Academy

Speech & Debate Academy (SDA) is an after-school program where youth build confidence, critical thinking, communication, and public speaking skills in a supportive environment

  • No previous experience required
  • Classes are available for students in grades 7 to 10.
  • Classes are grouped by age and skill level.
  • Students meet once a week for 10 weeks each term.
  • You can sign up for one term at a time, or multiple terms.
  • Multiple options:
    • Speech classes are offered online.
    • French debate classes are offered in Saskatoon.
    • English debate classes are offered in Saskatoon, Regina, and online.

Which type of class is right for my child?

Speech classes focus on helping students communicate and present their own ideas effectively. Currently only offered online. In Speech classes, students will: 

  • Build confidence speaking in front of others. 
  • Communicate ideas clearly by structuring and delivering persuasive speeches. 
  • Learn communication and speaking skills. 
  • Prepare persuasive speeches, interpretive readings, and practice impromptu speaking.

Debate classes focus on analyzing issues, building arguments, and responding to opposing viewpoints. Currently offered in Regina, Saskatoon, and online. Currently offered in both English and French! In debate classes, students will: 

  • Build confidence speaking in front of others. 
  • Think critically about complex issues. 
  • Build compelling arguments supported by evidence and examples. 
  • Refine debate-specific skills such as refutation, argument construction, and motion analysis.

Advanced Debate Classes are designed for competitive debaters with 2-3 year of competitive experience looking to challenge themselves. Currently only offered in Saskatoon.

  • Students will learn and practice advanced debate skills.
  • Instructors will tailor teaching to the group.
  • The first term of level 1 is led by Anywn Diakuw, a former Team Canada Member with more than 8 years of coaching experience, who judges at national competitions.
  • The first term of level 2 is led by Wendy James, a former Team Canada coach with over 20 years of coaching and national judging experience.

Dates, Times and Locations

Speech Classes - Virtual

When: Tuesday evenings from 6 – 7:30 PM
Where: online using Zoom
Fee: $200 per term

  • Fall Term: September 22 to December 1 (no class November 10)
  • Winter Term: January 12 to March 23 (no class February 16)
  • Spring Term: April 13 to June 15

French Debate Classes – Saskatoon

When: Thursday evenings from 6 – 7:30 PM,
Where: École Canadienne-Française - Pavillon Gustave-Dubois, 2320 Louise Avenue.
Fee: $200 per term

  • Fall Term: September 24 to December 3 (no class November 12)
  • Winter Term: January 14 to March 25 (no class February 18)
  • Spring Term: April 15 to June 17

Debate Classes – Saskatoon

When: Thursday evenings from 6 – 7:30 PM,
Where: École Canadienne-Française - Pavillon Gustave-Dubois, 2320 Louise Avenue.
Fee: $200 per term

  • Fall Term: September 24 to December 3 (no class November 12)
  • Winter Term: January 14 to March 25 (no class February 18)
  • Spring Term: April 15 to June 17

Debate Classes – Regina

When: Wednesday evenings from 6 – 7:30 PM,
Where: Regina Huda School, 40 Sheppard Street.
Fee: $200 per term

  • Fall Term: September 23 to December 2 (no class November 11)
  • Winter Term: January 13 to March 24 (no class February 17)
  • Spring Term: April 14 to June 16

Debate Classes – Virtual

When: Wednesday evenings from 6 – 7:30 PM,
Where: online using Zoom
Fee: $200 per term

  • Fall Term: September 23 to December 2 (no class November 11)
  • Winter Term: January 13 to March 24 (no class February 17)
  • Spring Term: April 14 to June 16

Advanced Debate Classes Level 1 - Saskatoon

Who: Students must be in grades 7 – 12 with two years of competitive debate experience.
When: Wednesday evenings from 6 – 7:30 PM,
Where: École Canadienne-Française - Pavillon Gustave-Dubois, 2320 Louise Avenue.
Fee: $250 per term

  • Fall Term: September 23 to December 2 (no class November 11)
  • Winter Term: January 13 to March 24 (no class February 17)
  • Spring Term: April 14 to June 16

Advanced Debate Classes Level 2 - Saskatoon

Participant Criteria:

  • Grades 9 to 12
  • Three years competitive debate experience
  • Instructors will accept applicants based on the student’s previous debate experience.

When: Thursday evenings from 7:30 – 9:00 PM,
Where: École Canadienne-Française - Pavillon Gustave-Dubois, 2320 Louise Avenue.
Fee: $250 per term

  • Fall Term: September 24 to December 3 (no class November 12)
  • Winter Term: TBD
  • Spring Term: TBD

 

Registration

Step 1

Students must be registered as a SEDA member for the 2026-2027 year before registering for Speech and Debate Academy.

Not a member yet? Register for SEDA membership

If your child is already a 2026-2027 member, you can skip to step 2.

Step 2

Register for Speech and Debate Academy

After you register for academy, you will receive a link to pay by credit card within 48 hours.

You can register for one term or multiple terms.