ABSTRACT
This educational practice report outlines the rationale for creating an original English oral communication skills course that combines the study of literature with formal debate. It includes a detailed breakdown of the regular class procedures used to prepare students for a weekly practice debate and also an overview of the course structure, showing how students acquire the skills and confidence to debate persuasively in front of an audience of their peers by the end of the course. The paper concludes with an overview of the English language skills as well as other academic competencies such as critical thinking and argumentative skills that the course aims to develop in students.