARRANT Competition, held this members’ enjoyment and SUFFOLK: TEAM ONE FROM ST. BENEDICT’S SCHOOL Dartmouth House, near Chipping Norton, which former ESU Theo Marcotty of Winchester College Wednesday 10th May 2017, 2.30pm WON THE SUFFOLK HEAT OF THE PUBLIC SPEAKING year at Bishop’s Palace, understanding of COMPETITION Mayfair, and a host of Chairman, Sir Winston Churchill, had was best chair and Alex Lopez of Salisbury Museum, The Close, Chichester. He was joined interesting events run Shakespeare, we organised used as his country retreat during the war. St Mary’s was best questioner. Salisbury SP1 2EN for the first time by actress by your local branch. a trip to the Globe Theatre We also enjoyed a Thanksgiving lunch In the meantime, members have Speaker Philip Coward Abigail Cruttenden, and the Find out more to learn of its development, at esu.org in November. continued to enjoy a varied programme Tickets: £10 students gave some excellent history and rebirth and to see Contact 07753 708958; performances. The winners were The Merchant of Venice. SALISBURY: ESU MEMBER MIKE TULLOCH WITH [email protected] Hebe Parrott from Ditcham Park SPEAKER BEN BLACKBURN; QUESTIONER MARTIN WEST SUSSEX: WINNERS OF THE REGIONAL PUBLIC DIARY DATES ENDERSBY AND CHAIR CURTIS LEUNG FROM BISHOP School and Yana Preobrazhenskaya and SPEAKING COMPETITION WORDSWORTH’S SCHOOL, THE WINNERS OF THE GUIDED TOUR OF BRANCH PUBLIC SPEAKING COMPETITION THE PATRON’S BIRTHDAY Sofya Boeuleva from St Catherine’s KELMSCOTT MANOR GARDEN PARTY Bramley. Thursday 4th May, 2pm Saturday 24th June, 12.30-2.30pm The Bishop’s Palace was also the venue Kelmscott Manor, near Lechlade Joint ESU/Royal Over-Seas League for the regional final of the ESU- GL7 3HJ event celebrating the official birthday Churchill Public Speaking Competition. Tickets £20 including tea of HM The Queen Seven teams took part and the standard with homemade biscuits Two-course buffet lunch with wine: £12 was very high, improving year on year. (Lunch available there or at Plough Inn, Contact 01258 480887; Benedict Ellett and Luca Davidson of Kelmscott Village) [email protected] Ditcham Park School won Best Guest Speaker and Best Questioner respectively.

48 Dialogue Magazine Spring 2017 Spring 2017 www.esu.org 49 BRANCHES

DIARY DATES PRE-LUNCH DRINKS Saturday 29th April, 12 noon Giving thanks Ticket price: Donations merica was the first cultural identity from Tim Gerhartson, MY LIFE IN FASHION international ESU, formed Deputy Attaché from the Culture Tuesday 23rd May, 1.30pm A in 1920, just two years after Section of the US Embassy, while Lunch from noon Sir Evelyn Wrench founded the ESU in Eastbourne, members Robin and Venue: Barley Mow, Walderton PO18 9ED here. As such, we have always enjoyed Ann Gregory gave an enjoyable talk on Ticket price: £5 close ties with the country, something American music. Music was also the celebrated in our annual Thanksgiving theme at the Guildford branch’s dinner THE ANATOMY OF MURDER Dinner at Dartmouth House. The 2016 where soprano Helen Clutterbuck Thursday 22nd June, 7.30pm event, which also featured a show debate sang songs from the Great American Speaker Anthony Davies from our US Debate tour alumni on Songbook and Laura Craven spoke ‘This house believes about the generous For venue details and further information, the American dream ‘We have always social values in please contact Adrienne Barnett at is a nightmare’, was a American history that [email protected] or huge success, selling enjoyed close led to the tradition on 01243 839706 out in under a week. ties with America, of Thanksgiving. This was just Guildford ESU one of many something celebrated American exchange Thanksgiving in our annual student Lelia Battle WORCESTERSHIRE events however. Thanksgiving Dinner’ attended as a special Five schools from Pershore, Malvern, The Worcestershire guest, welcomed by Bromsgrove Worcester and Haybridge branch marked the former exchange competed in the ESU-Churchill Public occasion with a celebration of English student Pippa Rooney. Speaking Competition branch final on literature with Peter Sutton, actor, The Cambridge Welland Valley 19th January. The topics chosen were playwright and poet, giving an branch took a different tack, with Brian relevant and well-researched, the general imaginative, entertaining, dramatic Johnson, Vice-Chairman of South standard of speaking was articulate, engaging presentation on ‘The wisdom of Piers Leicestershire History Society, speaking and, at times, impassioned. The Best Speaker Plowman’. In West Sussex, turkey about those who gave their lives in the and Questioner were Felix Haynes and and all the trimmings were followed Great War, truly something we should Tom Berry from RGS Worcester; the Best by a highly entertaining talk on all be thankful for. Chair, Ben Sutton from Haybridge. After Pershore High School had been thanked for its excellent hospitality, special thanks were given to Clive Corbett, its retiring head teacher, always a staunch supporter of our Worcestershire branch and a real friend. The winning school, The Royal Grammar School, Worcester, went on to the Midlands Final, held this year at The Assembly Rooms, The Guildhall, Worcester.

KEEP UP TO DATE For more information on all forthcoming events, be sure to check the branch pages on the website at esu.org

50 Dialogue Magazine Spring 2017 ORACY ALUMNI

A POEM TO READ ALOUD

My tongue is my mother’s tongue. My Mother(’s) My language is as sharp and thick as hers. I borrow her words, heat them up How the ESU changed my life in the furnace of my mouth and turn them Tongue into heart-shaped shards of glass. ‘My experiences gave me the My heart is my mother’s heart. Denisa Vítová I collect raindrops in buckets and tears confidence to be all that I can’

from peeling onion skins in my open hands KATHARINE BROOKS, FAST STREAM, FOREIGN & COMMONWEALTH OFFICE while in kitchen my mother makes sizzling letters on paper. uring the six years of my professional. The memory of a morning that it had some lasting positive impact My hands are my mother’s hands. undergraduate, master’s and in Wuhan spent training 80 children to on their confidence in their own ability to Ddoctorate degrees I worked for the be ready for a television commercial stands learn and their aspirations for the future. Though the geography of her language is cold ESU as a mentor. I was lucky enough to out particularly in my mind, but there were However, I think the most important every winter those heavy snowfalls be selected for some of its most exciting countless other, slightly less stress-inducing skill that debating teaches children (and melt on the tip of her tongue, becoming international tours and this has been but equally rewarding, experiences. adults too) is the ability to question what curse words as we talk blood, fire and men. enormously beneficial for me on both I became a better debater, a better teacher, they are told – by their parents, the media, a professional and personal level. and a better global citizen as a result. their teachers – and to start thinking for My lips are my mother’s lips. There are not many 20-somethings It wasn’t all about jet-setting. In fact, themselves. In a post-truth world, teaching who can talk about the time they watched some of the most formative experiences debating is all the more important, but we And when I burn her syllables fall out cool as rain. an am-dram musical about the life of I had were in classrooms in the UK – need to start as early as possible and to While she licks off the salt on my cheeks Beethoven in Amarillo, Texas (below), seeing first-hand the enormous divides in embed critical thinking within the my own tongue flutters between my teeth or the time they went to a giant adult educational opportunity here and being curriculum of every school. like a wild bird in a cage refusing to leave. adventure playground in Missouri, or ate at given the chance to make a difference, I now work at the Foreign Office, on the the best dim sum restaurant in Hong Kong. however small. A few years ago I taught diplomatic fast stream, and I believe I owe I will always speak in my mother’s tears. More importantly, these tours presented me for 10 weeks at a struggling primary school much of that to the ESU. My experiences with some of the biggest challenges and in Birmingham where several of the not only provided me with nearly all my Once I have a daughter I will pass onto her opportunities that I would face as a young children in my Year 6 class still could answers to the competency questions at ABOUT THE AUTHOR that old scarred tongue, serve it not read or write as a result of interview, but they gave me the confidence Originally from the Czech Republic, Denisa is now an on a silver plate with a note late-diagnosed dyslexia. Seeing to be all that I can, in a professional and undergraduate English linguistics and literature student in saying: ‘Your language didn’t just grow those children stand up and in a personal sense. They also inspired in Switzerland. Her poetry has been published by The Moth, give a five-minute speech to me a desire to make a positive difference, Acumen, The Poetry Society, The Doctor T.J. Eckleburg from a seed. It’s only here their school assembly at the both at home and abroad. Review and The Castello Di Duino International Poetry after all your mothers chewed on the bitter end of my time there was Competition. She also writes for the Swiss newspaper and the sweet, moulding phenomenally rewarding, and GET IN TOUCH NZZ Campus. Follow her on Instagram @denisavitova their tears into a song.’ a testament to the massive Has the ESU had a positive impact on your journey they had taken in that life? We’d love to hear about it! Please drop short time. I also dare to hope us a line at [email protected]

52 Dialogue Magazine Spring 2017 Spring 2017 www.esu.org 53 INTERVIEW DISCOVER YOUR Q&A VOICE WHAT IS DISCOVER YOUR VOICE? WE CATCH UP WITH THE Our Discover Your Voice Training and RIGHT HONOURABLE THE Outreach programme teaches debating and public speaking skills in schools LORD FOWLER, FORMER all over the UK, and it is growing. Our CONSERVATIVE MP AND incredibly talented and committed mentor LORD SPEAKER OF THE network delivers sessions for students at primary and secondary school level, HOUSE OF LORDS reaching thousands of young people per year. We offer introductory training to get schools enthusiastic about debating as well as bespoke training for teams that want to enter (and win!) our competitions. What was your first public speaking event? Margaret Thatcher’s cabinet, when the to take their reporters in but the Arabs Our sessions leave participants I’d been in a debating society but the former prime minister Jim Callaghan were not going to do the same for us, so enthusiastic about debating, and one that stands out was the selection decided that he wanted to intervene. Now the Sunday Times man, the Paris Match confident about the value of their opinion. board I had to go before for my National you don’t give way in the last minute reporter and I paid an exorbitant amount They have discovered their voice! Service, for which I had to make a speech. or so of your wind-up speech because to a fishing boat owner whose safety I certainly didn’t pass that board on the otherwise you miss the cut off and the precautions were zero and off we chugged basis of my practical knowledge so I think debate can almost go on forever – so, across the Med. It took all night and was TWO WAYS YOU CAN HELP: I must have passed it entirely on the basis even though this ex-prime minister kept a very foolish thing to do. If you, like us, believe that debating of my speech. on getting up and trying to get in, there and public speaking skills are essential to was I, a junior minister, not giving him What is your proudest achievement? a young person’s development, then please Who’s the most memorable person the chance. I noted afterwards that my I suppose I take most satisfaction in the use your network to bring schools in touch you’ve heard speak and why? colleagues thought this was by far the best work I’ve done on HIV and AIDS. In 1986 with the work we do. It could be through My favourite was Harold Macmillan, performance I’d ever given! we mounted the ‘Don’t Die of Ignorance’ your old school, your children’s school the then prime minister, whom I invited public education campaign and, at the same or that of your neighbours, friends or to speak while I was chairman of the What has been your most memorable time, provided clean needles for drug users. colleagues. Please help us to enable more Cambridge University Conservative foreign travel experience? It was highly controversial. People said Association in 1960. It was a hell of a In 1967 when I was a reporter on The we shouldn’t talk about sexual habits in young people to discover their voice and cheek and we never expected him to say Times and the Six-Day War in the Middle a high profile way, and that by providing refer our programme to a school you know. yes but he did. He spoke about defence East broke out, I was told to get to Beirut clean needles we were condoning crime. Are you a member of an ESU branch? and the need for nations to come together and report from the Arab side. We flew to We made a choice that public health and Then why not talk to your committee in the common interest and it was not Cyprus and the Israelis sent over a plane saving lives was the most important thing about funding a Discover Your Voice only a great speech, it was the lead story and in fact it proved remarkably successful. workshop for a local state school in the Daily Telegraph the next day. He Providing clean needles is now established ‘In 1986 we mounted the in your region. This will allow us to really did us proud. policy and one that has been followed by “Don’t Die of Ignorance” reach even more young people who many, many countries overseas, though would otherwise be unable to develop What has been your most public education campaign still not enough. memorable encounter? and, at the same time, One of the good things you can do in life-changing debating and public I remember trying to wind up a debate your life as a politician is to save a few lives speaking skills. when I was Secretary of State for provided clean needles and I think that undoubtedly did save a To find our more about the Transport, a fairly new minister in for drug users’ few lives – probably more than a few. programme visit esu.org/dyv

54 Dialogue Magazine Spring 2017 BECOME A YOUNG MEMBER

ESU membership is free until you’re 23, and is a fantastic way of staying up to date with the latest news about our life-changing scholarships, exchanges and training opportunities. If you fancy spending your Gap Year in an American high school, or if you’re interested in ways of broadening your horizons through developing skills in public speaking and debating, then you should consider joining the ESU.

To register, and for more more information, visit esu.org/youngmemberesu.org/membership