What makes someone confident enough to stand on the national debate stage? Is it fluent speaking ability, extensive knowledge, or relentless practice? For Lan Phương, the answer is something even more important: critical thinking skills cultivated daily and the confidence to speak up for herself. That’s also the baggage she carries with her as she embarks on her journey at Teen School 2026.
Recalling the moment she received the results, Lan Phương shared that her initial feeling was a mix of surprise and relief. “To prepare for the casting round, we spent a lot of time practicing and preparing thoroughly. So when we received the notification that we were directly accepted into the Top 16, the whole team was both surprised and relieved because our efforts had been recognized.”
Behind that joy lies a whole process of serious preparation. And when she stepped into the studio, the real challenge began.
The pressure of facing millions of viewers
Many people think that the hardest thing in a debate competition is facing strong teams. But for Lan Phương, her biggest opponent was herself. It was the moment the studio lights came on, the cameras started recording, and she realized that every word, every argument she made would be broadcast to viewers nationwide.
Unlike a debate in a classroom, a television stage doesn’t allow speakers to focus solely on the content. Each contestant must simultaneously control their emotions, remain calm, present clearly, and react flexibly to the pressure of time, cameras, and the audience. Only after experiencing those moments did Lan Phương understand that true strength isn’t about not being nervous, but about being able to speak up even when under immense pressure.
“I found the biggest challenge to be speaking in front of the camera and a large audience. Knowing my speech would be broadcast nationwide made the pressure much greater.” In that moment, Lan Phương not only represented her team but also carried the hopes of the H.A.S community. That pressure made her heart race, but it was also when she understood that the most important thing wasn’t to speak perfectly, but to remain calm enough to fully convey what she believed in.
Critical thinking skills developed through daily learning
Lan Phương shared that her debating skills were not only honed during team training sessions but also nurtured through her daily studies.
In particular, the SACE Dual Degree program helped her develop the habit of asking questions, analyzing, and viewing a problem from multiple perspectives instead of receiving information in a one-sided manner. In Economics, when analyzing a government policy, students not only learn about the benefits the policy brings, but also assess who benefits, who is affected, and the potential long-term impacts.
“That way of thinking is very similar to debate, where each issue has multiple perspectives and needs to be analyzed comprehensively,” this learning method helped Lan Phuong develop critical thinking as a habit. When entering Teen School, where teams have limited time to approach a completely new topic, she and her teammates can quickly analyze information, build arguments, and prepare for the debate.
Behind every step of progress is an environment that always provides opportunities for students to grow.
According to Lan Phuong, the biggest advantage that the SACE Dual Degree program offers is not only knowledge, but also the ability to learn and research independently. In each debate, teams had to constantly read materials, select information sources, evaluate data, and build their own perspectives within a very short time. These skills have become a familiar part of my learning process.
“I think the biggest advantage that SACE offers is the ability to learn and research independently. We are used to reading materials, selecting information, and building our own perspectives, so we can adapt more quickly to the requirements of the competition.”
In addition, Lan Phuong also expressed her gratitude to the teachers at Hanoi Adelaide School. Not only did they provide professional support, but they also always believed in, encouraged, and created opportunities for students to confidently try their hand at larger competitions. This trust motivated Lan Phuong and her teammates to confidently step out of their comfort zone, dare to challenge themselves, and continuously improve through each round of the competition.
The most valuable thing after School Teen
A competition will eventually end. Reaching the Top 16 will be a beautiful milestone in Lan Phương’s journey of growth, but what truly remains is not just an achievement or a few moments on television. It’s the confidence to speak up in front of a crowd, the ability to critically analyze issues instead of jumping to hasty conclusions, and the spirit of continuous learning, ready to step out of her comfort zone to conquer new challenges.
Perhaps, that is also her greatest value. What Teen School brought to Lan Phuong was not the victory in a debate, but the growth and maturity gained each time she dared to speak her mind.
Hanoi Adelaide School
Pioneering Competency-Based Education in Vietnam
Pioneering Competency-Based Education in Vietnam
