The Toronto Debating Academy offers a variety of classes for students of diverse skill levels. Our in-person classes are run in exclusive partnership with Meritus Academy in North York. Meritus also runs online classes.
Weekly classes involve speaking drills, practice debates and seminars designed to develop students’ knowledge of crucial subject areas and strategic skills. Free trial classes are available at Meritus. We welcome students with a wide range of experience; our skilled instructors will help you determine which class is the best match for you.
To enrol in classes, please visit the Meritus website. This site has current details on course levels, schedules, and pricing.
Junior Debate
Junior Debate 1 is the perfect starting point for younger students in Grades 5 and 6 who are ready to begin developing their critical thinking and public speaking skills—but may not yet be ready for the demands of high school-style competitive debate. Tailored specifically for elementary school learners, this course introduces students to the fundamentals of argumentation, structured thinking, and respectful disagreement using the Junior WSDC (World Schools Debating Championship) format.
Over 16 thoughtfully-paced lessons, students are guided through the core elements of debating, including building strong arguments, engaging with opposing ideas, and speaking with confidence. Our program uses both team debates (Jr. 3×3) and one-on-one formats (Jr. 1×1) to help students learn how to speak clearly, organize their thoughts, and respond to others—all while having fun and discussing topics that matter to them, like sports, technology, education, and justice.
What sets JD LV1 apart:
- Age-Appropriate Structure: The course is carefully designed to suit the learning styles and needs of younger students. Topics and formats are selected to spark interest and ensure engagement.
- Interactive Instruction: Instructors provide active support throughout the lesson—helping students structure their ideas mid-speech, demonstrating how to take effective notes, and giving clear guidance to encourage growth.
- Real Skill Development: Students will learn how to research, write, and present arguments; how to take effective notes during debates; and how to give and receive feedback.
- Preparation for Competitive Debate: JD LV1 is a strong foundation for students aiming to eventually compete in Junior-level competitions or transition into higher-level formats like British Parliamentary.
Parents can expect regular homework that reinforces in-class lessons through short readings and topic exploration. By the end of the course, students will have participated in multiple structured debates, built confidence in speaking, and gained essential tools for future academic and extracurricular success.
Junior Debate 2 is the next step in the TDA Junior Debate program—designed for students in Grades 5 and 6 who have completed JD LV1 and are ready for a more advanced introduction to debate. This course builds on the foundation of clear communication and critical thinking established in JD LV1, placing greater emphasis on argument structure, speech organization, and strategic thinking within the Junior WSDC format.
Over 16 engaging and skill-focused lessons, students will participate in weekly debates, sharpen their ability to analyze and respond to opposing ideas, and refine their delivery through structured feedback. From debates on open-book testing to digital immortality, students are challenged to think deeply and speak persuasively on relevant and thought-provoking issues.
What JD LV2 offers:
- Structured Growth: JD LV2 pushes students to organize their speeches more effectively and build stronger cases.
- Advanced Debate Skills: Students learn how to rebuild arguments, engage in Points of Information (POIs), and execute impactful third speeches—all core skills in WSDC-style debate.
- High Engagement, High Support: Instructors continue to actively support students by stepping in during speeches to coach structure, clarify ideas, and model strong performance. Students are guided to practice effective note-taking and argument tracking using the TDA Note Taking Guide.
- Preparation for Higher-Level Debate: This course positions students for success in Junior competitions (Grades 4–9) and prepares them to transition smoothly into British Parliamentary, even before Grade 7.
Homework assignments focus on content understanding and background knowledge for debate topics, while class time emphasizes practical execution and improvement. As with all TDA programs, instructors encourage students to speak confidently, listen critically, and build their skills through hands-on experience and expert feedback.
BP Debate
Beginner BP classes (including Levels 1 and 2) are appropriate for middle school students in Grade 7 and up and students who are brand new to debating. Older students can use Beginner classes to learn the format, and can be streamed into more challenging classes when they feel ready.
Intermediate classes (including Level 3 & 4 at Meritus) are appropriate for high school students who have a firm grasp on British Parliamentary debating formats, and have some experience either attending tournaments or receiving coaching from their school.
Advanced classes (including Levels 5 & 6 at Meritus) are targeted to students who have already demonstrated their ability as speakers, usually by breaking, or advancing to elimination rounds, at major tournaments. Admission to Advanced classes is at the instructor’s discretion.