Summer break is a time for children to relax, recharge, and explore new interests. However, many parents also worry about the “summer slide,” the loss of academic skills and learning habits that can happen during long school breaks. The good news is that summer learning does not have to feel like school. In fact, the most effective summer programs combine education, creativity, and fun. This is why online summer camps have become increasingly popular for students from Grade 1

Learning how to write a story using the hero’s journey can take your storytelling to the next level. This powerful pattern appears in some of the most famous stories of all time, from magical fairy tales to blockbuster films. Why the Hero’s Journey Works So Well The hero’s journey has stood the test of time because it feels deeply human. At some point, everyone faces fear, chases success, hits obstacles, and grows through the struggle. This pattern connects with readers becau

The April 2026 Public Forum topic asks students to debate the following resolution: The United States should eliminate the President’s authority to deploy military forces abroad without Congressional approval. On the surface, this sounds like a debate about government procedure. But once you look more closely, it becomes clear that the topic is really about something much bigger. It asks who should have the power to make one of the most serious decisions a country can make:

Disagreements are everywhere. Students argue about school rules, homework policies, social issues, sports teams, and even what should be allowed on social media. Sometimes these disagreements feel calm and thoughtful. Other times, they turn tense, emotional, or even hostile. When people stop listening and start labeling each other, communication breaks down. We live in a polarized world, which means that people often feel pushed into opposite sides with little space in betwee

Every once in a while, a Public Forum resolution feels less like an academic exercise and more like a conversation already happening outside the debate room. Sports betting is no longer confined to casinos or occasional trips to Las Vegas. It appears on smartphones during live games, in advertisements between plays, and in conversations among friends watching sports together. What was once niche has become mainstream, and regulation has struggled to keep pace. Our resolution

Many students believe that clear writing comes from using big words or sounding sophisticated. In reality, some of the clearest and most powerful writing uses simple language, careful structure, and an invisible guiding voice that helps the reader follow every step of the argument. This guiding voice is often called the hidden language of writing. You may not notice it when you read a strong essay, but you immediately feel its absence when writing becomes confusing. What Is t

Start With Your Anchor Idea When your mind feels messy, don’t chase every thought. Grab just one. Your anchor idea is the single sentence that captures what you want to say. It’s your home base. If your topic is Courage, your anchor might be: Courage is doing what’s right even when it feels impossible. Everything else examples, stories, points will orbit around this anchor. Use the Lightning Plan Think of organizing your thoughts like snapping together LEGO blocks. First, tel

Start With the Core Message Ever wonder why some speeches echo in your mind long after they’re over? The secret is structure and emotion. To write a speech that people remember, you need to start with your core message: one sentence that captures everything you want your audience to take home. Then you build around that message like it’s a heartbeat. Every example, story, joke, or statistic should pulse in rhythm with that central idea. That rhythm: emotion plus repetition is

We’re excited to introduce Teacher Kimberly, an experienced English educator who has spent the past 15 years helping students build confidence and find their voice in English. She has taught learners of all ages while living in Singapore, Malaysia, and Turkey, and is certified in the state of Illinois to teach K–12 ESL as well as English/Language Arts for Grades 6–12. Kimberly holds a Master’s degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Massachusetts Boston and a Bac

Find Your Anchor, Not Your Script Your heart’s racing. The judge’s pen is moving. The clock is cruel. You’re mid-speech and suddenly blank. Sounding persuasive under pressure is about anchoring yourself in purpose. When tension hits, the main idea you want to share becomes your mental compass. Master Yourself Persuasive speaking is less about volume and more about rhythm. To control your voice when stress tries to steal it, slow down. Emphasize key words with vocal weight and

Have you ever noticed how just one small part of a word can unlock the meaning of dozens of others? That’s the magic of word roots, the foundation of so many words in English. Instead of memorizing endless vocabulary lists, students can learn to decode words like detectives, spotting patterns and connections that make reading and writing easier, richer, and much more fun. Why Word Roots Matter Vocabulary growth is one of the strongest predictors of academic success. The more

Reading is like building a superpower, one page at a time. Every child begins by sounding out simple words, but with the right support, they can grow into confident, curious readers who not only love books but also thrive in school. The big question is: how do kids actually learn to read, and how can we help them along the way? The Amazing Journey of a Young Reader Children’s reading skills develop in distinct stages, each one building on the last. In the Starter Stage (Pre-

Public Forum (PF) debate is one of the most exciting formats for students who want to tackle real-world issues. Teams of two go...

(And How to Tackle This Year's Big Economics Question) Are you the kind of student who loves to ask “but why?” Do you find yourself connecting economics to ethics, politics to philosophy or just wondering how we make decisions in the real world? If so, the John Locke Essay Competition might be your perfect intellectual playground. What Is the John Locke Essay Competition? Hosted by the John Locke Institute, this international competition invites students to write thoughtful,

(And Why Think Talk Is the Perfect Place to Start) In a world filled with constant communication—texts, emails, essays, presentations—being able to express yourself clearly and creatively is more important than ever. But here’s the thing: writing isn’t just a school skill. It’s a life skill. It’s a confidence-builder. It’s a doorway into imagination, empathy, and self-expression. That’s why the Creative Writing Course at Think Talk is more than just a class; it’s a journey in

Have you ever been told you're smart? Or that you're creative? Maybe both?This topic asks a simple but powerful question: What’s more...

Have you ever been in a debate where your opponent’s argument just didn’t feel right, but you couldn’t quite explain why? Maybe they...

When you hear the word ‘debate,’ you might think about arguments, facts, and logic. But strong debaters know that beyond evidence and reasoning, there are fundamental principles that shape their arguments. These principles, like fairness, justice, life, health, and freedom, serve as the backbone of persuasive and impactful debating. Why Are Principles Important? Principles help debaters go beyond just facts and statistics. They give arguments a sense of purpose and urgency. W

Interpretation events, such as impromptu speaking, are more than just an exciting challenge for students who enjoy public speaking—they...

What does it mean to seek truth? How do we define freedom, morality, or even time itself? These are the kinds of questions explored in...