Breaking
Barriers,
Building
Confidence.
Using debate and speech to provide students with a lifetime of benefits beyond the classroom
The DSDC Difference
Expert Coaching Team
A carefully selected group of award-winning coaches around the world who are dedicated to fostering a nurturing environment where students thrive, encouraging excellence through a development of skills and building confidence from our carefully curated curriculum taught by coaches who are committed to helping students excel.
Individualized Attention
A unique opportunity to access tailored training and resources, with curriculums designed to meet the level, abilities, and goals of every student to support a healthy and supportive environment designed for individual growth. Along with report cards at the end of each semester, we provide written feedback to students and parents each class.
Leadership Opportunities
Develop leadership skills while students expand their network through volunteering at our tournaments, coupled with the potential to advance to teaching assistant and paid teaching positions, gaining valuable mentorship opportunities along the way while building a resume for university and job applications.
Our Mission
The Debate and Speech Development Community (DSDC) is a global online debate coaching institution founded in Vancouver, Canada, in 2017. With a diverse coaching team and students from around the world, we are dedicated to breaking down barriers by delivering world-class coaching at an affordable cost while practicing fee transparency. Our mission is to expand access to exceptional debate and speech training, empowering students to excel and thrive in these transformative disciplines.
Our Classes
Public Speaking
Our public speaking classes provide in-depth training and practice in Impromptu Speaking, Persuasive Speaking, and Interpretive Reading, helping students to prepare for public speaking competitions, and develop confidence and eloquence that can be applied in competitive or educational settings.
Debate
Our debate classes cater to various ages and skill levels, offering comprehensive training in a wide range of competitive formats, including World Schools, British Parliamentary, Canadian National Debate Format (CNDF), and Cross-Examination. With group and private sessions, there are options for students of all ages and skill levels.
World Scholar’s Cup
Our WSC classes prepare students for all competition formats and subjects. Students also gain insight into strategies to qualify to the Global Rounds and Tournament of Champions (TOC). With a 100% success rate in qualifying students to advanced levels since 2020, our academy ensures thorough preparation and exceptional results.
Our Team
Meet the passionate team of youth behind the organization
Hear from our students
Angela M.
Student, Grade 8
“DSDC has been my home for debate ever since I started three years ago—without the consistent support of my various coaches over the years, I wouldn’t have gotten to where I am today. Under the guidance of Tim, Archie, and Rebecca, I’ve seen myself visibly improve in confidence and critical thinking; specifically, the lessons given by Tim at the start of every class on various social issues have helped broaden my horizons a lot. Outside of that, Rebecca’s feedback and Archie’s ability to explain complicated concepts in simple language have been helpful in improving the strategic part of my debates.”
Ryland C.
Student, Grade 9
“The coaches at DSDC always provide thoughtful feedback, able to identify your mistakes and explain different solutions, and it is clear they put much effort into developing lessons with the students development in mind. Outside of just debate, the abilities I have developed have been invaluable throughout my life, important to school presentations, writing assignments, and logical reasoning. Many of the benefits from taking DSDC classes are more subtle, building a better understanding of the world and encouraging me to research things I find interesting.”
Zoe L.
Junior Coach (Former Student)
“As a former DSDC student, I’ve experienced firsthand how this journey in debate changes you. Every challenge I overcame built my confidence and skills in public speaking and critical thinking. However, more importantly, it also showed me what I was truly capable of. Now as a teacher, I get to not only help students discover and refine their own strengths, but also teach students that the most important parts of your journey won’t be in the slideshows – they’ll be in those moments when you face a seemingly impossible challenge and prove to yourself that you can overcome it.”
Daniel W.
Student, Grade 9
“The environment of DSDC itself is, as I describe, simply wonderful. The teachers are supportive of every individual student and will help them to their fullest effort, and are very ardent towards developing the young minds of our next generation. Over all the years I’ve spent in this godsend of a debate institution, you would not believe how much I have learned from DSDC. DSDC is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I’ve learned so much not just from my teachers, but other students as well, and I’ve made many friendships and have had so much fun.”
Catherine W.
Junior Coach (Former Student)
“I still remember my first debate speech. Unfamiliar faces, a daunting topic I knew nothing about, a tangle of debate jargon. Yet, amid my mind’s chaos, DSDC was warm and supportive. Rebecca whispered guidance when I couldn’t find my next words. Even classmates that I’ve never met before cheered me on. Strangers became year-long friends. DSDC is the extended family you willingly want to meet up with. From being a nervous pre-teenager to a young adult (with more confidence!), DSDC has taught me the skills of arguing and teaching with compassion..”
Akash K.
Junior Coach (Former Student)
“As I look back, DSDC has provided me with incredibly important skills and has instilled a confidence that has shaped me into the person I am today. Through engaging classes, talented coaches, and a supportive community, I gained confidence and developed a deeper understanding of the world around me.
I’m honoured to teach at this organization; I believe that DSDC teaches something larger than debate – it creates a deeper sense of confidence and a lifelong passion for understanding diverse perspectives and using one’s voice to inspire change.”
Emily C.
Junior Coach (Former Student)
“DSDC shaped me into the debater I am today. Beyond just learning about argumentation or refutation, I formed life-long friendships with both my coaches and peers in a collaborative, warm environment—something that is becoming increasingly rare. Rebecca has been an especially important mentor figure to me, sparking my interest not just in politics, but in law and social justice. Her guidance has transformed me into the confident person I am today and I hope to help other students in the way she has helped me.”
Bob Z.
Student, Grade 12
“I remember it was the fall of 2016 when my mother first introduced me to Rebecca and suggested I try debate. She took me to a rented space in White Rock to meet Rebecca, who, at the time, was just a Grade 10 student. Initially, I was skeptical—it felt a bit unusual to have a peer as a coach, and I didn’t know anyone or feel particularly comfortable socializing.
However, my first class with Rebecca completely changed my perspective. She started with introductions, cracked jokes, and organized fun games that broke the ice and made everyone feel at ease. These activities seamlessly incorporated speech elements, debate techniques, and formal communication skills. It was in that moment I realized learning with Rebecca would be worth it. That decision was a turning point—not just for my entry into debate but also for developing skills in speech, writing, structured analysis, and standing by my beliefs with logical reasoning.
Thanks to Rebecca’s coaching, I met many incredible people, improved my confidence and speaking abilities, and participated in numerous tournaments across the Lower Mainland. Rebecca also introduced us to new opportunities, including major social events and competitions like the World Scholar’s Cup (WSC), which even took me to Australia. These experiences profoundly shaped me into the person I am today—someone who can confidently express themselves, navigate social situations, and approach the world with a deeper understanding of its complexities.”
DSDC 