Well i debated with many believers about different topics, and what i noticed was, that many don't even know how to swim, but have the guts to jump in the middle of the ocean. This means many simply start to debate because they believe they are correct, and then have no answer back when evidence or the facts get thrown in there face. As a result many jump back to primitive resources like using a fallacy to retreat.
For this reason i analyze conversations about regular things, to find out there level of consciousness or state of mind, not to see if they are capable of going into a debate. But more to figure out who they are, and when i find that out, then i just go along with how they think. And only share some hints to see if they are open enough to accept that they can get smarter. I do that because i prefer to talk with people on my level, and if they can't do that, then i teach them.
And if see from the beginning that they are not open minded enough, then i wound even start going in a debate. Because they could have their own reason for going serious in a debate, it could be out of ignorance, but also because they are irritated on a me, someone, the group or the topic.
Im convinced that doing a debate is a skill, what can be learned by anyone, who is open minded enough to understand that he needs some skills.
Yes, it is definitely a skill that can be developed and I think that it should be on every schools curriculum as well as critical thinking, bias in the media and self-awareness.
Indeed, for me it was more a skill what was needed to survive in life, or else i would have done something stupid. Then later on i used those skills in debates against believers. And trust me on this, that was a good education option. I learned alot and i also realized that not many think with an open mind, many forced up what they believe. Or are afraid of the truth. Its difficult....