First it is based on a biblical form of education. Proverbs 24:3-4 says:
"Through wisdom is an house built; and by understanding it is established; and by knowledge shall the chambers be filled."

Knowledge means that you know facts. Understanding means that you understand the facts and their implications. Wisdom means being able to act godly in light of the knowledge and understanding. Knowledge without understanding can never lead to wisdom. Most parents and even most schools do a great job of teaching the facts or imparting knowledge to students. What is more difficult to teach is understanding the facts in light of God's revealed Word and then sharing or acting upon the information wisely. For example, we are pretty good at helping our children hide God's word in their hearts. It is more difficult to teach them how to dig into Scripture for themselves and then to apply it, not just to their private lives but in a way that shines Christ's light into the world.

Homeschoolers generally refer to these ideas as a Christian Worldview and desire to impart them to their children. Most attempt to teach this worldview by using Christian textbooks and they usually do a good job of imparting knowledge to their children, but this is not quite the same as teaching them to be wise. Classical education concentrates on helping teachers and parents give children the thinking tools that lead to wisdom.

For example, consider the goals and skills practiced in debate. Students learn the ability to ask polite questions in light of a disagreement in order to give them time to gather their own thoughts. The debater shows his adversary he is concerned while disagreeing in love, and both walk away after having shared opposing points of view.

In a formal debate you state your case, ask questions of your opponent, and then give your rebuttal while they have the opportunity to do the same. In real life we often state our case, hear a different point of view from someone who disagrees, leave the situation frustrated or angry only to think of what we should have said when it is too late.

In a formal debate you learn to ask intelligent questions and to analyze legitimate arguments versus unsupported opinions. You learn to use the time listening to your opponent to think of your own response while trying to understand them. These same skills will help you get to the root of a friend's rejection of Christianity. People know you respect their opinion when you take time to ask them questions rather than to simply maintain that your own view is correct.

It is possible to learn this skill at home as a family. But the benefit to practicing this skill with peers is that it will help the student learn to debate beyond their comfort zone. Debating is just one of many rhetorical skills that enable us to share our knowledge in a cogent manner.

Classical Conversations is a series of seminars for middle and high school students. The seminars encourage the development of debating skills along with other rhetorical skills such as argument, exposition, research, and logic. All of these skills are exercised within the context of typical high school credits such as biology, algebra, American government, economics and others. If you are interested in learning how to join us or to just get more information on classical education at home please call me. I am in the directory.

The FHE library has an excellent book on classical education called Recovering the Lost Tools of Learning by Douglas Wilson.