![]() This marks my 4th/5th year judging for this tournament. Each year, new and old debaters show up to challenge themselves. Some do it because they want something to use as part of the college application process. Many do it to showcase their language mastery. And then there is a small batch who do it because debate is truly fun for them. This was my first time being completely free from coaching duties and I assumed it was going to be more of a cakewalk. I was completely wrong. This marks the second year the tournament was held online and because of the abrupt change in venue, the tournament organizing team scrambled to put all checks and things in place. I want to first give a super big thumbs-up for that amazing and seemingly impossible feat. They may not be the team that steers us clear of the COVID-19 impact on healthcare, but they certainly play an important role in continuing education goals for Taiwan. As head judge, moderator, and time keeper for all three regionals (Northern, Central, and Southern), never have I ever felt the burden of ensuring the flow and smoothness of tournament lie so heavily on my shoulders. I guess that is a part of growing up as an adult. It is a signal of deeper trust from organizing head professor Charlotte Chang and a stronger commitment asked of me in terms of how Taiwan's education evolves. I am extremely grateful for that, considering that I was never a full-time teacher in public or private school. Oddballs like me tend to NOT have the opportunity to showcase our talents to help further society unless a few the "normal" elite adults see our worth and bring us to light. Most are just obsidian rocks sitting abandoned at some random corner. I learned a lot as an educator this school year and intend to bring them into what Education Legion intends to do in the long run. Hopefully during Nationals, we will be back to face-to-face tournament and clash like we used to. 2018-2019 was the last school year a face-to-face tournament was held. COVID-19 is truly a menace. I pray that our nation will survive and bounce back from the negative effects of this pandemic. During the third and final Regionals (Central), I was given the digital podium to give remarks on public forum track. I was and still am, very honored to give some tips to students on the essence of debate, the foundations of critical thinking and language, and the meaning of such activities for Taiwan's society. Truly, a very gruesome but fruitful series of Regionals! Policy and public forum are equally fun. I look forward to judging and mentoring more in the future!
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AuthorDoctor, journalist, English instructor, and social reformer Archives
May 2022
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