"A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver."( Proverbs 25:11 NKJV).

The right word at the right time is like a gift! The ability to communicate clearly and speak appropriately is one of the marks of an excellent education.  Competitive Speech is one way that we, as educators, can sharpen this skill in our students. 

For the past few years, our family has been members (with our homeschool cooperative) of the National Christian Forensics and Communications Association (NCFCA) and the American Association of Christian Schools (AACS). These two organizations, along with the Teen’s and Children’s Talent Programs in the Church of the Nazarene, have provided my children with tons of opportunities to compete in the areas of speech and debate. 

There is so much that we have learned! We have totally immersed ourselves in current events, literature, theology, and the Bible. We have researched, documented evidence, and argued. When we go to the tournaments, we experience the fruit of the labors of other students in the same pursuits. We laugh, we learn, and we make friends!

The NCFCA “believes that formal speech and debate can provide a means for home schooled students to learn and exercise analytical and oratorical skills and address life issues from a biblical world view in a manner that glorifies God.” (www.ncfca.org)   The work of research, studying, and memorizing is done at home or during class (at a co-op, club, or school classroom). The student (and family) can go to as many tournaments as they wish (or can afford).  The AACS and the ACSI (Association of Christian Schools International) have one tournament each year, followed by the Nationals. 

The addition of speech and debate to a homeschool or Christian School curriculum is sure to be successful, even if the kids do not win a medal. For a long time, public schools have recognized the prestige that comes from a vigorous speech program. You can start by finding a tournament in your region at the NCFCA, AACS, or ASCI websites. There are other leagues as well, such as the National Forensics League and Students Growing Through Speech and Debate (STOA).

When students choose a Platform Speech, they become specialists in that topic: Persuasive, Original Oratory, Expository, or Illustrated Oratory. In the Interpretive Events, they become the star of their own performance: Dramatic Interpretation, Duo, Thematic, Open Interpretation, Humorous, Oral Interpretation of Scripture, or Oral Interpretation of Poetry. With debate, students really give their reasoning skills a workout as well as practicing the skill of “thinking on your feet!”

The Limited Prep events are for the fearless kids. They choose a topic and have a few minutes to prepare their speech: Impromptu, Extemporaneous, and Apologetics. Each organization has its own rules and events. It is of the utmost importance to learn the rules early.

The debate topic is announced in the summer or very early in the school year. If the students choose their pieces early, the preparation can be spread out over the weeks. My third grader was able to memorize 30 minutes of speeches by choosing in September and reviewing the speeches almost every day. He chose the story of Gideon with 30 verses from Judges for his Dramatic Interpretation. He also used this same passage for Bible Memory at the Children’s Talent on the Missouri District.

It is amazing how the Lord used these verses to bless us as we worked on them. Committing a passage like this to memory is truly meditating on the Word. I have enjoyed so much doing this with my son.  In everyday situations, we find ourselves talking about Gideon! Last year it was Elijah, and the year before it was Cain and Abel, and the same, amazing discussions happened!

My girls have discovered a love for the writings of C.S. Lewis. We spend lots of time analyzing Lewis’ thoughts, as well as other pieces they have chosen.  In order to excel in the art of interpretation, you must figure out the author’s intent and understand what he was trying to say. This literally brings the study of literature to life.

Between my two high school daughters, they have 14 speeches ready to share. They have used the speeches as devotionals at our co-op and at youth group, church, and Upward Basketball. They use material from the speeches to carry on fascinating conversations!

In the 17 years that we have been homeschooling, competitive speech has been one of the most profitable and rewarding things we have experienced. It has been a gift, even better than golden apples!

Contributed by Janine Watkins, Homeschool Representative for Nazarene Educators Worldwide. Janine lives in Ferguson, Missouri