We had another great English Debating club trip to Stuttgart! Our club took part in a debate competition with two topics: “This House Prefers Celebrating Friendships Over Romance on Valentine’s Day” and “This House Would Close All Zoos.”
On January 17, 2025, our club, along with Miss Bopp, headed to Stuttgart for the competition. We caught an early train from Frankfurt’s main station and arrived in Stuttgart, where the debates were held at the Dillmann-Gymnasium, a school that opened in 1867.
Our first challenge was an impromptu debate, where speakers must argue on a spontaneous topic with very little time to prepare. The topic was “This House Prefers Celebrating Friendships Over Romance on Valentine’s Day.” Our team—Sofia, Josi, and Chloé— had just one hour to prepare their speeches. We argued against the motion and lost by only two points to the ninth graders from Pestalozzi Gymnasium Biberach, making it a very close and exciting start.
Next, we took part in a prepared debate against the team from Dillmann-Gymnasium. In a prepared debate, the topic is given in advance, so you have time to organize and refine your arguments at home or at school. Our school supported the motion “This House Would Close All Zoos.” Our team — Pyain, Xiaoyang, and Leopold — gave three strong speeches full of solid arguments, and even though our opponents were skilled, we managed to win.
Later, we jumped into another debate as a swing (backup) team as one team couldn’t participate. Once again, the topic was “This House Would Close All Zoos,” and our team—Arya, Marietta, and Sofia—argued for the motion. Both teams delivered strong speeches and exchanged solid arguments. Although International School Frankfurt debating team came well-prepared, our debaters fought with passion and competed as equals. In the end, however, the International School Frankfurt team won.
Overall, it was an exciting trip and we learned a lot. We can’t wait for our next debate!
Written by: Sofia Leonhard