As the student community forum for those who have concerns about foreign languages, the Student Activity Forum of Foreign Languages, also known as SAFEL UNY, provides a lot of language skill improvement activities for UNY students and also the public. In early October 2023, the Department of Public Speaking, SAFEL UNY, collaboratively with EDS UNY, held a debating workshop titled Workshop on Debating (WOD) with the theme “Critically Thinking, Effectively Speaking, and Be the Agent of Change.” The Workshop on Debating 2023 was held offline on October 1st, 2023, at the Student and Multicultural Center, Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta.
The Workshop on Debating aims to provide an opportunity for participants, especially beginner debaters, to learn more about English debate (specifically British Parliamentary style). The workshop session was provided by Ms. Citra Dewi Harmia, S.P.D., as the debate expert from EDS UNY. This activity consists of specific explanations about English debate and British Parliament style that are generally used in university debate, as well as question and answer (Q&A) sessions between the speaker and participants. After the workshop session, there was a debate exhibition provided by EDS UNY. In this session, the participants have the opportunity to watch a live debate performance from the experienced debaters.
Not only learn from the experts and watch the debate exhibition, but the participants also have a chance to practice debating during the event with guidance from EDS UNY’s debaters. Participants would be divided into 4 groups that consist of Opening Government (OG), Opening Opposition (OO), Closing Government (CG), and Closing Opposition (CO). Each group was facilitated by a liaison officer (LO) and expert debaters during the brainstorming session. For the final session, the participants were expected to practice debate and receive feedback from judges. Debate Exhibition from EDS UNY.
Finally, the Workshop on Debating 2023 was held successfully. Big thanks to SAFEL UNY, our expert speaker, participants, and committee members who participated actively in this event. Hopefully, WOD 2023 will have a beneficial impact and be able to create an agent of change!
-Nurwahyudi dan Reatu Pramuda Wardani
