After serving in certain places for far too long, something different always helps refresh the scenery a bit. To bring up some fight in the slightly seasoned coaches like me. Agreeing to work with Wuling Senior High was indeed a decision that I took without hesitation. After working for nearly 3 school years with HSNU and 1 year with CKHS, it was good time to start over on a new page. English debate coaches like me, usually don't have a "home". Some people might say that makes us mercenaries. I'd like to think I am working with clients (aka schools) who are in need of a "push" for their student body so that they can elevate their game to the next level. Once the client believes their purpose has been achieved, it is up to them to assess how far they want my influence to impact their education system. Project-based work is what I do and while it is hard to say goodbye to some students and teachers, I am much less saddened to part ways with people or students who showed entitlement or perceived my style of coaching in a less accurate angle. At 8:30 AM, I waited at the doorsteps of an Wuling building to make sure I was at the right location. It seemed quite familiar. The strong October breeze and fleeting sun were so Taoyuan. As a Taoyuan native for most of my childhood, this was home. As I walked into the classroom, there weren't as many people as projected, but it wasn't uncommon for me to handle. As founder of a future non-profit news team, I am no stranger to humble beginnings. Everything starts somewhere. Handling big and small crowds required different methods and approaches to student response. I began the presentation by making them relate their city with something the symbolizes power and fighting juice. Only when you feel you represent, do you feel the need or desire, to fight FOR the home you come from. We then went through some debate motions, asked for opinions, and set up a 1 v 5 cross-examination session. It is always fun to see newbies touch this firsthand. Afterwards I took them on a mini-tour of the words "imply" and "infer". They had a great time clarifying what each really meant. In a Taiwanese society where English debate is usually mastered by the more English-proficient students, it is still important for those who have debate potential but aren't as language-proficient to know that the English is just a tool to reach their optimal performance. I also showed them a copy of the Financial Secrecy Index 2018 report on Taiwan. I made them assess the information and promptly showed them a Facebook post screenshot of a legislator, who is well known as the beacon of hope or 戰神, as they like to call him. No one is flawless or pure in motives, but as educated voters and citizens, it is our duty to see through the schemes and ploys, as evaluate whether we will play along or call out the bluff. Debate is not only about policy-making, but understanding what a representative democracy truly means. A brief introduction of the Taiwan Nationals English Debate format was then given, with the position and role of each speaker clarified. I know that it wasn't the most detailed explanation but I have to be careful as well. I am there to FACILITATE, not to DOMINATE. I respect the English teaching staff of Wuling Senior High and expect them to do their part so that students will be on par with bare essentials on the art of debate. After going through what each speaker had to do, we did some really fun impromptu drills where students practice word association, speech formation, and eventually doing a more complex variation of impromptu, a deviation from the norm that I used to do for students back in HSNU and CKHS. Being a coach means constantly upgrading my game. I am always ready to absorb new ideas and experiment with new drills. More importantly, I explained my role as coach and how the value of mutual trust will pay in the long run. No one should feel they can't communicate or voice out their thoughts. And if they feel that way they should tell the teaching staff for better bilateral communications with me. After all, I am here because I believe English Debate can make a difference for Taiwan in the long run, not to expand my social life or execute some ulterior motive. The last thing we need is a breach of trust. I ended the presentation with a self-exploration and self-identifying drill to make students talk about themselves. To know who they are. To challenge them if they want to trust themselves. But again, this is something quite abstract in nature. If you want to know you might have to come to one of my talks. Students mostly responds positively and seemed poised to become future debaters. The rest of the work is up to the teachers to handle so that there would be a sufficient number of debaters next semester for nationals. Let's go make Axes!!!!
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