Introduction to NHSDLC Master Classes

The NHSDLC Master Class series is a specialized, stage-spanning curriculum designed for students who wish to deepen their engagement with debate and speech and to strengthen their competitive readiness for tournaments.

Following a progressive “fundamentals to advanced, theory to practice” pathway, the PF and JWSD tracks are tiered by proficiency, spanning absolute beginners to tournament-ready competitors. Students break through plateau after plateau while systematically sharpening logical reasoning, oral expression, and offensive and defensive argumentation.

Coach Connect is a one-on-one tailored program targeting specific weaknesses, pre-tournament intensives, and advanced refinement. It offers customized lesson planning, manuscript feedback, mock debates, and targeted drills to meet each student’s individualized development and tournament-preparation goals. Together, the system balances standardized instruction with personalized coaching, guiding learners at every level from beginner to tournament elite and cultivating critical thinking, expression, and overall academic competitiveness.

 
1. Public Forum Debate Master Class
2. Junior World Schools Debate Master Class
3. Coach Connect: Private Coaching in Speech & Debate

Public Forum Debate Master Class

From Novice to Open

The PF series centers on Public Forum Debate, the classic American debate format. Built around three pillars—logical construction, manuscript writing, and competitive strategy—it walks debaters through the full format, serving students from 0 experience to those who have competed but hit a plateau, and equipping them with the core logic and in-round skills to perform confidently at any PF tournament.

Course A: PF Novice Foundation
  • Target: Grades 5+ with solid English proficiency (benchmarks: FCE 160+, TOEFL 80+, IELTS 6+, CEFR B2), no prior PF or debate experience.
  • Hours: 28
  • Class size: 4–8
  • Focus: Master PF rules and skills systematically; complete full case preparation on one resolution.
StageObjectiveContent
Stage 1:
PF Fundamentals (8H)
Build foundations; master core debate rules and skills
- PF tournament rules
- Claims & case construction
- Rebuttal & crossfire
- Final focus & summary
- Case writing
Stage 2:
Topic Analysis & Novice Skills (12H)
Deconstruct topic, write a case independently, master round-by-round strategy

 

- Topic analysis
- Pro/con arguments & evidence
- Rebuttal skills & strategy

- Summary strategy/div>

- Mock rounds with feedback
Stage 3:
In-Round Strategy & Novice Prep (8H)

 

 

Master in-round tactics; improve adaptability during tournament

 

 

 

- Advanced skills & tactics
- Case workshop
- Cross-examination & note-taking
- Tournament prep & rules
- Judge adaptation
- Mock tournament with feedback
Course B: PF Novice Tournament Preparation
  • Target: Grades 6+ who have studied PF systematically, know the basic rules, can analyze a resolution at a foundational level, and are preparing for their first PF tournament.
  • Hours: 20
  • Class size: 4–8
  • Focus: Refine debate skills, deepen resolution analysis, and prepare for PF tournaments.
StageObjectiveContent
 
Stage 1: 
Topic Analysis & Novice Skills (12H)
Deconstruct topic, write case independently, master round-by-round strategy

 

- Topic analysis
- Pro/con arguments & evidence
- Rebuttal skills & strategy
- Summary strategy
- Mock rounds with feedback
Stage 2:
In-Round Strategy & Novice Tournament prep (8H)
Master in-round tactics; improve adaptability

 

- Advanced skills & tactics
- Case workshop
- Cross-examination & note-taking
- Tournament prep & rules
- Judge adaptation
- Mock tournament with feedback
Course C: PF Advanced Tournament Preparation
  • Target: Grades 7+ with a strong PF foundation and at least one actual PF tournament on record.
  • Hours: 20
  • Class size: 4-8
  • Focus: Deep-dive topic analysis, refine in-round strategy, and aim for higher rankings and awards this tournament season.
StageObjectiveContent
Stage 1: 
Topic Analysis & Open Skills (8H)

 

Topic breakdown; build an advanced offensive/defensive rebuttal skills

 

- Topic intro & pro/con arguments
- Pro/con rebuttal blocks & deployment
- Pro/con summary strategy & case writing
- Impact weighing & final-focus tactics

 

Stage 2:
In-Round Strategy & Open Tournament prep (8H)
Strengthen in-round performance; apply impromptu strategy; integrate multiple skills
- Analyze varied case strategies
- Analyze & drill summary/final-focus writing
- Elimination-round judge adaptation
- Mock rounds with redo speeches
Stage 3:
Topic Seminar & Extension (4H)
Deep-dive topic background; master advanced strategy and adaptation
- In-depth topic analysis & extension
- Advanced speech strategy & impact analysis

Junior World Schools Debate Master Class

From Basics to Brilliance

The JWSD series is built around the Junior World Schools Debate tournament format. Under the ethos of “deconstructing the world with logic, clashing ideas through language,” it covers rules, speaker roles, motion analysis (prepared + impromptu), rebuttal strategy, and summary techniques, forming a complete learning chain so that students master JWSD rules and command the international debating stage.

Course A: JWSD Beginner Foundation
  • Target: Ages 7–13 with basic English proficiency(benchmarks: PET with Merit, FCE 155–165, TOEFL 70+, IELTS 5.5+) and strong reasoning, but no prior JWSD training.
  • Hours: 22
  • Class size: 3-10
  • Focus: Introduce the JWSD format, key terminology, and speaker roles; build foundational debating experience.
StageObjectiveContent
Stage 1:
JWSD Fundamentals (10H)
Build foundations; master JWSD rules, speaker roles, and basic logic
- JWSD rules overview, POI lecture, key terminology
- Speaker roles & duties
- Motion type analysis
- Claim structure & time management
- Refutation, flip mechanism, acceptance mechanism
Stage 2:
Motion Analysis & Debate Skills (12H)		How to prepare tournament: master prepared and impromptu motion deconstruction, case refinement, and in-round strategy
- Prepared motions: content analysis
- Deep-dive: prepared motion 1
- Deep-dive: prepared motion 2
- Impromptu skill-building
- Impromptu practice
Course B: JWSD Tournament Preparation
  • Target: Ages 7–13 with foundational JWSD training or prior tournament experience.
  • Hours: 24
  • Class size: 3-10
  • Focus: Raise debating proficiency and prepare for the current season’s tournament.
StageObjectiveContent
Motion Analysis & Debate Skills (24H)
Targeted preparation for the current season tournament : case refinement; students apply strategy and skills through practice rounds and feedback
Prepared motions: content analysis
- Deep-dive: prepared motion 1 (Round 1)
- Deep-dive: prepared motion 2 (Round 1)
- Impromptu motions
- Impromptu motion practice

- Impromptu skill-building

Coach Connect: Private Coaching in Speech & Debate

Coach Connect offers elite one-on-one and one-on-two instruction, moving beyond the one-size-fits-all model of large group classes. Coaches design each program around the student’s current level, specific needs, weak areas, goals, and annual tournament calendar. Scheduling is flexible to fit around school commitments, enabling efficient, incremental progress. Students may switch specialist coaches and adjust content freely. Whether for skill refinement, pre-tournament intensive prep, or targeted advancement, the program steadily strengthens English critical thinking and oral expression.

Coach Connect Highlights

Flexible scheduling
Sessions can be booked around school exams, holidays, and travel—no rigid timetable.
Custom courses
Senior academic coaches build programs beyond our standard course catalog—covering niche tournament prep and skill-building—tailored to your specific goals.
Targeted weakness drills
A pre-course diagnostic pinpoints individual gaps. A dedicated coach delivers one-on-one, non-templated instruction focused on case construction, rebuttal, and impromptu delivery, closing gaps efficiently.

Self-paced progression

Students choose session frequency, whether for a short tournament push or long-term systematic growth. High-density, real-time one-on-one coaching is fully focused on the individual, unconstrained by group-class pace.

Course Highlights

“Debate is more than tournaments; it is the accumulation of thought.”

Modular, staged curriculum: from beginner to tournament-level advancement, matched to every proficiency

● NHSDLC Master Classes: Organize debate training into four modules—fundamentals, skills, practice, and extension—and five course types. Students select the level that fits their experience, schedule, goals, preferred format, and tournament calendar. Whether you are a first-timer or a returning debater aiming to break through, there is a starting point for you.

● Coach Connect: Content is fully customized to the student’s level, weaknesses, goals, and schedule. Students design their own plan—from debate initiation to plateau-breaking and award-seeking for experienced competitors—with a personalized growth path.

Theory fused with practice: conceptual breakdown theory with mock rounds practice, growing through drills.

Every course embeds high-drill, instant-feedback sessions. Students do not merely learn theory—they apply it in mock debates, case construction, and rebuttal drills. Coaches provide continuous, targeted feedback so that each rep becomes a step forward.

Distinguished faculty: professional, experienced debate coaches.

Senior coaches stay with students throughout, integrating targeted drills, live rounds, and post-round reviews to convert theory into tournament-ready performance. Periodic feedback reports map strengths and gaps and align long-term learning with preparation goals.

Full support: integrated learning to tournament service.

We provide end-to-end support from learning and preparation to tournament participation. Course assistants help plan the annual tournament calendar, send event reminders, guide registration, and facilitate team matching. Regular check-ins track progress and ensure quality across the arc from classroom instruction to post-tournament review.

Coaching Team

PF Series Head CoachLucas

Coach Lucas has years of speech‑and‑debate experience, competing in over 35 official tournaments in Public Forum, World Schools Debate and Extemp. He has earned Academic All‑American and Superior Distinction honors, won championships at The Cypress Bay Tradition, Nova Titan Invitational and Constellation Invitational, placed Top 5 speaker at Wakefield Flying L, and qualified multiple times for the National Speech & Debate Tournament. He has coached U.S. high‑school debate teams on training, curricula and competition strategies. With solid prep‑coaching experience, he uses a student‑centered approach to tailor learning plans to each learner’s unique speaking style.

JWSD Series Head CoachRobert

Coach Robert graduated from the University of Rijeka, Croatia, and has over ten years of professional debate coaching experience. As a senior debate coach at NHSDIC for nearly three years, he has consistently trained outstanding Chinese debaters who perform exceptionally in international competitions — his students have placed runner-up at the WSDC World Schools Debating Championship and reached the finals of the NHSDLC Annual Championship, winning the Best Speaker award. As a debater himself, he won both the Oxford IV 2023 and Cambridge IV 2023 tournaments, reached the finals of the Princeton University Debate 2024, and advanced to the semifinals of the WUDC World Universities Debating Championship, earning the honor of being ranked among the world's Top 2 debaters. Robert is also a highly experienced adjudicator, having been invited to serve as Chief Adjudicator at the 2025 WUDC finals, demonstrating outstanding industry recognition and professional judgment.

Private Coaching Head CoachNirvana

Coach Nirvana currently majoring in International Relations at Tsinghua University, has also undertaken academic exchange programs at Peking University and Shanghai Jiaotong University, demonstrating long-term dedication to advancing language proficiency and cross-cultural understanding. She distinguished herself by reaching the finals of the International Student Speech Competition for three consecutive years, earning championship titles twice and a third-place finish. Nirvana has further honed her expertise through roles such as handling public relations and research at Tsinghua's Global Communication Office, serving twice as a judge for the NHSDLC tournament, and hosting multiple international university events. Complementing these experiences, she has guided students of various age groups in language training and competition preparation, accumulating substantial practical teaching experience.

Schedule & Enrollment

Fall 2026 Schedule for PF & JWSD Master Classes

CourseTime (China)CoachStart DateStatus
PFPF Novice FoundationSun 14:00–16:00LucasSep 13Started
PFPF Novice FoundationFri 18:00–20:00LucasOct 16Open
PFPF Novice Tournament PrepSun 14:00–16:00LucasSep 13Started
PFPF Novice Tournament PrepFri 18:00–20:00LucasOct 16Open
PFPF Advanced Tournament PrepSun 19:00–21:00LucasSep 13Started
PFPF Advanced Tournament PrepTue 18:00–20:00LucasOct 13Open
JWSDJWSD Beginner FoundationSun 16:00–18:00RobertSep 13Started
JWSDJWSD Beginner FoundationThu 18:00–20:00RobertOct 8Started
JWSDJWSD Tournament PrepSat 16:00–18:00RobertSep 12Started
JWSDJWSD Tournament PrepWed 18:00–20:00RobertOct 7Open

Class hours:

CourseTotal hours
Public Forum Debate Master ClassPF Novice Foundation28H
PF Novice Tournament Prep20H
PF Advanced Tournament Prep20H
 

Junior World Schools Debate Master Class

JWSD Beginner Foundation22H
JWSD Tournament Prep24H
Coach Connect: Private Coaching in Speech & DebatePackage Type:
10 class hours
20 class hours
30 class hours
*1-on-1 and 1-on-2 are priced the same.

How to Enroll

Process: scan the QR code → complete the Master Class interest form → scan to enroll and pay via the mini-program.


Scan to complete the interest form


Scan to enroll and pay via the mini-program

FAQs

- About the PF & JWSD Master Classes -
Q1: Can I take the course with no debate experience at all?
Yes. We offer courses at different levels for different backgrounds. Complete beginners may enroll in the foundational course for their chosen format. The PF foundation track is suited to students with strong English and reasoning but no American debate experience; the JWSD foundation track is for ages 7–13 with English and logical reasoning but no JWSD training. Note that “no experience” refers to debate background—English proficiency is still required.
Q2: What English level is required? Is instruction fully in English?
All courses are taught in English, and all drills are conducted in English. Requirements across the four skills vary by level; see the standardized test benchmarks, or book an online placement assessment with a coach.
Q3: How do I choose between PF and JWSD?
The two formats emphasize different skills; choose based on the student’s interest, age, level, and experience. For a detailed comparison, contact our admissions advisor for guidance.
Q4: Does manuscript feedback mean I will be handed a finished script?
No. Coaches guide students in writing their own constructive, rebuttal, and summary scripts on both sides and provide sample cases. We do not write full tournament manuscripts for students; what we provide is modeling, coaching, and refinement feedback.
Q5: Can a PF student enroll directly in JWSD advanced?
Not automatically. PF and JWSD differ in rules and training priorities. The JWSD advanced track is for students with foundational JWSD training or prior JWSD tournament experience. The course team will first assess the student’s command of JWSD speaker roles, motions, and rules before approving direct entry.
Q6: How are classes delivered? Are one-on-one or in-person options available?
Master Classes are small-group live online sessions on Tencent Meeting, at a fixed time with a fixed cohort, once weekly for two hours. For one-on-one, book Coach Connect online; for in-person, join our winter/summer residential camps.
Q7: Can I enroll without a partner? Can you guarantee one?
You may enroll individually; no partner is required. If you plan to compete in tournaments, we can provide matchmaking support, but we cannot guarantee a match, a specific timeline, an equivalent skill level, or long-term team stability.
Q8: Can missed classes be made up? Are refunds, transfers, or credit-holding available?
Yes, under our standard leave-and-make-up policy: notified absences may be made up via recorded class replays or, where available, by sitting in on an equivalent-level section. For long-term inability to attend, students may apply for refunds, section transfers, or credit retention.
- About Coach Connect Private Coaching -
Q1: How long is one session, and how many are booked per appointment?
One session is 60 minutes. Bookings start at one session; 1.5–2 sessions per appointment are recommended for effective learning.
Q2: Can I mix one-on-one and one-on-two bookings?
Yes. Choose one-on-one for focused, precision work, or one-on-two for interactive paired learning—whichever fits your rhythm and goals.
Q3: How do I choose a session package?
Choose by need. For a clearly defined, narrow skill gap, a 10-session package usually suffices. For broader or longer-term goals, 20- or 30-session packages offer better value.