Today, 30th May, seven members of the Marienberg Debating Team participated in the Heats of the annual debating competition organized by the International English Library Duesseldorf. They went up against schools such as Görres Gymnasium Düsseldorf, ISD, Bettina-von-Arnim Gymnasium Dormagen etc.

They didn’t reach the final round, but their performance in the debating competition was defined by steady effort and clear improvement rather than dramatic gestures.

Many of the participants took measured risks — trying new argument structures or adjusting speaking roles mid-tournament. Those choices sometimes cost points, but they also produced sharper reasoning and better coordination. Judges noted composure under pressure: students recovered from setbacks, stayed focused during rebuttals, and responded to POIS with clearer evidence.

After elimination, our teams treated judge feedback as a practical roadmap for future effort.

The result was not a trophy, but tangible development. Overall our two teams left the debating workshops, mentor meetings and fortnightly BBB sessions with improved skills, stronger team dynamics, and a clearer sense of what to change next. Their experience shows that progress in debating often comes from steady adjustments and practical learning, not only from reaching the finale.

Katrin Ortmayr