ACCORDING to a recent survey by Psychology Today, public speaking is Americans' greatest fear - ahead of snakes, heights and even clowns. But for students in ASAP's Philadelphia Scholastic Debate League, speaking in public is fun.

Each week, ASAP's student debaters present oral arguments on a variety of complex issues, from government surveillance to universal health care.

"Debate is a great opportunity to learn about new topics that are going on in the world," said Isaiah Patrick, captain of Constitution High School's debate team. "And it is a fun competition where you meet young bright minds from other schools.

"It makes you think critically and fast," he said, "and gives you the skills to compete in the real world."