Student speech, debate and mock trial classes, with beginner pathways, national competition teams and online or Southern California instruction.
ModernBrain teaches students to research, build arguments, speak clearly and perform in front of others. Its course catalog separates introductory classes from specialized debate formats and national competition teams, so families can choose a program that matches their student’s grade and experience.
The Spring 2027 session runs from January 11 to May 23 and includes 18 weeks of instruction. The published schedule lists online classes and in-person sections in Irvine, San Marino and Rancho Palos Verdes. Choose a section by course, grade band and location. All schedule times are Pacific Time.
Beginners can start with speech or elementary debate classes. Public Forum develops partner-based argumentation, while mock trial introduces the work of attorneys and witnesses. National competition teams require an interview and a full-season commitment, with independent preparation and weekend competitions.
Dr. Iain Lampert, ModernBrain’s COO and an instructor, works on operations, counseling and curriculum. He is also the founder of Authentalk and a SuperDebate advisor. Families can book an informational session to discuss placement; virtual trial classes and team interviews have their own booking options.
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Classes
Introductory speaking activities use storytelling, simple arguments and presentation practice to help younger students become comfortable speaking to others.
Eligibility: Grades 1–2; no prerequisites. Select the online, Irvine or Rancho Palos Verdes section and confirm its meeting time.
Published fees: $1,124.99 for 27 hours across the 18-week Spring 2027 session.
Published session: January 11, 2027 – May 23, 2027. Confirm enrollment with the provider.
Irvine, California · Rancho Palos Verdes, California
Students · In person / Online
View service detailsClasses
Foundational instruction in limited-preparation speaking, researched speeches and performance. Elementary and middle-school students enroll in separate grade-band sections.
Eligibility: Separate sections for grades 3–5 and 6–8; no prerequisites. Listed in Irvine and online; confirm the selected section.
Published fees: $1,499.99 for 36 hours across the 18-week Spring 2027 session. Confirm any applicable discount or existing credit before paying.
Published session: January 11, 2027 – May 23, 2027. Confirm enrollment with the provider.
Classes
An introduction to spontaneous argumentation and a major debate format, with practice in teamwork, listening, research and defending a position.
Eligibility: Grades 3–5; no prerequisites. Listed online, in Irvine and in Rancho Palos Verdes.
Published fees: $1,499.99 for 36 hours across the 18-week Spring 2027 session. Confirm any applicable discount or existing credit before paying.
Published session: January 11, 2027 – May 23, 2027. Confirm enrollment with the provider.
Irvine, California · Rancho Palos Verdes, California
Students · In person / Online
View service detailsClasses
Students work with a partner to research current topics, construct cases and respond to opposing arguments. The introductory class is distinct from the national competition team.
Eligibility: Grades 6–12; no prerequisites for this class. Listed online and in Irvine. Competition-team admission follows a separate interview process.
Published fees: $1,499.99 for 36 hours across the 18-week Spring 2027 session. Confirm any applicable discount or existing credit before paying.
Published session: January 11, 2027 – May 23, 2027. Confirm enrollment with the provider.
Classes
Students practice courtroom advocacy, case analysis and the responsibilities of attorneys and witnesses. The course includes a capstone case exercise.
Eligibility: Grades 7–12; no prerequisites for this class. Listed online and in Irvine. The national mock trial team is a separate program for grades 8–12.
Published fees: $1,499.99 for 36 hours across the 18-week Spring 2027 session. Confirm any applicable discount or existing credit before paying.
Published session: January 11, 2027 – May 23, 2027. Confirm enrollment with the provider.
Classes
A coached competition pathway for students preparing speech events, with core classes, additional weekly workshops and independent preparation.
Eligibility: Grades 6–12. Interview required unless the provider waives a repeat interview. Full-season commitment from fall through spring, with competitions on one to three weekends per month. Spring entrants need approval; existing full-season families must not pay again.
Published fees: $2,858.83 for 36 hours of spring training, with up to six additional workshop hours per week included. Confirm the correct amount with ModernBrain before joining mid-season.
Published session: January 11, 2027 – May 23, 2027. Confirm enrollment with the provider.
COO and instructor; operations, counseling and curriculum
Iain’s ModernBrain role spans student instruction, curriculum and operations. His education includes a doctorate from Vanderbilt and an executive MBA from Northwestern. ModernBrain’s team biography describes his work coaching speech and mock trial competitors. He also founded Authentalk and serves on SuperDebate’s advisory board.
First- and second-graders have their own introductory speaking class. Older beginners can enter separate speech and debate courses, then move toward specialized formats when ready. Grade bands and prerequisites remain explicit rather than treating every student program as interchangeable.
National competition teams require placement through an interview and a full-season commitment. Students combine coached instruction with independent preparation and weekend competitions. Families should discuss readiness, workload and the correct tuition before enrolling.
Compare grade bands, locations, Pacific Time schedules, tuition and registration requirements.
Read the curriculum, prerequisites and expected workload for beginner and continuing programs.
Ask a team member about student placement, a virtual trial class or a national-team interview.
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Listings describe published services. Inclusion and featured presentation are not recommendations, ratings or verification of professional credentials.
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