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Who We Are

We connect, support, and inspire a diverse community committed to empowering students through competitive speech and debate.

Group of students on stage competing at Natioanls
Coach helping students at a tournament
Coach helping students at a tournament

What We Do

As the national authority on public speaking and debate, the National Speech & Debate Association provides the infrastructure for speech and debate competitions around the world. We create a platform for youth voices to be heard and celebrated, which culminates with an annual National Tournament, the pinnacle of public speaking.

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Our Impact

Speech and debate changes lives. NSDA membership builds confidence, boosts classroom performance, improves communication, and increases critical thinking skills to prepare students for college. Our activity provides life skills vital to a young person’s success in the future.

Group of students together at a tournament posing
Student enrollment at top schools - 1% national enrollment 7% NSDA enrollment for top 10 college, 2% national enrollment - 15% NSDA enrollment for top 25 college, 6% national enrollment - 23% NSDA enrollment in top 50 college.

36%

INCREASE IN READING TEST SCORES

87%

INCREASE IN ANALYTICAL SKILLS

15%

HIGHER SELF-ESTEEM

See what speech and debate can do for you

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Join today and purchase your memberships

I want to find a program near me

Connect with schools in your area

I want to explore NSDA coach benefits

Find tools to teach or coach

I need to persuade a decision-maker

Use our kit to pitch a program

In a society that constantly tells us who to be, speech and debate provides the strength to authentically and unapologetically embrace who I am and what I live for. Using the power of words and ideas allows us to cultivate the mending of cracks within our communities, helping others embrace themselves.

Beneyam Hassen

2024 NSDA Student of the Year, Sioux Falls Jefferson High School, South Dakota

My Account

Members, log in with the link in the upper right to access more resourcesenter points, and manage your account!

Events & Current Topics

Interested in what our students are currently talking and debating about? See our list of current topics or learn more about competitive events.

Resources

Browse and search our extensive list of speech and debate resources. Upgrade to the Resource Package for access to even more!

Coaches Guide

Find all the guides and resources you need to learn about competitive speech and debate, team management, and all you can do with a membership.

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