Mastering the Art of French Debate at UWCSEA

By Lara, Grade 12, UWCSEA East
19 May 2026

Have you ever wondered whether school uniforms should be required, or whether technology could ever truly replace us? If you speak French, Palabres might just be the place for you.

Palabres is an Activity where students come together every week to practice debating in French. Open to speakers of all levels, the sessions focus on developing argumentation skills while preparing students for the Joutes Oratoires—the annual debate run in partnership with the Association des Professeurs de Français de Singapour (APFS). The event is a highlight of the year for young French learners across Singapore.

This year, the debate took place after school on Wenesday, 27 November, bringing together students from UWCSEA and 11 other schools across Singapore. 
Held for the third consecutive year in the Kishore Mahbubani Library at East Campus, the event celebrated French language and Francophone cultures, complete with slam poetry, music, singing, and, of course, debates. Students competed in four rounds of debate, culminating in a final surprise motion between two schools: Should Service learning be compulsory for all High School students? Throughout the evening, the teams crafted motions, delivered rebuttals, and defended their points, putting their communication, collaboration, and critical thinking skills to the test. 

One Grade 12 student described the event as a “great opportunity to build confidence with the language,” while a visiting teacher highlighted it as a valuable way to meet new colleagues, “particularly since French departments tend to be small across schools on the island.”

This year, the final motion in the First Language category was contested between UWCSEA Dover and Tanglin Trust School (TTS), while the Foreign Language category saw the Ministry of Education Language Centre (MOELC) face off against TTS. Both debates proved intense, as teams discussed the importance and relevance of integrating service into the High School curriculum. 

TTS emerged as the winner in the First Language category, while MOELC claimed victory in the Foreign Language category.
 

In addition to the students, key organisations took part in the Joutes. The event was sponsored by Alliance Française and Petit Depot, one of Singapore’s leading online supermarkets for authentic French foods. 
Teachers from the 11 visiting schools also contributed as judges, highlighting the strength of Singapore’s active and collaborative Francophone community.
With new connections formed, verbs conjugated, and arguments challenged, UWCSEA East students engaged with enthusiasm as they helped anchor the 2025 annual debate. 

Beyond debating, East students also played a key role in organising and leading the event. They contributed by designing posters, preparing the venue, welcoming and guiding visitors, emceeing sessions, collecting feedback from judges, and reporting on the event.