About Us

WHAT IS COGITO DEBATE?

Cogito Debate is a WASC accredited Speech and Debate School in Irvine, California. Cogito Debate offers a variety of courses tailored to elementary, middle and high students that significantly help them become independent thinkers, strong speakers, and confident leaders through instruction in public speaking, parliamentary debate, and reading and writing. Our knowledgeable staff and professional coaches make Cogito Debate a preferred, valued vendor with top charter schools and homeschool parents throughout Southern California.

Our Name Says It All – Cogito Ergo Sum. “I think, therefore I am.”
Arguably the most famous argument in philosophy, ‘the cogito,’ as it is commonly called, is a Latin philosophical proposition by René Descartes and a fundamental element of Western philosophy. Cogito ergo sum, however, isn’t the end point to thought, it’s the beginning.

WHAT SEPARATES COGITO DEBATE FROM OTHERS?

Cogito Debate elevates speech and debate by going beyond winning trophies by recognizing the importance of strengthening the communication skills of students as a means to achieve academic and career goals. You can view our students’ success over the past 2021-2022 school year here. We believe we are truly equipping the future leaders of our global world!

WHAT TYPE OF EXPERIENCES CAN COGITO PROVIDE FOR MY STUDENT?

Here at Cogito we provided students a safe environment which requires respect and support for each other, where students learn how to give constructive feedback to each other.

Students learn from coaches who are dedicated to elevating each student’s unique communication skills by creating a trustworthy relationship that inspires students to reach for and achieve a level of communication that they did not recognize was possible for them to achieve.

Students also learn the value of debate, which is to become a better critical thinker, think on their feet, and learn to agree to disagree and the importance of collaborating with their peers to creatively analyze and debate current events that impact their communities.

Students also learn the value of healthy competition by participating in tournaments hosted by Cogito Debate. For those students who are driven by a competitive spirit to compete in local, state and national tournaments, students can become a member of our debate teams who have won many impressive competitions!

COGITO NEWS

How To Win Debate Competitions?

Debate is an Interesting and dynamic activity. It will not only aid in academic development but in overall aspects. We at Cogito take pride in having helped thousands of children to excel in debate skills.   Debate is a rewarding experience for students in many...

10/26/22

What Are The Seven Essentials Of Effective Communication?

It's no secret that children are good mimics. Kids enjoy learning by observing and copying the behaviors they see around them. Hence parents and caregivers must pay attention when they communicate with kids. How we speak to children shapes their communication...

09/10/22

How To Make Children Develop Interest In Their Learnings?

Children love to do things that they like. They are curious about everything surrounding them. They pay attention only when there is something new and exciting. Academics especially get them boring. Unless taught in a way they like to learn.  This is where speech...

07/18/22

Why Enroll Your Kids In Cogito Debate?

We all want the best of everything, especially when it comes to our kids. Be it be the things we buy, their education, etc. Parents are mindful of the learning course, the institute, the coach, the reputation, etc. Enroll your kids at cogito debate learning...

06/06/22

6 Essential Tips To Help You Speak With Confidence!

Speaking is an art. The better you are at it, the better will be your prospects academically and professionally. Effective Speaking can help you achieve various milestones successfully. People pay attention only when your communication is effective enough to grab...

04/20/22

Learn the important skill of the current investigator

Younger kids are enthusiastic, energetic, and carry zeal to learn all that we teach them. Hence, providing them early exposure to real-world life is essential as it will help them become independent and learn life skills.  We as adults need to help them explore...

03/31/22

Make A Powerful Impact With Your Effective Communication

Effective communication is when the receiver can understand the message with your intent. The better we can communicate, the better our life will be. Communication plays a pivotal role. It helps us excel not only in our academics but as well help us establish a...

03/20/22

Here Is How You Can Transform Your Speaking Skills!

A speaker who you admire today was a beginner too. Nobody can start flawlessly. It is because of what they choose to do in the journey that makes them what they are today. Bear Grylls is the host of Discovery channel‘s man v/s wild’ tops the list of the world...

02/27/22

Learning Debate Skills Is Fun!! Here Is How?

All we think of Debating is it is to fight. It means an intensive discussion between opponents aiming at framing a conclusion. The conclusion is the interesting output to derive as debating skill involves two individuals or parties believing in their different...

02/10/22

Beat The Odd! Enrol Yourself To Online Debate Classes

Covid, Corona being the most widely used term in recent years, its impact on the world is equally huge. Nobody had thought something like this would happen and become a common concern worldwide. With this, everything has come to a halt. Educational and coaching...

01/27/22

How To Avoid Common Public Speaking Mistakes Like A Pro?

Public speaking is no more career-oriented activity. We all do it at some time without formally realizing it. It could be a family function, our school debate programs, and so on. No matter how many successful public speeches you may have delivered, the next one...

01/16/22

Hurdles of public speaking and how to overcome them?

Public speaking is an activity, an assignment that comes your way at some point in your life. Either at your school, work, family occasion and so on. Public speaking is not something that everybody enjoys. Some look for a chance to grab an opportunity, and some run...

12/27/21

Discover the benefits of Debate Activities

Debate activities are a different form of communication activity that assists in developing strong command over language, Improving critical and individual thinking. It is a valuable activity. Besides, academically, it also helps in other general dealings of life....

12/19/21

How do you know you are good at public speaking?

Speaking is an art. And it is acquired over a lot of practice and persistence. May it be in your school, home, debate competition, etc. Indeed, it is not what we say but how we say it. And we at cogito debate can help you master the “How” aspect with the help of...

11/29/21

What does it take to become a good public speaker?

Public Speaking is a communication activity of addressing a gathering over a topic. When addressing a crowd, you mostly have 100 % attention on you.  And that can cause a lot of stress and nervousness. Public Speaking is not as easy as it sounds. Talking and Giving...

11/20/21

Why Do People Fear Public Speaking: How Can You Overcome It?

Public speaking is a form of art that is evolving continuously. It helps educate, inspire and express your feelings as well as be persuasive. But, still, there are a lot of people who fear speaking in public. The best way to overcome the fear of the stage is to...

10/27/21

What Are The Different Types Of Public Speaking?

Public speaking or oratory speaking is when a person stands in front of an audience to give a speech. The occasion can be formal and also informal. Public speaking is difficult and can be a challenge for a lot of people. If you are keen to learn, you can enroll in...

10/15/21

Effective Tips For Virtual Presentation and Public Speaking

Face-to-face meetings and presentations are preferred by the majority of people. But due to the pandemic, the majority of meetings and presentations are now conducted virtually. Businesses have staff that works from home and connect via Skype, Meet, or Zoom.  It...

09/25/21

Great Ways To Make Use Of Notecards For Your Speech

While giving a speech, a number of people make notes to help them remember the points. But, reliance on notes affects how the presentation or speech is presented. The authenticity of the speech is affected, as you start reading your notes instead of speaking to...

09/15/21

4 Ways Public Speaking Helps You In Your Career

4 Ways Public Speaking Helps You In Your Career   Public speaking is considered the most valuable skill a person should possess to reach new heights in their career. Warren Buffet, the billionaire investor, who is known for his major business success stories,...

08/30/21

How to use Pause As An effective Tool In Public Speaking

The use of pause and silence is very effective in creating an interest in what you are talking about. It can be very effective when you want to emphasize a particular point in your presentation. Small pauses can give the audience some time to fully understand the...

08/15/21

The End Of Summer And Into Fall

It's the end of summer debate classes. It's been a good summer with a good amount of students attending our virtual summer debate programs. Don't worry, our summer debate classes will be back next year in person! Our students and parents have enjoyed this year's...

07/28/21

How to Memorize Your Speech Easily?

Public speaking has become an important component of your professional and personal development. Speaking in front of a group has grown rather frequently in recent years. Making a presentation to potential employers is also becoming more frequent. You may be giving...

07/27/21

Are Statistics Important in a Speech?

Using numbers or statistics in a speech gives the message that you are conveying a persuasive element. The data that you provide makes the message quantifiable. The numbers can be used as a part of your argument or used to help support it. The most important thing...

07/15/21

Qualities of Powerful Public Speakers

Most of us are afraid of speaking in public forums. However, if you want to advance in your career, you need to up your game as a competent public speaker. Public speaking allows us to communicate our thoughts and ideas to others in a clear and concise manner. It...

06/15/21

Practice For An Error-Free Public Speech

Practicing is crucial before giving a online debate classes so that you are completely prepared and do not make any mistakes. You must take notes and scribble down additional signals regarding the flow of speech. There are two methods for preparing for a speech:...

05/30/21

Speech and Debate – Learn Skills to Achieve Competitive Success

Young adults are pressured to participate in a number of activities to grow and stay competitive in today's fast-changing world. To that effect, communication is the key that can give them the most confidence. Speech and debate classes help them stand out and...

05/15/21

Benefits of Online Debate and Speech Classes

The pandemic has forced schools and colleges across the globe to shut their doors and go virtual. All classes, exams are being conducted on either Zoom or Google Meet. The summer break is fast approaching and parents are wondering how to keep the children occupied...

05/02/21

How to Improve Communication Skills for Students

Effective communication is a crucial skill for every student to master. The ever-changing career landscapes and increased competition for college places and work opportunities make it even more important to equip students with effective communication skills....

03/08/21

New Class Locations: Riverside – San Diego – Long Beach

Cogito Debate answered the call of so many parents to bring our program to Riverside and San Diego. Our Riverside classed are offered at the Arlington Library on Tuesdays, 4:30-6:00. In San Diego we are teaching speech and debate at Miramar College on Sundays for a...

03/19/20

After School Programs

Cogito Debate is passionate about teaching students good speaking skills! We have been offering quality, academic after school classes and tournaments in the Tustin School District at Myford, Ladera, Tustin Memorial Academy and Peters Canyon elementary schools for...

03/19/20

Delivery Skills Classes

Delivery Skills classes are short term, 6 Weeks, and are designed to introduce students to verbal and non-verbal communication skills. Students will learn about these delivery skills and have the opportunity to practice them in class and at home. Delivery Skills...

03/19/20

Online Lincoln-Douglas Debate Courses

Cogito Debate launched its Online Lincoln-Douglas Debate class on January 21, 2020! Students meet once a week for 10 weeks for 1.5 hours. Forrest Fulgenzi will be coaching the class. He is a very passionate coach who has extensive experience in speech and debate....

03/19/20

High School Debate Club

Cogito High School Debate Club is a program for students who are seeking to become part of our winning Debate Team that is dedicated to collaborating together in preparation for competitive debates. Students will sharpen their skills in a competitive environment...

03/19/20

Cogito Debate WASC Accreditation

Our entire team at Cogito Debate is proud to announce that we have successfully achieved full accreditation as a Supplementary Education Program by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). The accreditation team reviewed the vision, mission, learning...

03/14/19

Cal Lutheran Invitational Speech and Debate Tournament

Cogito Debate Club members will hit the road again to participate in the Cal Lutheran Invitational Speech and Debate Tournament in Thousand Oaks. Last year the team made us so proud at the Cal Lutheran! Sam and Fiona, 7th graders, made it to the semi-final round in...

03/14/19
CLASS IN ACTION

BUILDING CONFIDENCE THROUGH SPEECH AND DEBATE

Self-confidence can be taught! At Cogito Debate we believe that by practicing the skills of speech and Debate students become more proficient which leads to self-confidence.

BE PART OF THE FAMILY

BECOME A COACH

Cogito Debate is hiring debate coaches throughout California to join our professional coaching team! This is an excellent opportunity for individuals with relevant experience and a passion to set students on the path to becoming meaningful contributors to their communities through speech and debate.

Join Our Team