English Debate Club will start its mission in the new academic year 2003/2004 as a new sub-club under University of Macau Student Union (UMSU).

“We welcome students from all facilities who want to improve their English language skills, learn how to organise, present ideas and be an effective or efficient critical thinker. Also, last but not least it is essential to learn how to build confidence speaking publicly,” said Prof. Thomas Ned Rendall of Department of English, an organizer of the English Debate Club.

Angela Ng, a senior of the Faculty of Education (FED), said joining the English Debate Club could improve language skills, build self-confidence, embody team spirit and become an eloquent speaker. “It is also a good chance to overcome stage fright,” she commented.

“I think that is a tremendous good idea,” said Manuel Noronha, a language instructor of Department of English. As Mr. Noronha said English was a second or even third language for some students. They were hardly to communicate in English. Though most of the local students had been learning English for more than 10 years, he found students language skills remained the age of 13 compared to other places. “They are weak because of shyness, afraid to make mistakes,” he said. Mr. Noronha suggested that the more the students practised in English, the more fluently they spoke in English. He added in the end that debates did not only work to meet academic purposes but also allowed students to learn co-operation in group presentation and planning part.

According to Prof. Rendall, the debate team would be under the guidance of experienced counsellor, who was once a debater in Oxford. The training would be mainly teaching the recruited debaters how to organise, operate and perform in a debate. Friendly debates would be organised on a regular basis with nearby universities like the University of Hong Kong, the Chinese University of Hong Kong and the Baptist University of Hong Kong. Therefore, UM students could have a chance to learn from others and participate in social occasions.

As Prof. Rendall added, “Most programmes are mainly taught in English, which is an efficient language in Macao. Besides, the English Debate Club will be another choice out of other extracurricular activities.”