Debrecen4U
October 13, 2025
DEbate: The English-Language Debate Forum for Secondary School Students Is Back
This year’s central theme is linked to the 250th anniversary of the United States’ independence.
For the eighth time, the Institute of English and American Studies at the University of Debrecen’s Faculty of Humanities is announcing its national English-language debate competition for secondary school students, organized in cooperation with the U.S. Embassy in Budapest and the American Corner Debrecen.
As in previous years, students can apply in teams of three, led by a mentor teacher. They will compete across multiple rounds, showcasing their knowledge, argumentation, presentation, and research skills.
In the first round, teams must submit a creative video related to the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence. In the semifinals and the grand final—held in Debrecen in spring 2026—participants will debate pre-assigned topics.
“This is an important program for the Embassy, as it encourages open debate and improves English language skills. This year’s competition is especially significant for us, as it draws attention to the series of events celebrating the upcoming 250th anniversary of U.S. independence. The debate topics will highlight America’s leadership in democracy, innovation, and civic engagement, offering students the chance to reflect on values that remain vital today, Jeff Adler, Public Affairs Counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Budapest, said according to dehir.hu
The first key deadline is November 1, by which students must register for the competition.
“We hope interest will remain widespread, and that—just like in previous years—we’ll meet talented students and their mentors from across the country. The competition helps participants develop essential 21st-century skills such as critical thinking, research, and argumentation. Our custom learning materials can also support their preparation,” Balázs Venkovits, Director of the Institute of English and American Studies and founder of the competition, emphasized.
Registered teams will have a short time to complete the first round: videos must be submitted by November 17.
“When evaluating the videos, we’ll consider the strength of the arguments, creativity, English proficiency, teamwork, and presentation skills. The creators of the most outstanding videos will be invited to participate in live debates using the Karl Popper format,” explained Zsuzsanna Lénárt-Muszka, Assistant Lecturer at the Institute and lead organizer of the competition.
Further details and information are available on the event’s Facebook page and the Institute’s website.
Source: dehir.hu | Photo credit: Pixabay
