Student Voice through Speech and Debate
We facilitate oral literacy to help students speak about personally and socially relevant issues. Students engage in different types of oral communication, including their choice of storytelling, advocacy, presentation, podcasting, extemporaneous speaking, civil discourse, and debate. We help youth communicate effectively and speak up in life.
Mentorship for Young Leaders
We convene young leaders through our Civic Leaders Academy and Junior Board of Directors. Civic Leader students work with community mentors to clarify their point of view on social issues as they participate in podcasts and panels. Junior Board members for The Practice Space or in one of our district/nonprofit partnerships learn how to guide systemic change.
Confidence through Creative Expression
We make it fun and healing to build confidence on a stage. Our performance events showcase student identities through original and published stories, poems, monologues, and scenes. Students demonstrate how public speaking is a performance art as they communicate human emotion, create characters, and make strong choices.
Networking and Work Experience
We support career pathways and work experience through paid teaching jobs for youth and networking events. Students learn how to facilitate and engage groups as they coach children and give back to their community. Students practice communication skills that are relevant to their future careers, including networking, interviewing, pitching, and presenting.
Engagement Options
All programs are taught by caring, skilled coaches with relevant backgrounds and an array of life experiences
Programs offered:
- On-site in SF Bay Area schools, often through District Expanded Learning Departments, including camps and after-school programs
- In-house at The Practice Space office in Richmond, CA, including scrimmages, leadership academies, and summer camps
- Custom offerings designed with families, schools, and districts, including virtual online programs, private lessons, and Junior Boards
Meet Erantha
Erantha was introduced to The Practice Space through his school’s Speech & Debate team in 10th grade, and is now an assistant coach, member of our Junior Board, and youth evaluator for his city’s Department of Children and Youth. “Being a confident speaker has helped me talk to my professors, speak up in clubs, make more friends and create so many new opportunities for myself. Even a very simple conversation and exchange of information has evolved into something amazing for me.”
Meet Mistura
Mistura was always passionate about social issues, but never had an outlet until she joined our after-school programs in 7th grade. She believes she built her confidence through debate experience and joining The Practice Space leadership opportunities, such as chairing the Junior Board, helping with curriculum, and advising our strategic plan. Now at UC Merced, Mistura reflects on how her public speaking skills allowed her to get hired at the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities, a job typically reserved for upperclassmen. As a campus leader, she is on the Executive Board of the Campus Activities Office and was elected to the Academic Senate.