Speech and Debate coach

Are you passionate about shaping confident, articulate, and critical thinkers? Do you thrive on mentoring students to excel in public speaking and competitive debate? Are you excited to build and lead a dynamic program that empowers students to find their voice and make an impact?

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Speech and Debate Coach to lead and develop our speech and debate program in Kunshan. You will be responsible for training students in the art of public speaking, argumentation, and debate. This position will provide mentorship, oversee student participation in various local, national, and international competitions, and work with other staff to create a robust and impactful program. You should be an innovative leader with strong communication skills, a deep understanding of debate formats, and the ability to inspire students.

Key Responsibilities

• Program Leadership: Develop, implement, and oversee all aspects of the speech and debate program, including curriculum design, training schedules, and competition preparation.

• Student Development: Work closely with students to enhance their skills in public speaking, argumentation, critical thinking, and debate strategy.

• Competition Preparation: Prepare students for local, regional, and national competitions. Provide guidance during practice sessions, research, case writing, and speech delivery.

• Coaching and Mentoring: Provide individualized feedback to students, promoting their growth in both performance and skills.

• Team Management: Manage a team of assistant coaches and volunteers, ensuring they are equipped to support the students effectively.

• Communication: Communicate regularly with students, parents, and school administration about program activities, competition results, and student progress.

• Event Coordination: Organize and facilitate speech and debate events, including tournaments, mock debates, and showcases.

• Curriculum Design: Develop instructional materials and training plans tailored to student needs, covering topics such as argument structure, evidence analysis, and delivery techniques.

Your Typical Schedule

This full-time role involves a five-day workweek, which may include Saturdays and/or Sundays, with two days off scheduled throughout the week. You'll balance classroom instruction with dedicated time for lesson planning and student support.

Instructors teach all levels, including primary school, middle school and high school aged students.

• Spring & Fall: Teach up to 24 hours per week, balancing weekday courses within the school and weekend classes for students in the surrounding area.

• Winter & Summer Camps: Work with other Speech and Debate coaches in the Dipont ecosystem and travel to other cities in China to lead labs at our Summer and Winter Speech and Debate Camps.

Our Team 

Join a supportive, international team of educators passionate about learning and the arts. We value creativity, professionalism, and collaboration.

•    Startup-style environment with room for growth

•    Strong emphasis on quality education and measurable outcomes

•    Opportunities to develop new skills and take initiative

•    A culture that recognizes and values individual contributions

 Why join us?

◦    Monthly income starts from 29,000 RMB per month (including housing).

◦    Paid Chinese holidays, vacation time and flight reimbursement.

◦    Full coverage of health insurance and legal Chinese (Z) Work Visa sponsorship.

◦    Airport pick-up, initial hotel stay, and cash advances (if you are travelling from outside of China).

◦    Apartment hunting assistance to ease your transition.

Professional Ressources & Opportunities

◦    Multi- functional classroom spaces

◦    Creative freedom to adapt the curriculum to your expertise.

◦    High-profile involvement in local and international competitions.

◦    Immerse yourself in Chinese culture while meeting people from around the globe.

Who we are looking for

• Bachelor's degree or above

• Minimum of 2 years’ experience coaching debate, with a strong understanding of development and learning strategies.

• Meets all requirements for obtaining a legal work visa and residence permit, including a clean criminal background check and verified academic credentials.

What you’ll bring to the role

• Speech and Debate teaching and coaching experience, preferably with experience in NSDA style events.

• Lively, patient, and approachable teaching style; adept at encouraging students and quickly establishing positive teacher-student relationships with young children.

• Consistently display professionalism inside and outside of the classroom.

What Makes You a Great Fit

• A genuine passion for education and debate and a commitment to student growth and well-being.

• Strong interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills, with the ability to thrive in a collaborative international team.

• Highly organized, dependable, and committed to delivering excellence in teaching and learning.

• Upholds high ethical standards and complies with all school policies and local regulations.

*We are committed to a thorough and complete check of the credentials of all those employed to work with children in our organization.