Overview
Here's what makes FDT Debate Academy stand out
Established in 2016, Fostering Debate Talent (FDT) Academy is Canada’s leading provider of Debate and Public Speaking education. Our world-renowned instructors help over 450 students per year to strengthen their confidence and public speaking skills. FDT's group and private lessons are offered to students in grades 2-12, and take place at our Vancouver-based academy or virtually via Zoom. Our Winter and Spring Camps are 5 to 7 days long, while our Summer Camp is 8 weeks long. Our main programs are offered throughout the academic year (September to June).

Special needs: Not available

LGBTQ+ friendly community
Visit the FDT Debate Academy website

Programs, Rates & Dates

Programs and Sessions Calendar

FDT is one of the world’s most well-established debate academies, with a global community of over 450 active students and 3000 alumni. Success is what sets us apart, with our programs producing over 45 students who have been selected to join the Canadian National Debate and Speech teams, as well as countless others who have been accepted into Ivy League institutions. We boast a team of over 20 instructors, guided by a well-developed curriculum that is proven to help students hone their skills, and offer a superior group class ratio of 3-to-6 students and 1 instructor.

Choose the right programs and sessions for your child; FDT Debate Academy currently has 4 programs available; 5 TBD.

Filter activities :

Choose location:

Name

Type/Gender

Specialty

Location

Date

Bus

Cost

Debate Program

view details

Class/league/program
Coed
Ages: 5 - 18

Debate, Public Speaking

$100 to $8,000

Vancouver, BC
1916 West Broadway

Sep 03, 2024-May 25, 2025

$100 - $8,000

Public Speaking

view details

Class/league/program
Coed
Ages: 5 - 18

Public Speaking, Leadership (multi)

$100 to $8,000

Vancouver, BC
1916 West Broadway

Sep 03, 2024-May 25, 2025

$100 - $8,000

Virtual Debate Program

view details

Virtual Program
Coed
Ages: 5 - 18

Debate, Public Speaking

$100 to $8,000

Virtual Program,
Online

Sep 03, 2024-May 25, 2025

$100 - $8,000

Virtual Public Speaking Program

view details

Virtual Program
Coed
Ages: 5 - 18

Public Speaking, Leadership (multi)

$100 to $8,000

Virtual Program,
Online

Sep 03, 2024-May 25, 2025

$100 - $8,000

Winter Debate Camp 2023

view details

Virtual Program
Coed
Ages: 5 - 17

Debate

$150 to $600

Virtual Program,
Online

Date TBD

Cost TBD

Spring Debate Camp 2024

view details

Day Camp
Coed
Ages: 5 - 18

Debate

$150 to $1,000

Vancouver, BC
1916 W Broadway #200

Date TBD

Cost TBD

8-Week Summer Debate Program

view details

Day Camp
Coed
Ages: 5 - 17

Debate

$800 to $4,000

Vancouver, BC
1916 West Broadway

Date TBD

Cost TBD

8-Week Virtual Summer Debate Program

view details

Virtual Program
Coed
Ages: 5 - 17

Debate

$800 to $4,000

Virtual Program,
Online

Date TBD

Cost TBD

Summer Debate Camp 2024

view details

Day Camp
Coed
Ages: 5 - 18

Debate

$100 to $1,000

Vancouver, BC
1916 W Broadway #200

Date TBD

Cost TBD

Registration Details

Step One Complete the registration form linked below. Step Two Hear from our Admissions Team who will discuss the most suitable program for you. Step Three Determine your preferred class date and time, and complete your tuition payment. Step Four Look through our welcome package which contains various resources, and prepare for your first day of class!

Reviews & Insider Perspectives
The Our Kids review of FDT Debate Academy

Kids do love to debate, but for a kid who wants to make a hobby or career out of it, FDT Academy is the perfect solution. They have many different courses to help kids learn to public speak or debate, along with other related skills. Their motto is “Find your voice: it matters”, and this shows debating isn’t just about arguing a point—it’s about speaking your own personal truth. Kids who are outspoken or are very shy can benefit from the courses here. The quality of instruction at FDT is top-notch, with passionate instructors who care about what the kids have to say. The goal is for kids to come out as effective communicators, which is a skill everyone needs in their personal lives, careers, and just in general. Many kids find success after this course, as champion debaters, during job interviews, and in their relationships. Debating isn’t just about speaking either, it is about listening, and what kid couldn’t use some lessons on this?

Visit the FDT Debate Academy website

Three Things: FDT Debate Academy
Hear the three things that Our Kids’ editors see when they look at FDT Debate Academy

Video interviews with parents, campers, and alum
Neel, Parent

00:37 - What's unique about the program at FDT Academy that made you want to enroll your child there?
01:55 - How was your child's experience with the program?
03:00 - Was there any changes or noticeable personal growth you saw in your child after their time at the program?
05:05 - If you hadn't sent your child to this camp, what's the most important personal growth that they would've missed out on?
06:25 - How can a parent support their child to get the most out of this program?
07:46 - What does your child say about the camp, either to you, or that you may have heard them say to friends or others?
09:02 - Final thoughts?
More reviews of FDT Debate Academy

Show all 5 reviews

Andrew Yun, Alum

Former FDT Student, Current Harvard Student!
Read review

Grace Hua, University of Pennsylvania, Alum

Infinitely thankful to have the skill of Debate.
Read review

Amolak Singh Dhillon, Alum

Champion Debater!
Read review

Alice Xu, Columbia University, Alum

Student Turns Instructor
Read review

Maggie Y., Parent

Mother of Collingwood School student raves about FDT.
Read review

More reviews of FDT Debate Academy

Andrew Yun, Alum

Former FDT Student, Current Harvard Student!

The great thing about FDT coaching is that it can help you succeed no matter what level you are at in terms of debating. Every aspect of my debating, including listening, argument construction, refutation, and rhetoric hav... Show More

Grace Hua, University of Pennsylvania, Alum

Infinitely thankful to have the skill of Debate.

From class presentations, to club applications, to job interviews, debate is the one skill I am infinitely thankful to have. Had it not been for my FDT instructors' encouragement, I would not be the eloquent, well-spoken person I am today. ... Show More

Amolak Singh Dhillon, Alum

Champion Debater!

FDT Academy transformed me from a public school student with no debate experience to a champion debater. Regardless of whether I am delivering a research presentation to hundreds of people or interviewing for a spot at med... Show More

Alice Xu, Columbia University, Alum

Student Turns Instructor

Looking back on my time at FDT, I can recognize a substantial shift in my ability to communicate effectively and persuasively on all matters of subjects. From the moment I joined the academy, I felt a genuine sense of care... Show More

Maggie Y., Parent

Mother of Collingwood School student raves about FDT.

There is nothing that compares to the quality and instruction that is offered at FDT. I feel very lucky that I was able to find FDT as a place to enhance my daughter’s debate and speech skills. Before my daughter started... Show More

Close window
Gallery
Photo Gallery
Video Gallery
Meet the Staff

Director's Message

To the newest potential members of the FDT family, hello!

Debate has been my greatest passion from the moment I competed in my first debate tournament as a grade 8 student, and it has been a passion that has grown ever since. In grade 12, I began volunteering as a debate coach at my high school for five years. In that time, the school became known as a massive player in the debate world, and I was able to see the lives of so many young people change for the better. This is because debate allows students to become confident and well-informed critical thinkers. Debate changes lives. After volunteering as a debate coach, I obtained my first paid coaching job and realized that debate needed to be spread to the masses, eventually resulting in something that I never could have imagined – the founding of FDT Academy.

Since we opened our doors in 2016, I’ve made it my priority to ensure that all students who enter FDT experience the same benefits that my first students experienced: having fun, learning necessary life skills, traveling the world, becoming champions and so much more! At FDT, our goal is to help young people argue effectively for their beliefs and discover their passion for debate and public speaking. Our dynamic team of instructors, many of whom are my former students, are led under my guidance and will go the extra mile to ensure that you achieve the highest levels of success.

Thank you so much for considering FDT. If you do join us, I hope that you'll enjoy your experience with us to the fullest, and that you leave the academy a better, more articulate and well-rounded individual.

- Frankie Cena, Founding Director

Staff and Counsellors

As Canada’s oldest and most established Debate academy, FDT has the institutional knowledge necessary to succeed in the Debate and Speech world. We know the tournaments, the structure, the organizations, the judging process. We know how to win. This would not be possible without the immense skill, knowledge and talent of our instructors, who are the heart of FDT. Each instructor has seen an abundance of success as debaters, public speakers and instructors. They go the extra mile to ensure that students receive the highest level of coaching, and the results speak for themselves. FDT’s administrative team is made up of five individuals who are truly passionate about ensuring that families are consistently supported, from the moment they j

Ask a question
Location & Operations

Address

Vancouver, BC
1916 W Broadway #200, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6J 1Z2
Vancouver, BC
1916 West Broadway, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6J 1Z2
Online
Virtual Program

Accommodations

Is FDT Debate Academy technology free? Our virtual lessons and camps require a computer or tablet, as they take place via Zoom.
What's New

In the News

October 9, 2023
Several More FDT Students Make it onto Team Canada 2023/2024
FDT is extremely proud to announce that our following students have been selected to join the 2023/2024 Canadian National Debate Team!... Read More

Social Feeds

Easily find camps, programs and available sessions

FDT Debate Academy

FDT Debate Academy

Overview

Here's what makes FDT Debate Academy stand out

Programs, Rates & Dates

Programs and Sessions Calendar

Registration Details

Reviews & Insider Perspectives

The Our Kids review of FDT Debate Academy

Video interviews with parents, campers, and alum

Neel, Parent

More reviews of FDT Debate Academy

More reviews of FDT Debate Academy

Andrew Yun, Alum

Grace Hua, University of Pennsylvania, Alum

Amolak Singh Dhillon, Alum

Alice Xu, Columbia University, Alum

Maggie Y., Parent

Gallery

Photo Gallery

Video Gallery

Meet the Staff

Director's Message

Staff and Counsellors

Location & Operations

Address

Accommodations

What's New

In the News

Social Feeds

Sign up to receive our exclusive eNews twice a month.