HPDU連盟杯兵庫県予選会に参加しました

On Monday February 12, the three PDA students who took part in the PDA National Tournament participated in the High School Parliamentary Debate Union of Japan (HPDU of Japan) national tournament Hyogo Prefecture Qualifying Round.

The HPDU uses a different style of parliamentary debate compared to the style used by PDA. More details can be found here. The broad differences are as follows:

Preparation time

・PDA: 15 minutes

・HDPU: 20 minutes

Speaking time

・PDA: Between 2 minutes 30 seconds and 3 minutes per speaker

・HDPU: Between 4 and 5 minutes per speaker

Number of speaking roles

・PDA: 3 roles

・HDPU: 4 roles

Scoring system

・PDA: A balance of content and expression with examples favoured

・HDPU: Logic-based content valued most highly

The differences in the two styles mean that HDPU debates are longer and more challenging. It was to challenge themselves that our students wanted to try it.

There were three rounds before the final. The motions for these rounds were: This house would require all internet users to use their real names; This house would introduce mandatory retirement age for all politicians; and This house would ban combat sports. (Combat sports are a type of sport where people physically fight using punches, kicks, holds, or a combination of these.) Although our team lost these rounds and did not progress to the final, the trying this more challenging form of debate was a valuable experiences for them and they used the feedback from judges to improve. Of particular importance were the following:

Being sure to use ideas clearly relevant to the motion
Trying harder to connect their ideas logically
Considering the positive and negative effects of the motions in more detail

For the younger members of the team, these points will be especially useful for them if they choose to continue debating next year as they also apply to the PDA style.

One thing that was especially pleasing to see is the development of our students' confidence as all three members have become able to talk at length on debate motions with a calm and powerful speaking style. Well done!

Although we only tried a little of the HDPU this year, the teachers in charge of our PDA activities will consider adding this as an extra option for students who want to do more with their English debating.

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