INITIATING A CONVERSATION
Communication Series - Lesson #1
GOAL:
•
To learn how to initiate appropriate conversation with others.
MATERIALS NEEDED:
Flipchart, markers, for each participant copies of Initiating a Conversation
Summary Sheet.
METHOD:
Warm up: Getting to Know You
Divide the group into pairs. Instruct participants to find out three things about their
partner that they did not know before. Ask each person to introduce their partner
to the group.
Exercise 1: Initiating a Conversation
Illustrate how to initiate a conversation by using a role-play with two staff. Discuss
the role-play and flipchart observations.
Exercise 2: Conversation Openers
Invite group to brainstorm topics for conversation openers. The list may include
such things as:
- comments on the weather
- introducing yourself
- asking "May I sit here?"
- asking "What do you think of ....?"
Direct participants not to ask personal questions, especially if they do not know the
person well. Include general topics.
Ask participants to discuss what to do if someone does not respond to their
invitation to talk.
Exercise 3: Conversation Practise
Ask participants to form dyads. Tell each person to practise initiating a
conversation and continue to dialogue for two minutes.
Encourage participants to share their experience in the large group.
Exercise 4 : Action Plan
Hand out copies of Initiating a Conversation Summary Sheet. Tell each person
to initiate one conversation with someone they already know within their setting
and report to the group next week.
EVALUATION:
CREDIT:
Heather Campbell, The Salvation Army Bathurst Industries.
INITIATING A CONVERSATION
SUMMARY SHEET
Benefits of improving our conversational skills:
• we feel more comfortable in talking with others
• we increase our opportunities to meet new people
• we make fri