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By: GrahamH
6
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| Opening Questions and Conversations |
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19/07/2010 17:50:56 |
We run a youth hangout where we have around 50 unchurched young people coming in. It is proving a great place to build relationships. Whilst I feel I am confident talking to young people when I get going I do struggle sometimes to open conversation and maintain it initially. I do the how are you, how was your week but then I go blank. Has anyone got any ideas on how to open up and maintain conversations? and/or know of any resources that could help. |
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By: pete
I am not but I know I Am.
428
Posts
Email: youthworkerpete@hotmail.com
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| Re: Opening Questions and Conversations |
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19/07/2010 22:35:09 |
Think of some ´open´ questions - things that cannot be answered with one word.
So rather than ´How´s your week been?´ which could be answered ´ok´ - end of conversation - try ´What´s the best thing that´s happened this week?´. I accept someone could really be picky and say ´nothing´ - but that opens up a whole other line of questioning - like ´oh dear, sounds bad - well what was the least negative thing?´
Usually, though, people will say something like ´when I reached level 80 on WoW´ (possibly my own bias showing there), which adds a whole range of other questions - what´s WoW? So where are you going to quest now? Do you play any other games?
Don´t forget, of course, it´s a conversation. It´s ok to talk not jsut ask questions. So tell them about how your week was, even if not asked. Tell them what your favourite game is. Conversations flow best when people answer to a full stop, not a question mark. |
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By: Kaizen
www.myyouthworkresource.co.uk
3
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| Suggestion |
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20/07/2010 00:31:16 |
Graham,
Good on you for understanding you struggle in the way of continuing conversation. Takes alot to admit it from what ive seen of people.
As mentioned, open questions work very well. Anything that avoids a yes or no answer. I have found myself in a similar situation before and I played a simple game.
Got the young people together and played 2 truths and a lie. Really basic game where people do as the title says. allows you to not only have a giggle about some lies people say but also provides the opportunity to approach some young people afterwards and talk to them about their truths.
Let me know how you get on whatever you do :) |
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By: pete
I am not but I know I Am.
428
Posts
Email: youthworkerpete@hotmail.com
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| Re: Suggestion |
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20/07/2010 11:32:15 |
That comment about a game reminds me - there was a person I knew who used to walk into the middle of conversations and simply give a load of ´either/or´ questions (really mundane things like Whisper or Aero, Harry Potter or Twilight) - but it doesn´t take too many until one sparks a good conversation. |
Opening Questions and Conversations