Debate

I first didn't know what debate even was until I entered a hagwon (a for-profit private educational institution) that taught different levels of debate with different groups of students, and I started in the "orientation group". And that's how I began my debating journey.

I just learned about rebuttals and what they were when I was called to try and give a speech on a topic. I was standing in front of a podium, with a paper that only had the words 'rebuttal' and 'speech' with a colon right after it. I could barely think of the words that I was supposed to say. I was the first speaker, basically introducing my side of the topic and some reasons that my team will explain. I had a timer of 5 minutes to speak, yet I only filled 1 minute and a half. I knew I was nervous, but I didn't realize how speedily I was talking and mumbling that couldn't let the judges hear anything I said.

But all didn't happen in the hagwon. I eventually moved on to an online class instead, and within a few months, I was preparing for the Junior tournament. I was able to get in the top 10 of the tournament with my team, and overall I will have to agree that I've developed greatly in a year with my debating skills.