By: Matteo Minkov
Moderating the English debate for the preparatory grades (2do semestre to 6to semestre) was honestly one of the most eye-opening experiences I’ve had at school. The topics: immigration, mental health days off for students, and whether it’s ever okay to break a law to do the right thing, were deep and sometimes even emotional. As the moderator, I had to stay neutral, keep the debate flowing, manage time, and make sure everyone had their moment to speak. It felt like a big responsibility, but it also pushed me out of my comfort zone in the best way.
Speaking in front of a crowd has never been easy for me, but this experience really helped me grow. I learned how to stay calm while talking to a room full of people, how to explain things clearly, and how to quickly react when something unexpected came up: like when someone went over time or forgot their points. It gave me more confidence and made me realize I’m more capable than I thought when it comes to public speaking and leading a group.
At the same time, I learned a lot from the debaters themselves. It was inspiring to see how passionate and informed my classmates were. Some shared personal stories, others brought strong facts and logic, and all of them gave me new ways to think about the topics. Even though I was just moderating, I felt like I was learning just as much as the people debating. This experience didn’t just make me a better speaker, it made me a better listener too.
