fdt debate program
Public Forum
new american debate program

FDT DEBATE PROGRAM
Embark on a new debate style.
Debate is the same activity that has sharpened the minds of influential people such as Nelson Mandela, Margaret Thatcher, and Oprah Winfrey. Going beyond just teaching students how to form arguments, FDT encourages students to learn how to use rhetoric and evidence through debate, forming a skillset that allows them to succeed in their future academic and professional careers. Students are able to take the skills they learn in the classroom to tournaments offered provincially, nationally, and even internationally in countries such as the United States, Great Britain, and Thailand.
FDT is the leader in teaching World’s Style, CNDF, Cross Examination, and British Parliamentary Debate. We’ve now launched a Public Forum Debate program, to cater to students who wish to learn this most popular American style among Canadian debaters.
Dates
Locations
Duration
- Group Classes: 1 hour & 45 minutes each
- Private Lessons: 50 minutes each
Tuition

pf debate coach
Noel Frederick
Noel is currently completing a Master’s degree in Applied Economics at the University of Saint Mary’s, and he has also received a Bachelor of Arts in Business Law from Carleton University. Noel has experience coaching British Parliamentary Debate, Canadian National Debate, World Schools Debate, Canadian Parliamentary Debate, and Public Forum Debate. Noel acted as the head debate teacher for the Harvard Debate Program at Nanjing Foreign Language School, and Zhangjiagang Ivy International School Debate Program, with his students having great success at regional, national, and international tournaments. As a debater, Noel had great competitive success, having reached the finals of the Lord Dorchester Debating Championships in 2017, and reaching the quarter-finals of the Seagrams Debating Championships in 2019, as well as being selected to chair numerous high school and university tournament finals.

differences between public forum & canadian debate
Learn more about PF.
How does PF differ from Canadian debate?
- The first big difference is the long term research focus of PF compared to Canadian debate. For PF, kids will be dealing with the same topic for a month or two, and go to multiple tournaments on the same topic. Students are expected to do lots of research to develop prewritten rebuttal, and multiple different cases. There are also a few minor differences in speeches, but the biggest technical difference is instead of POI’s, PF is all crossfire.
What can you gain from PF?
- Research skills, speech writing/editing, and deeper topic engagement. The biggest long term benefit for students is learning how to go super in depth when seeking evidence and information, and engaging with tough sources like legal cases and academic journals to prepare for research essays in high school and university. By having so much time with a topic, it really encourages students to think about the topic on a deeper level than impromptu debate, and improve their cases and speeches after every round.
- In terms of circuits, recently an NSDA Vancouver circuit has opened up in 2019, and runs one or two tournaments a semester around the city. However, mainly, most students work to compete at American Tournaments, especially few prestigious ivy league tournaments. Students from all across the NSDA compete for provincial and nationals like CNDF, however students also earn points based on results in order to attend an international “tournament of champions”, which is the largest NSDA PF tournament.



Learn collaboratively with your peers
Group Classes
FDT’s Debate group classes provide students with the opportunity to put theory into practice by offering a combination of lectures, skill-building activities, and timed debate rounds. Our curriculum ensures that students are taught skills and technique, while expanding their knowledge about relevant topics and world issues. Constructive feedback provided by our elite coaches is central to preparing students for competitive debating and upcoming tournaments.
Upon speaking with our Admissions Director, students are placed in the appropriate weekly group class. We offer a wide range of group class levels, from introductory to our most competitive classes, and everything in between. Each class consists of anywhere from 3 to 30 students, with one teacher for every 4 to 6 students. Classes are divided into subgroups based on students’ skills, previous experience and area of focus. Group classes are 1 hour and 45 minutes long, and students may register for one or more group classes per week.

accelerate your learning with a private coach
Private Lessons
FDT offers private one-on-one debate lessons, expanding on the essential skills that are learned in group class. Students are given an opportunity to work on individual challenges and receive unique attention for longer periods of time. Private lessons are an excellent way to prepare for tournaments!
Upon speaking with our Admissions Director, students are placed with a private instructor that is best suited to their learning needs, schedule and budget.
Register today to learn about our custom packages, which combine group and private lessons!