Questions parents ask

Students aged 10–16 who want to speak English with confidence, especially those preparing for admission interviews at international, boarding or selective schools. Students need at least an A2 level of English: enough to hold a simple conversation.

Most English lessons teach grammar and vocabulary and hope confidence follows. Here, students learn to think in English: they build arguments, defend them and answer challenges in real time. Their grammar and vocabulary improve along the way, because they need them to say what they mean.

Interviewers ask follow-up questions to see how a child thinks, and memorised answers fall apart at the first one. In debate, every argument gets challenged, so students learn to stay calm, think on their feet and explain their reasoning clearly. That’s exactly what an interview tests.

Each booklet runs over two classes. In the first, students learn the topic and one skill or logical fallacy. In the second, they debate the topic and argue both sides. Classes are 50 minutes, live on ClassIn.

Topics are chosen for the students’ age, such as fame or studying abroad. Students debate ideas, not personal beliefs, and often argue the side they disagree with. That’s how they learn to understand other people’s views.

I do. Every class is taught by me personally.

One-on-one suits focused interview preparation, or a student who needs to build confidence first. Small groups are best for debate itself, because students face different opponents and learn from each other. After the free class, I’ll recommend what suits your child.

Groups have 2–4 students, matched by age, English level and time zone.

I’ve taught more than 200 students from six countries, and most of my current students are in China. International students join existing groups, so your child debates peers from another culture.

Groups meet at set times, which you can see in your own time zone on the Programmes page. 1-on-1 classes can be any time between 06:00 and 17:00 UK time. Times are always confirmed in your own time zone.

See the group times

Classes are on ClassIn. Your child needs a computer or tablet, a stable internet connection, and headphones with a microphone.

Fill in the trial form and I’ll reply within 24 hours with a group and a time that fit. Your child joins one class as a guest debater. Afterwards, I’ll tell you honestly which format suits them, or whether this isn’t the right fit.

Book a free trial class

Yes. Choose a group time, or tell me the days and times that suit you for 1-on-1, and I’ll reply within 24 hours. Either way, your child’s first class is free (one free class per child).

Start straight away

1-on-1 families get a short report every week; group families get a short written update every four classes. Each term ends with a grand debate where students compete and a winner is declared, and you get a video showing your child’s progress and best moments.

Yes. Parents are welcome to sit in on any class.

1-on-1 is $120 per class, and small groups are $50 per student per class. Classes are paid by the term (10 classes), in advance: by PayPal, in US dollars, for international families, and by WeChat Pay for families in China. After the free class, I send you a payment link for the term.

See all prices

1-on-1 classes can be rescheduled with at least 24 hours’ notice. Group classes go ahead as scheduled, so a missed group class isn’t made up individually, but every class is recorded and your child can watch it.

Yes, in full, if you cancel before the term starts. After the first class, unused classes are refunded, minus PayPal’s fee if you paid by PayPal (nothing is deducted for WeChat Pay).

Read the terms

Yes. Every class is recorded on ClassIn, and the students in that class can watch the recording for three months. There’s no download or share button, so recordings stay in the class. I never use a student’s face or voice publicly without written permission from a parent.

Safeguarding and recording