Pia Zammit (front, on right) with the academy participants.

Four teams of 12 first-year sixth formers from St Edward’s and St Martin’s colleges participated in this year’s edition of the English-Speaking Union of Malta’s debating academy.

The event, held at the ESU Malta’s Msida premises, was won by a team called ‘The Martinis’ from St Martin’s, composed of Sondos Kablan, Alexia Cassar and Edward Attard Selvagi.

The first day comprised interactive workshops, tutorials and trial debates. Motions on the topics of migration, democracy and online piracy were debated.

The fun, interactive and frequently rowdy workshops were led by ESU Malta director of education Pia Zammit and board member Philip Leone Ganado. Participants were trained how to rebut and raise questions in points of information and how to correctly format their arguments.