As I prepare for my first Chat Cafe meeting, I feel both hopeful and ambitious. It is my hope that members of my group are, likewise, feeling motivated and excited to initiate our semester together. The thought of their willingness to learn from one another and grow as conversationalists is motivating me to explore new avenues of facilitation, such as hands-on activities - as suggested in class.
I firmly believe that the improvement and growth amongst participants is catalyzed, at least to a certain degree, by the effort and excitement I harness as a facilitator. So, in the coming days, I plan to draft several weeks worth of tentative meeting plans. These plans will include, introductory ice-breaker activities, conversation starters, and small intra-sessional projects. Several ideas I have drafted thus far include: short term goal-setting, social media show-and-tell, and a small "culture fair". The culture fair would involve each person sharing an important aspect of their own culture, such as food, clothing, artwork, or literature. Participation is, of course, optional, as we are all very busy; however, the opportunity to showcase their cultures will serve as an informative ice-breaker and a smooth transition into conversation, as they are able to comment on something they are very familiar with. It is my hope that the students will connect with one another through basic inquiries regarding their respective cultures.
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