Weekly Live Practice
Students debate real motions every week in small groups of 8 to 12. Coaches run the room, referee practice rounds, and give written feedback after every session.
Breaking Barriers, Building Confidence
Online Debate & Public Speaking Classes
Award-winning coaches. Personalized feedback every class. 5,000+ students coached worldwide.
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The DSDC Difference
Expert Coaching Team
Award-winning coaches from top universities worldwide, dedicated to nurturing every student's potential through our carefully curated curriculum.
Individualized Attention
Tailored curriculum and personalized feedback every class, with semester report cards for both students and parents to track progress.
Leadership Opportunities
Volunteer at tournaments, advance to teaching roles, and build a resume that stands out for university and job applications.
5000+
Students Coached
7+
Years of Experience
100%
WSC Qualification Rate
20+
Expert Coaches
Where Our Students Compete
Canadian National Debate Championships
US National Debate Championships
World University Debating Championships
Stanford Invitational
Princeton Invitational
World Scholar's Cup - Yale
Oxford Schools Championships
Georgetown Public Forum
UBC Debate Tournaments
SFU Worlds Schools Championships
BC Provincial Championships
Harvard Model United Nations
How It Works
Getting started is simple — here's what to expect.
- Step 1
Book a Free Call
Schedule a 15-minute consultation with our team to discuss your child's interests and goals.
- Step 2
Get a Personalized Recommendation
We'll recommend the right class based on your child's age, experience level, and aspirations.
- Step 3
Start Learning Online
Your child joins live classes via Zoom with personalized feedback from expert coaches every session.
Ready to begin? The free consultation takes about 15 minutes and there’s no commitment.
Book Your Free CallOur Mission
Founded in Vancouver in 2017, DSDC is an award-winning online debate and public speaking academy with 5,000+ students coached, 20+ expert coaches from top universities, and a 100% World Scholar's Cup qualification rate since 2020. We empower students to develop confidence, critical thinking, and communication skills that last a lifetime.
At a Glance
DSDC (Debate & Speech Development Community) is an online debate and public speaking academy founded in Vancouver, Canada in 2017.
DSDC offers live Zoom classes for students in Grades 4 through 12 and university students, with class sizes of 8 to 12 students.
Coaches include competitors from the Canadian National Debate Team, World University Debating Championships, and universities including UBC and SFU.
DSDC teaches CNDF, British Parliamentary, World Schools, and Cross-Examination debate formats.
Group class pricing ranges from $30 to $50 CAD per hour.
DSDC maintains a 100% World Scholar's Cup qualification rate from regionals to the Tournament of Champions at Yale since 2020.
We serve students across Canada and around the world through live online classes. Looking for Vancouver-specific programs? Explore our Vancouver debate classes page.
Meet Our TeamOur Classes
Live online debate and public speaking classes for students in Grades 4–12, taught by coaches from Canada’s National Debate Team.
Join Canada's Online Debate Club
DSDC runs a Canada-wide online debate club for students in Grades 4 to 12. Members meet weekly over Zoom, practice with a consistent peer group, and get direct coaching from Canadian National Debate Team alumni - without leaving home.
A National Peer Group
Unlike a small in-person debate club, DSDC puts students alongside peers from Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary, Ottawa, and beyond. Searching "debate club near me" stops mattering when the club comes to you.
Tournament-Ready Coaching
Club members train for CNDF, British Parliamentary, World Schools, and Cross-Examination formats, plus Canadian Nationals and World Scholar's Cup.
Upcoming Cohort Schedule
DSDC runs four term-based cohorts each year so students can join at a sensible starting point. Schedules are announced a few weeks before each intake - contact us to reserve a spot before the cohort fills.
September 2026 - December 2026
Fall 2026
Core debate and public speaking classes for Novice, Junior, Senior, and Advanced students. New Novice cohorts open every fall for beginners in Grades 4-6.
January 2027 - March 2027
Winter 2027
Continuing cohorts plus new Novice intakes. Canadian Nationals prep for senior competitors and Winter intensives for students preparing for BC and Ontario tournaments.
April 2027 - June 2027
Spring 2027
Tournament season wraps up and students finish the year with showcase debates. New Public Speaking cohorts open for kids who want to try speaking before committing to full debate.
July 2027 - August 2027
Summer 2027
Summer debate camps, intensive 2-week tracks for beginners, and World Scholar's Cup Global Round preparation for qualifying students.
Prefer to compare programs before booking? See all class levels and pricing or review our published group rates.
Explore DSDC
Compare classes, review coaching credentials, or jump into our top guide.
All Classes
Compare every debate and public speaking program.
See Pricing
Transparent tuition and what's included.
Debate for Kids
Online debate classes for Grades 4-12.
Public Speaking for Kids
Build confidence with live speaking classes.
Guide to Debate in Canada
Our top-performing guide to the Canadian pathway.
Meet the Coaches
Credentials and experience behind DSDC.
Student Results
Tournament placements and WSC outcomes.
Read the FAQ
Class levels, scheduling, and registration.
Hear From Our Students
“DSDC has been my home for debate ever since I started three years ago. Under the guidance of Tim, Archie, and Rebecca, I've seen myself visibly improve in confidence and critical thinking. The lessons on social issues have helped broaden my horizons tremendously.”
A
Angela M.
Student, Grade 8
Frequently Asked Questions
We offer classes for students in Grades 4 through 12, with programs tailored to each age group — Novice (Grades 4–6), Junior (Grades 7–9), Senior (Grades 10–12), and Advanced Competitive (Grades 10–12).
Ready to Unlock Your Child's Potential?
Join over 1,000 students who have transformed their confidence and skills through DSDC.
Or email us: education@dsdc.ca