46th SEA Forensics and Debate Tournament 2026

The 46th SEA Forensics and Debate Tournament 2026 - A Tradition That Recognises the Power of Language, Ideas and Connection

At its core, SEA gives students the time and space to hone their skill of connection. Whether they are trying to connect the audience to a character or an important topic via debate, all speeches are an attempt to connect. What is more human than that?

- Nadhirah Chairil Anwar, Tournament Director

The SEA Forensics and Debate Tournament is a celebration of language, ideas, and connection. Established by The International School of Kuala Lumpur (ISKL) in 1979, it continues to be held annually and is one of the school’s longest-running traditions, marking its 46th year in 2026.

The first of its kind in Southeast Asia, it is now believed to be one of the largest multicultural platforms that encourages public speaking, debating skills, and critical thinking across a diverse range of subjects.

From February 5-7 around 140 students participated in the SEA Forensics and Debate Tournament held at ISKL’s campus in Ampang Hilir, representing the following schools: 

• SMK Convent Bukit Nanas
• SMK St Mary
• SMK Jalan Empat
• SMK St John’s
• The International School of Kuantan
• Kolej Yayasan UEM
• Kolej Tuanku Ja’afar
• Shanghai American School Puxi
• Shanghai American School Pudong

This long-standing event embodies the spirit of community partnership, bringing together schools from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and overseas to collaborate, compete, and learn from one another. It also involves the entire school community with a dedicated team of volunteers comprising parents, faculty, and staff giving their time  to assist with judging, timing, and supervision, and contribute to making the event such a community success.

A special thanks goes to SEA Forensics and Debate Committee members Andrea Guerra (HS Math teacher), Brian Hall (HS Activities Director), and Kim Rochon (HS Math teacher) - we are so appreciative of the time they put into supporting the event and making this such an amazing experience for participants.

Nadhirah Chairil Anwar, who is also a trainee teacher at ISKL, entered her fourth year as SEA Forensics and Debate Tournament Director, though her involvement started twelve years ago when she herself was a SEA Debater.  Her level of personal involvement in the traditions of SEA Forensics and Debate is a testament to how many others associated with the tournament also appreciate its value and longevity. Their continued support for the benefit of another generation of students is why the event is so enduring. Nadhirah tells us: “The tournament pushes students to develop confidence in public speaking by mixing it with other, more familiar skills. For example, take the oral interpretation category, where students do a dramatic reading of an excerpt. Yes, they have to deliver this reading to an audience, but the theatricality and reading aloud may be skills that students are more comfortable with and can therefore use as a means of improving their public speaking”.

Participating students compete in speech, debate, and performance challenges, showing exemplary expression of creativity and critical thinking - the result of many hours of practice and preparation.

As ISKL’s SEA Speech and Debate team member Wilder B. ‘27 shared, “Being a member of the impromptu team, I practice four lunches a week. I feel impromptu is the most personal of the speech formats. When you have a minute to prepare a five-minute speech, there is not a lot of room for facade. Because of this, practices focus heavily on personal improvement of your speaking skills, and interesting organizational methods of a speech.”

Students must “pay attention to current events and formulate opinions,” Nadhirah highlights, and also tells us that “SEA encourages students to be observant, active members of society. Speech and debate support students' development of analytical skills. It teaches them how to break down complex ideas in a way that is digestible to their audience; it's a highly valuable skill in academics and beyond”.

Some disciplines are more philosophical in nature and others more theatrical. Three of the events ask students to prepare speeches within strict time limitations, on topics shared just moments before, while others allow advanced preparation. 

All tournament disciplines help students develop and practice critical skills. “SEA has allowed me to grow in my confidence to stand up and advocate for the things I believe in,” says another member of ISKL’s SEA Speech and Debate team, Tillie VdB. (‘26). “SEA also greatly improves public speaking skills and builds a vital self-confidence that serves you well both in school and life.”

 

This year marked the first time the tournament welcomed spectators from community partner schools, tournament alumni, and speech enthusiasts, adding to the strong sense of community at the heart of the event. Year after year, the SEA Forensics and Debate Tournament continues to bring people together, inspiring students while strengthening enduring community partnerships.

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