The Curriculum
We teach process. The other summer institutes will push research deadlines onto young debaters before they even know how to debate. Instead of studying their lecture notes and giving practice speeches, the students have to blindly waddle through articles not even knowing what to find, or even how to find it. We do not have time to research every corner of the topic comprehensively. That institute curriculum model is both obsolete and impossible to fulfill. The HDI will place emphasis on a debater knowing the fundamental skills necessary to win debates, like knowing how to research efficiently, knowing how to deliver winning rebuttals, knowing how to develop strategy, knowing how to poke holes in arguments during cross-examination, etc.
Our schedule is quite ambitious. Each debater will debate in at least nine (9) debate rounds, and participate in at least twelve (12) rounds, thanks to our brand new innovative format, the Lab-wide Debate Round, which allows everyone in a twelve (12) person lab to be involved in a debate round.
The Track Record of Success
The five program directors have over 85 years of experience in the activity with proven track records of winning at the local, state, (FFL) and national level both in high school (TOC, NFL, and NCFL) and in college (NDT/CEDA). No other workshop in Florida can boast of these achievements.
Individualized attention
We will guarantee a 6:1 lab leader to student ratio. Our instructors are experienced lab leaders and successful debate coaches who understand how to effectively control the dynamics of a small group setting. Additionally, our innovative Lab-wide Debate Round format guarantees that each student in a lab of 12 will participate in debates while still being able to watch others debate in the same round. Finally, each lab leader will provide a daily written evaluation of each student’s progress in the lab.
The University of Miami Debate Team and the School of Communication
As the only high school debate workshop in the state of Florida sponsored and backed by its university, its School of Communication, and its collegiate Debate Team, the Hurricane Debate Institute (HDI) assures that the quality of both the teaching instruction and the facilities will be world class.
Most importantly, we're the BEST ECONOMIC VALUE around!
We understand that these are tough economic times. As writers, teachers, graduate students, and educators, we at the HDI understand what it's like to struggle with daily needs. This is why we strive to keep our costs low. However, this doesn't stop us from providing the best possible debate education for your child. Having the support of the University of Miami means that we are fully committed to the professional and educational goals of the institution.
We encourage you to compare us to any other workshop in terms of price and quality. We know you will find us to be your best option.
