Coaching-led learning
Questions, feedback and encouragement help students develop their own voice.
Communication & Leadership
Debating & Critical Thinking
Think clearly. Listen deeply. Speak with purpose. Build reasoned arguments, listen closely and respond thoughtfully.
Curriculum overviewApply
Register Your Interest Program description
Think clearly. Listen deeply. Speak with purpose.
Debating & Critical Thinking develops students' ability to examine ideas, evaluate information and communicate reasoned arguments in a respectful environment. Students learn how to construct a position, distinguish evidence from opinion, consider alternative perspectives and respond to questions or opposing arguments.
Through structured discussions, collaborative reasoning activities and age-appropriate debates, students practise expressing their views while remaining open to learning from others. The program emphasises intellectual curiosity, careful listening and respectful disagreement. Students learn that effective debating is not about speaking the loudest or defeating another person; it is about communicating reasons clearly and engaging thoughtfully with evidence.
Younger students begin with familiar topics and guided discussion. More experienced students may explore increasingly complex questions involving technology, education, community issues and ethical decision-making.
What students will learn
Purposeful skills, built through practice.
Distinguish claims from evidence
Construct reasoned arguments
Evaluate information
Consider alternative perspectives
Listen and respond respectfully
Reflect on their reasoning
The Forge difference
Why Families Choose Forge Communication & Leadership
A practical, supportive approach built around participation, thoughtful guidance and progressive challenge.
Supportive environment
Progressive challenges allow students to participate at an appropriate pace.
Active participation
Interactive practice, collaboration and speaking activities.
Age-appropriate guidance
Activities are adapted to students' age, interests and experience.
Progressive development
Regular practice, feedback and reflection build on previous learning.
Real-world application
Students practise skills relevant to school and everyday communication.
Curriculum
Core learning, clearly connected.
Each area is developed through guided explanation, practical work, testing and reflection.
Learning area 1
Identifying claims, reasons, examples and evidence.
Learning area 2
Recognising assumptions and evaluating information sources.
Learning area 3
Constructing coherent arguments.
Learning area 4
Understanding and fairly representing alternative viewpoints.
Learning area 5
Listening, questioning and responding respectfully.
Learning area 6
Developing reasoned conclusions and reflecting on arguments.
Eight-session curriculum
A clear journey from first practice to final reflection.
An introductory term sequence. Register your interest to hear when classes open.
- Session 1
Opinions, questions and reasons
Students explore how opinions differ from reasoned explanations.
- Session 2
Claims, evidence and examples
Students identify information that supports an argument.
- Session 3
Building a structured argument
Students organise claims, reasons and evidence.
- Session 4
Listening and asking useful questions
Students practise active listening and constructive questioning.
- Session 5
Considering different perspectives
Students explore alternative interpretations and viewpoints.
- Session 6
Responding to counterarguments
Students practise identifying and responding to opposing arguments.
- Session 7
Preparing a structured debate
Students research and organise arguments for an age-appropriate question.
- Session 8
Debate showcase and reflection
Students participate in a structured debate and evaluate their learning.
Student project
The Reasoned Debate Challenge
Students investigate an age-appropriate question, prepare arguments and participate in a structured debate. Their reflection considers evidence, listening, clarity and how their understanding developed.
Core skills and outcomes
Learning students can explain and apply.
Distinguish claims from evidence
Construct reasoned arguments
Evaluate information
Consider alternative perspectives
Listen and respond respectfully
Reflect on their reasoning
Your Credential Pathway
Learning that leads somewhere beyond attendance.
This course contributes towards the relevant Academy credential pathway. Students who complete the required learning and demonstrate the assessment standard may become eligible for certification.
- 01
Learn
Complete the Academy program.
- 02
Practise
Develop capability through challenges and guided activities.
- 03
Demonstrate
Complete an applied project or performance.
- 04
Assess
Complete the relevant practical assessment and/or certification examination.
- 05
Credential
Earn the relevant Innovate Forge Academy credential when requirements are successfully demonstrated.
Applied credential pathway
Credential opportunity
Applied Communication
Assessment
Practical communication performance + short reflection
Demonstrate
Build and deliver a persuasive argument or debate case.
Next step
Speechcraft
Explore Certification Pathway- Pathway
- Communication
- Current program
- Debating & Critical Thinking
- Assessment type
- Model C — Practical / Performance · Practical communication performance + short reflection
- Exam requirement
- No written exam required — the communication itself is the major evidence
- Prerequisite
- None — readiness and pathway requirements apply
- Next credential
- Speechcraft
Where can this learning lead?
- Course
- Speaking Challenges
- Prepared Speech
- Public Speaking Credential
- Applied Communication
- Speechcraft
Growth & Care approach
More than a course. A supported learning journey.
Educators can model careful listening, respectful disagreement and evidence-based reasoning through age-appropriate discussion and debate.
The exact coaching, mentoring and pastoral-care practices included are confirmed for each program. An individually assigned mentor is not promised.
Explore our learning approachThe Forge App
Continue learning with the Forge App.
Forge is included with every program, at no extra cost. Course activities, project portfolios and educator feedback live in one place, and parents can follow along from the parent portal.
Speaking goals
Presentation resources
Practice reflections
Educator feedback
Suggested learning pathway
Enter where the challenge fits.
Students can begin at an appropriate level based on age, interests and previous experience. This is guidance—not a mandatory prerequisite chain.
Explore
Build
Apply
Advanced Development
Forge learning support
Forge supports speaking goals, presentation resources, practice reflections, educator feedback. Parents can follow progress from the parent portal.
Available sessions
No Debating Critical Thinking session is currently confirmed. Register your interest for approved dates, locations and delivery details.
View Term 1 2027 catalogueFees and enrolment
Fees, available places and enrolment arrangements have not been approved. Register your interest to receive confirmed information.
Register Your InterestFrequently asked
Course questions.
Who is this course suitable for?
Years 5–12. Guidance is matched to learner age and experience. Beginner to advanced. Educators can help families identify an appropriate entry point.
What if my child feels nervous speaking in front of others?
Speaking challenges are intended to be progressive and appropriate to the learner. Preparation, choice, constructive feedback and reflection are emphasised; no particular confidence outcome is guaranteed.
What happens during a typical session?
The program combines explanation, active speaking or listening practice, collaboration, feedback and reflection. The exact activity is adapted to age and experience.
Will students complete a final project?
The Reasoned Debate Challenge: Students investigate an age-appropriate question, prepare arguments and participate in a structured debate. Their reflection considers evidence, listening, clarity and how their understanding developed.
Where and when are classes available?
No date, time, venue, capacity or commencement date is confirmed on this page. Register your interest to receive approved details.
What is the enrolment process?
Use the Register Your Interest action to contact the academy. Enrolment and payment are not activated until an approved process and session are available.
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Explore programCurriculum-connected
Curriculum & capability connections
Debating strengthens argument, evidence and respectful disagreement — skills used across English and Humanities.
Practical skills and activities
- Building arguments with evidence
- Rebuttal and active listening
- Team debates with adjudicator feedback
General capabilities
LiteracyCritical and Creative ThinkingPersonal and Social CapabilityEthical Understanding
View Curriculum Connections
Australian Curriculum v9
- EnglishCore connectionSpeaking and listening: oral presentations, audience awareness and discussion
- Health and Physical EducationSupporting connectionPersonal and social skills, confidence and respectful interaction
Victorian Curriculum
- English — Speaking and listening (Victorian Curriculum 2.0)
- Personal and Social, and Critical and Creative Thinking capabilities
International references
- IB Approaches to Learning — thinking, communication and social skills
- Cambridge learner attributes — confident, reflective, innovative and engaged
These connections show how the program complements school learning. They are not accreditation or endorsement by any curriculum authority, and participation does not replace school assessment. Schools can request a program-level mapping summary.
Forge Discovery Starter Session
New to this learning area?
Not sure whether this program is the right starting point for your child? Explore our Forge Discovery Starter Session and discover an introductory learning experience relevant to your child's interests.
Interested in this program?
Tell us what your learner is curious about and we’ll help identify an appropriate next step.