Classes are over for the day at this Washington DC school, but these kids are in no hurry to go home. They are preparing to take part in a debate over U.S. immigration policy.

"That's not what I'm saying at all. What I was, what I was saying was that immigrant, migrant labor is usually cheaper than labor from people that are born in the country."

Participants have to be well prepared. At the start of the debate, their coach decides what side of the question they will argue. "Topic like immigration was really hard for some kids to argue against the plan, because it's so personal. It's so heartfelt. In some cases, it's my own life, right? And so getting to a place where you can use that emotion, but do it in a rational way that makes a stronger argument. "

Although it's difficult to stay rational, one needs to make an effort to understand different points of view. Listening, students agree, is a key. "I need to be able to argue my point, but I also need to make sure that I'm respectful to these to these other individuals." 

"The secret to winning a debate is to be able to understand your opponents, and so you're able to figure out what things that you need to address. That's arguing."

Stamina, discipline and organization are just a few of the skills students learned during these mock debates, says Hauk. "Most of the students you saw are sixth or seventh grade, and so getting that kind of vocabulary in front of them leads to better SAT scores. It leads to better understanding of the news. It leads to better debate, and it just leads them to continue to be some of the best students in the school."

Debate classes are held in most private schools, but there are fewer in public schools. David Tribble is with the Washington urban debate league, a nonprofit organization that promotes class debates. "The area that the United States still paces the rest of the world is in this idea of creativity and critical thinking, and I think that debate which forces you to think quickly on the spot is one of the key tools that helps develop those skills. "

"Ukraine is a very close ally to NATO. It's not a member yet since Russia won't, does not want, Ukraine in NATO." From international politics to domestic issues, for these school kids class debates are a way to learn and promote understanding.