This paper explains the experience of using academic debate as a motivating and invigorating element in class.Academic debate has also been used as a catalyst for the competences acquisition and improvement in connection to the "Business Management" course in the Labour Law and Human Resources degree in the "Universidad de Cadiz".The context of said course is apathy, low class attendance and lack of participation.The students have historically shown difficulties when addressing and doing genuine and team works.As main results are worth to mention the increase in the students' interest, who indicate a high satisfaction and an improvement in both their own perception about their new acquired competences and the final grades.