Furthermore, now that I know my participants a little bit better, it has definitely changed how I facilitate. I don't plan the same things for both of my groups all of the time. My Wednesday group is slightly more introverted, and won't always talk as much; therefore, I always have extra stuff to discuss with them. I recently went to Sweeting with them, and planned all the things we could discuss, including the menu, tea, and plans for fall break. I let the conversation flow, and we discussed the menu and what we were going to order for quite awhile, but I made sure to have a new question ready for whenever we had a lull. My Friday group is quite lively (surprising for 7 PM on Friday!) and the conversation flows pretty easily. Because of this, we usually don't get through as much stuff, but we also go off on many interesting tangents. For example, last Friday we discussed what is cheaper or more expensive in the United States vs their home country. This grew out of a conversation about the UM vs MSU game!
Friday, October 13, 2017
Blog #3
I have noticed throughout the semester that planning a conversation can go significantly different than facilitating a conversation. The biggest issue is that I'll plan something, and then we don't talk about it nearly as long as I expect, which leaves me jumping from Plan A to Plan B pretty quickly. However, I have found that just taking a step back after discussing my question or activity and letting the conversation continue without me guiding it is a good way for the other students to practice their English and ensure that I am not doing too much of the talking. This also spreads out my plan to ensure that I do not run through it before time is up. Then, once the conversation slows, I'll jump back in to ask a new question or move to a new activity. Additionally, I always imagine the conversation going in a certain direction, which does not always happen. This is not a big deal, but it is definitely a huge difference between my panning and my facilitating.
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Hi Carina,
ReplyDeleteIt's funny that you mention having to quickly go through back-up plans when a question has been depleted before you expected - it happens to me all the time! It's great that you let the conversation flow regardless. I think that it's important to maybe relinquish control in order to make the group more effective and more of a simulation of real conversation as opposed to just answering pre-determined questions robotically. Sometimes, it's hard to calculate how long a particular question/topic will take; I know that I often misjudge the length certain things will be. It can be challenging because you never know how much someone will have to say about a certain topic! I like how you choose to overcome it though which is to a) have contingencies in place and b) not worry about whether you get through all the topics on your agenda. It's a great attitude and approach to take for these sessions.
What sort of activities do you plan? You mention multiple. Do you arrange it so that you have one bigger, central activity and then smaller ones to supplement it, or are they all just mini-group activities?
It's also awesome that you analyze your particular group, because each one will be different in terms of how to have an effective conversation circle. I always worry if we start talking about something that is lighter instead of having more conventional conversation (i.e. discussing drink orders as opposed to classes or something). But, it's so important to realize that this emulates true conversation just as much as more serious topics.
Sounds like you've had an engaging and exciting chat café experience!