If you had to choose between facing death, seeing a spider or speaking in public, which would it be?
There鈥檚 no argument over which option some of our young leaders would choose!
Public speaking is commonly ranked as the number one phobia, but students at mini传媒 are suited up in an armour of cool confidence and delectable diction. Watch out, parliament!
English teacher, Mr Elisa, believes Debating Club is a way for students to improve their leadership skills and that it helps them practice English in a fun, unique way.
鈥淭he students enjoy the competition 鈥� it makes learning a new language exciting!鈥� Mr Elisa enthused.聽
During Graduation Week, Standard 6 students impressed our international visitors with their quick wit in a two-hour series of debates.
Topics on the table ranged from 鈥榬ural life is better than urban life鈥� and 鈥榚ducation is better than money鈥�, to 鈥榖oarding school is better than day school鈥�.
Student Council Secretary, Faith, stood with poise and spoke eloquently as Madam Speaker of the debate. It was her job to choose the winner of her round 鈥� that 鈥榯eachers are better than robots鈥�.
鈥淭he opposing side said that robots just give students motivation. Children need to also have love to be motivated, and teachers give love. So we decided that鈥� teachers are better than robots!鈥�
The audience couldn鈥檛 agree more. Our international visitors wildly applauded the brave students, who humbly accepted the praise.
鈥淚 do debating because I would like to be a leader in the future and I love to speak in front of people!鈥� Faith giggled.
Faith鈥檚 debate-mates, Nice and Rahim, couldn鈥檛 agree more.
鈥淒ebating gives me the courage to share my feelings. The teachers who help us are confident and we learn from them as well,鈥� said Nice.
鈥淲hen you debate, you gain knowledge, hear many opinions and learn about differences,鈥� Rahim added.聽
Whether for personal growth or leadership pursuits, our students are determined to use their 鈥榞ift of the gab鈥� to serve the community.
鈥淚 want to increase my confidence because if I am to become a leader, then being a good speaker will help me express the wishes of the people I want to help,鈥� Faith explained.
Mr Elisa knows Faith鈥檚 commitment will serve her well.
鈥淔aith鈥檚 English is especially good because she is always speaking and practicing her skills.鈥�
Fearless Faith and her friends are only 12 years old and already they鈥檝e conquered one of the world鈥檚 most terrifying tasks! With a St Jude鈥檚 education under their belts, there鈥檚 surely no podium too high for them to reach 鈥� we can鈥檛 wait to see what else these young leaders will conquer!
Consider a聽visit to mini传媒, where you'll take part in the action and get to meet some of Tanzania's future leaders!
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