ISDS Young Learners' Academy
by Indian Schools Debating Society (ISDS)
National Debate Squad Pathway
ISDS's comprehensive 11-session course for Grades 7-8 integrating public speaking and WSDC debate training, culminating in a competitive debate tournament.
Mode
Online
Fee
₹15,000 for one student, ₹13,500 per student in a team of 3
Participation format
Individual and team
Teams of 1 to 3
Duration
4 weeks (11 sessions, 22 hours total)
Eligibility
Open to students in Grades 7-8 studying in any school across India. No prior debating experience required. Designed for beginners.
- Grade level
- Grade 7 to 8
- Eligibility region
- Available nationwide across India
- Academic requirement
- Open to students in Grades 7-8.
See if your child qualifies.
Rewards and recognition
Recognition
National Debate Squad Selection Pathway
Skills your child builds
Key dates
Last edition
- Dates
- 17 Mar 2026 to 11 Apr 2026
How to apply
- 1Visit the ISDS Young Learners' Academy page on the official website
- 2Submit the online registration form as an individual or team of 3
- 3Complete payment to confirm enrollment
Rules and guidelines
- All sessions are conducted online via Zoom on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday evenings
- Teams of 3 students can register together for a 10% discount
- Team members need not be from the same school
- 100% attendance qualifies participants for ISDS community channel access
Technology requirements
- Computer or laptop with webcam and microphone
- Stable internet connection
- Zoom application installed
Fees and financial support
Fee details
Individual registration: Rs. 15,000 per student. Team of 3 students: Rs. 40,500 total (Rs. 13,500 per student, 10% discount). Teams need not be from the same school.
Refund policy
No refund available.
About this opportunity
The ISDS Young Learners' Academy is a comprehensive course organized by the Indian Schools Debating Society for students in Grades 7 and 8. It is ISDS's only integrated programme for junior students, combining content from the Budding Speaker Launchpad and Junior Academies with concepts interwoven for flexibility across communication and debate settings.
The course runs over 4 weeks with 11 online sessions conducted on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. The curriculum progresses through 5 modules: developing speaking skills and confidence, introduction to WSDC format, argumentation, responses and rebuttal, and evaluation. Each session is 2 hours long, with an expected weekly commitment of 8-10 hours including take-home assignments.
Participants benefit from small batch training with approximately 12 students per trainer, ensuring personalized attention and feedback. The program culminates in a WSDC-format debate tournament in a safe, supportive environment. Top performers receive a direct invitation to later rounds of the Indian National Debate Squad selection process, while attendees with 100% attendance gain access to ISDS's wider student community channel.
What your child will do
- Interactive speaking exercises
- WSDC debate practice rounds
- Argumentation workshops
- Rebuttal drills
- Culminating debate tournament
Academic details
Difficulty: Beginner
What's covered
5 modules over 4 weeks: developing speaking skills and confidence, introduction to WSDC format, argumentation, responses and rebuttal, and evaluation through a tournament.
Frequently asked questions
How can students maximize their learning and skill development throughout the course?
Students can maximize learning by actively participating in all 11 online sessions, completing take-home assignments diligently, and engaging with trainers and peers. Consistent practice and application of learned concepts are crucial for skill development.
What is the expected time commitment for students, and how can they manage it effectively with other academic responsibilities?
The course requires an estimated 8-10 hours per week, including live sessions and assignments. Effective time management involves scheduling dedicated study slots, prioritizing tasks, and communicating with trainers if challenges arise to ensure a balanced approach.
What are the key benefits of enrolling in this course compared to other debate training programs?
This course offers an integrated curriculum combining public speaking and WSDC debate, small batch training for personalized feedback, a direct pathway to the National Debate Squad selection for top performers, and a supportive environment for beginners.
How does the course curriculum prepare students for future debate competitions and public speaking engagements?
The curriculum progresses through five modules covering speaking skills, WSDC format, argumentation, responses, and rebuttal. This structured approach builds a strong foundation, equipping students with essential skills for various competitive and public speaking platforms.
What kind of support and feedback can students expect from the trainers during the program?
Students benefit from small batch training with approximately 12 students per trainer, ensuring personalized attention. Trainers provide constructive feedback on speaking, argumentation, and overall debate performance, fostering continuous improvement.
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