Question 1

What age should my child start?

Accepted Answer

Students can start at Atlantic Ivy from age 5 in our Public Speaking track, where classes build confidence through games, storytelling, and short presentations rather than formal argument. Between ages 8 and 10 students move into structured speech-building and beginner debate activities, and formal competitive debate training normally begins around age 10-11, when students are ready for argumentation, rebuttal, and evidence. From roughly age 12 students can train fully competitively in formats like World Schools and Public Forum and join tournament teams, including our international trips to competitions such as the Harvard Invitational. There is no 'too late' point: motivated teenagers regularly enter at 14-16 and progress quickly with focused coaching. If you're unsure, book a free trial class — the coach will place your child in the right age band (5-7, 8-10, 11-14, or 15-18) and level.

Question 2

How do I know which level is right for my child?

Accepted Answer

Book a free consultation or trial class and we'll assess your child's age, current abilities, and goals directly. As a rule of thumb: students aged 5-10 start in Public Speaking, which builds delivery and confidence; students from about 10-11 with some speaking comfort join Debate Academy, our structured pathway through argumentation, rebuttal, and formats like World Schools; and our Scholars programs — small, invitation-based groups of 6-8 students — are for students showing clear competitive potential. Our curriculum is organised into ten levels across four stages (Introduction L1-2, Foundation L3-4, Academy L5-7, Scholars L8-10), so there is always a defined next step. You can also use the free online skills assessment on our website, which produces a level recommendation and a four-week learning plan before you ever visit the centre.

Question 3

What is the class size?

Accepted Answer

Public Speaking and Debate Academy classes are capped at 8-10 students. Scholars programs are smaller still — 6-8 students — because competitive preparation needs intensive individual attention. We keep groups this size deliberately: in a debate or speech class the scarce resource is speaking time, and in a class of 8-10 every student delivers speeches, receives individual coach feedback, and takes part in practice rounds every single week, rather than watching others perform. Small classes also let coaches track each student against the level objectives in our ten-level curriculum and adjust assignments individually. The same caps apply to our live online classes over Zoom. For students who want maximum attention — for example when preparing for a specific tournament or essay competition — we also offer 1-on-1 coaching alongside group classes.

Question 4

Do you offer trial classes?

Accepted Answer

Yes — new students can take a free trial class before enrolling, with no payment or commitment required. Your child joins a real session at their age band, so you see the actual class size (8-10 students), teaching style, and practice structure, not a demo. Afterwards the coach gives you direct feedback on your child's level and recommends a starting point in our curriculum — Public Speaking, Debate Academy, or, for students with competitive potential, a Scholars group. Trials are available for in-person classes at our Barsha Heights centre and for live online classes. To arrange one, book through the website or contact us on WhatsApp; we'll match a trial slot to your child's age and schedule within the current 10-week semester.

Question 5

What debate formats do you teach?

Accepted Answer

We teach the four major competitive formats: World Schools (WSDC), British Parliamentary (BP), Public Forum (PF), and Lincoln-Douglas (LD), plus Model United Nations for students who prefer diplomacy-style speaking. Most students start with World Schools because it is the standard format in the GCC and the format used at events like the Cambridge ICYD; it balances prepared and impromptu motions and builds teamwork. Public Forum — used at the Harvard Invitational, where our students achieved a 50% break rate in 2026 — comes next for students targeting US tournaments, while British Parliamentary matches UK competitions like Oxford Schools. Advanced students add formats based on their competition calendar. Our coaches specialise by format, several having competed or judged at world-championship level in the specific format they teach.

Question 6

How do payments work?

Accepted Answer

Enrolment is per semester — 10 weekly sessions — with payment due at registration. Early-bird pricing offers a significant discount for families who register before the published deadline each term, and payment plans are available on request. We accept card payments through our online store as well as bank transfer and cash at the centre. Pricing varies by program: Public Speaking and Debate Academy group classes are priced per 10-week term, Scholars programs (6-8 students) are priced separately, and 1-on-1 coaching is available in tiered packages. All current prices are listed openly on the course store — every course card shows the exact semester fee in AED or USD before you book anything, so there are no surprises at checkout.

Question 7

What if my child misses a class?

Accepted Answer

We record key lectures and provide make-up materials so a missed week doesn't become a gap in the curriculum. Because our program follows a structured ten-level pathway with defined weekly topics, the coach knows exactly what your child missed and can assign the relevant materials and exercises before the next session. For missed practice rounds and speeches — the part recordings can't replace — we coordinate directly with the coach to fit your child into practice time in the following weeks so they stay on track. If you know in advance about an extended absence (travel, exams, school commitments), contact us early: coaches can front-load assignments or arrange catch-up support so your child rejoins the class at the same level as their peers.

Question 8

Do you help with tournament registration?

Accepted Answer

Yes — tournament support is a core part of the program. We handle registration for competitions, find and match debate partners, and run pre-tournament preparation specific to each event, including case preparation for the motions and formats used at that competition. For international tournaments such as the Harvard Invitational, Oxford Schools, Cambridge ICYD, and the Yale Invitational, our tournament trips are all-inclusive: round-trip flights, hotel accommodation, meals, 70+ hours of coaching combining online preparation with an in-person bootcamp, tournament registration, and on-site coach support throughout the event. Trips are open to enrolled students aged 11-18, with divisions for different experience levels. The results speak for the preparation: at the Harvard Invitational 2026 our students achieved a 50% break rate, with a JV quarterfinalist and multiple Top Speaker awards.

Debate Classes & Coaching in Dubai

50% Break Rate at Harvard 2026

From Shy Beginner to World Champion

Public Speaking

Fundamentals of Public Speaking

Junior Public Speaking

Debate Academy

Junior Debate Academy

Junior MUN

Atlantic Ivy Scholars

John Locke Basics

Ivy Scholar

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Coaching Schedule

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Essay Basics

John Locke Basics

Ivy Scholar

Fundamentals of Public Speaking

Junior Debate Academy

Junior Public Speaking

Junior MUN

Senior Debate Academy

Senior Public Speaking

Intro to Public Forum Jr

Intro to Public Forum Sr

Advanced Public Forum Jr

Advanced Public Forum Sr

Why Debate & Public Speaking?

Core Benefits

Research & Knowledge

Critical Thinking

Persuasion Skills

Global Community

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Stand Out

Research-Backed Results

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Oprah Winfrey

Elinor Ostrom

Samuel Alito

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