A Letter from our Principal, Laura Lin

August 02, 2011

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In recent years, a growing number of parents (especially within the Chinese-American community) have come to share a common realization: for students to increase their chances of being admitted to top universities, and to thrive as future leaders once there, it is essential to develop strong skills in public speaking and debate.

 

As both an educator and a Chinese parent, I saw firsthand how many academically strong students struggled to express themselves verbally. While they excelled in math, science, and writing, they often hesitated to speak up in class, lead group discussions, or advocate for themselves. Chinese cultural values such as humility, modesty, and quiet diligence, while admirable, sometimes left them at a disadvantage in American academic and professional environments, which place a premium on confidence, communication, and leadership.

 

When my own two children were applying to college, they were frequently asked: “What talents do you bring that will contribute to our school?” As a newly immigrated family at the time, I found this question surprisingly revealing. Compared to public universities in Taiwan, tuition in the U.S. is quite expensive. So in my view, the tuition we paid was our main “contribution”, and it would be more fitting for us as parents to ask the school: “What kind of support will you provide to help my child grow academically and as a person?” But I quickly realized the deeper meaning: universities were seeking students who would enrich their campus culture through active participation and personal presence.

 

From the admissions perspective, top universities aren’t just looking at grades. Among elite applicants, academic performance, test scores, and extracurriculars are often similar. Many students also have impressive records in music, art, athletics, and community service. What sets a student apart is their ability to communicate with clarity, confidence, and purpose.

 

This is where training in speech and debate becomes invaluable. Not only does it help students speak persuasively, it also strengthens critical thinking, research skills, and emotional intelligence. When faced with equally qualified candidates, admissions officers are often more impressed by the student who has learned to organize ideas, speak with conviction, and respond thoughtfully under pressure. And once admitted, universities also consider whether students will thrive. After all, a school’s reputation is also shaped by its graduates — their employment rate and leadership potential reflect back on their alma mater.

 

That’s why communication training matters. Colleges and employers value students who are articulate, logical, and confident, especially those who can present ideas persuasively without being aggressive. What we call “powerful persuasion” is not about dominating others; it’s about listening, connecting, and expressing ideas clearly and respectfully.

 

Many Chinese-American parents would agree that their children tend to perform well in academics and are diligent in reading and writing. However, spoken English remains an area of weakness, often due to cultural upbringing. These students may be natural leaders, but without the ability to express their thoughts clearly, they may be overlooked.

 

In many East Asian societies, students are taught that modesty is a virtue, and speaking less is often seen as respectful. But in the U.S., silence is not golden. A student might graduate from Harvard with top grades, but if they can’t present themselves well in interviews or meetings, they may lose out on opportunities to peers with more confidence and less competence.

 

In contrast, many successful young professionals in mainstream American society have not only high test scores, but also strong communication skills. They know how to share ideas, defend their beliefs, and win support. Whether it’s pitching a startup, leading a team, or negotiating a salary, the ability to speak persuasively is a deciding factor in success.

 

And here’s the key: this ability is not innate, it's trained. Some students may be naturally charismatic, but true persuasive skill comes from structured training and practice. Without a foundation in rhetoric, logic, and audience awareness, even the most talkative student may struggle to persuade, or worse, come across as insincere or scattered.

 

That’s why I believe speech and debate education is so important — not just for Chinese-American students, but for all students. These skills build confidence, resilience, leadership, and self-awareness, qualities that benefit students in every field and at every stage of life.

 

America’s position as a global leader in democracy is closely linked to its emphasis on training students in speech and debate. Most middle and high schools offer courses or clubs, from small, internal training to regional competitions. The goal is to help students speak confidently in public and respond thoughtfully to challenges, not to freeze, blush, or stay silent.

 

I once read a story that stuck with me: In the Kennedy family, known for producing talented leaders, the dinner table would feature a different debate topic each night. Every child was expected to speak their mind and engage in civil discourse. Turns out, leadership training can start at home.

 

One of the strengths of the American forensics system is the diversity of events available: famous speeches, humorous interpretation, dramatic interpretation, duo interpretation, impromptu, poetry reading, informative speaking with visuals, team debate, solo debate, original advocacy, original legislation, even broadcast-style TV pairings. This allows students to find their niche and focus deeply in one area, eventually mastering others through transferable skills. For example, mastering interpretation helps improve impromptu delivery; the difference lies in whether you use a script or not. Or, learning to craft original arguments strengthens debate performance across formats.

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In California, many schools offer speech and debate programs, but access is limited. Tryouts are competitive, and not all students make the team. Some schools have only one coach covering multiple events. Others have cut funding for extracurriculars entirely, due to ongoing budget constraints.

 

That’s why I founded Kudos: to provide a dedicated space where students, especially those who might not otherwise have access, can receive high-quality, structured training in public speaking and debate. Whether or not their school offers a program, students can come to Kudos to grow their confidence, sharpen their thinking, and strengthen their voice.

 

Many parents have been thrilled to see their children win awards after joining our program. For instance, Kudos has participated in seven inter-school tournaments in the past six months and earned 25 trophies, including four championship titles — garnering praise and recognition from mainstream schools. Even parents who don’t care about competition appreciate that their child is learning to speak clearly, confidently, and with structure in public.

 

These outcomes affirm what I’ve believed all along: communication is a teachable skill, and with the right support, every student has the potential to become a strong, confident speaker and a future leader.

 

Thank you for trusting us with your child’s growth. We look forward to continuing this journey together!

 

Warmly,

Laura Lin

Principal, Kudos Education