Primeos Del Torneo: Debate En Espanol Ligas Del Este 2024
Our mission at the Washington Urban Debate League is to evangelize for the expansion of debate programs to all students, especially those that traditionally haven’t had access to this transformational activity.
One of those communities that often gets overlooked are folks for who English is a second language (or a third). Most programs don’t offer bilingual opportunities, and many that do are expensive and inaccessible for many. I can’t tell you how many interest meetings I’ve been to at schools with significant Hispanic student populations where a bunch of eager young people come to the interest meeting, but don’t come back due to a lack of confidence in their written and / or spoken English skills.
We’ve got more peer-reviewed research about the academic, social-emotional, and civic benefits of debate than you can shake a stick at, but tearing down barriers to participation is the hard part. Offering bilingual debate opens a new door so students can debate in their native language and build community with other Spanish speakers, all the while developing their academic, social-emotional, and civic skills.
This week, we’re proud to say we’ve pulled those barriers a little lower.
WUDL students participated in the 1st Eastern League Debate En Espanol Scrimmage yesterday, joining students from Boston, Chicago, Miami, and Minnesota for a day of learning, community, and sharp exchange on the subject of US sanctions on Cuba.
We’d like to congratulate the following WUDL students who were recognized for their success at the event:
In the Beginner Division:
- 7th Speaker: Addie, DC International
- 3rd Speaker: Claudia, DC International
- 2nd Speaker: Andres, Oyster Adams Bilingual School
- 3rd Place Team: Andres and Andrew (Oyster Adams / Charles Flowers Hybrid Team)
In the Advanced Division:
- 8th Speaker: Aaron, Charles Flowers
- 5th Place Team: Aaron / Keily, Charles Flowers
Stay tuned as we build up to the National Debate En Español Finals on May 4th, 2024. 8 WUDL Schools are scheduled to participate!
Big shout out to Coach Dennis Martinez for his leadership of this program. Dennis, WUDL’s Volunteer of the Year, participated (along with partner Alexa) in our first Debate En Español pilot program, winning the Harvard University Debate En Español tournament during the pandemic. You can read about his experience in these news articles about that event.