Understand the foundations of meaningful discussion
Explain the conditions that help people participate, listen, ask questions and exchange different perspectives.
Erasmus+ teacher training course
Fun Activities to Spark Discussion
How can simple, engaging activities help people speak openly, listen carefully and explore different points of view?
Inclusive Dialogue, Multiple Perspectives and Better Group Decisions
Target group: Teachers, school leaders, trainers, facilitators, adult educators, organisational teams and other education professionals from all educational levels.
- Activity type
- Physical mobility
- Duration
- 1 week
- Language
- English
- Equipment
- Laptop not required
Practical Activities for Inclusive Dialogue and Better Decisions
This professional development course explores how educators and facilitators can create discussions in which people feel able to contribute, question ideas and respond to disagreement constructively. Participants experience a wide range of practical activities designed to encourage curiosity, listening, participation and thoughtful exchange.
The course focuses on adaptable methods rather than one fixed facilitation model. Through simulations, creative challenges, international exchange and guided reflection, participants learn how to choose discussion formats that suit different learners, subjects, teams and cultural contexts.
By the end of the course, each participant will have created a practical discussion activity or facilitation plan for their own setting. They will also leave with original tools for gathering perspectives, balancing participation, exploring disagreement and supporting groups in making better-informed decisions.
Learning outcomes
What You Will Learn
Recognise participation patterns
Identify who speaks, who remains less visible and which group conditions may make participation easier or more difficult.
Facilitate engaging discussion activities
Discover, apply and discuss different strategies and activities
Work constructively with disagreement
Guide discussions in which participants can challenge ideas, express uncertainty and explore tension without personalising conflict.
Support collaborative decision-making
Use structured activities to compare options, identify shared priorities and make group decisions more transparent.
Six-day programme
Course Schedule
Day 1Creating the conditions for discussion
Welcome, needs mapping and course compass
Creating the conditions for discussion
Welcome, Needs Mapping and Course Compass
Participants introduce their educational contexts, identify personal learning goals and reflect on their current experience of leading discussions.
What Helps People Speak?
Participants explore the conditions that encourage or discourage contribution, including trust, language confidence, group size, time, status and fear of making mistakes.
Day 2Building Discussion Agreements
The group creates practical agreements for listening, questioning, disagreement, confidentiality and shared responsibility.
Inviting different perspectives
Move to a Viewpoint
Participants physically position themselves in response to a question, statement or scenario, explain their reasoning and reconsider their position after listening to others.
The Missing Perspective
Small groups examine a case and identify whose experience, knowledge or point of view may be absent from the conversation.
Day 3Asking Questions
Asking Questions
Participants transform closed, leading or confrontational questions into questions that encourage explanation, reflection and dialogue.
Listening and Perspective
Participants practise listening, accurately summarising and building on another person’s contribution before introducing their own view.
Say It Another Way
Groups explore how tone, wording and assumptions can influence whether a contribution opens or closes discussion.
Day 4Connect, Question, Extend
Participants respond to an idea by identifying a point of connection, asking a genuine question and adding a new possibility.
Participation and group dynamics
Participation Map
Participants observe a simulated discussion and visually record patterns such as speaking time, interruptions, questions, support and idea development.
Roles
Participants experiment with roles such as questioner, connector, summariser, evidence checker, perspective seeker and participation observer.
Day 5Complex Classroom and Team Cases
Group Analysis
Groups examine realistic situations involving silence, dominant voices, disagreement, language barriers and unequal confidence.
The Decision Spectrum
Participants compare different ways of making decisions, including individual responsibility, consultation, voting, consent and shared agreement.
Common Ground Canvas
Groups identify areas of agreement, unresolved questions, important differences and points requiring further evidence.
Day 6Course Closure & Cultural Activities
- Reflecting on learning outcomes and key takeaways
- Awarding of Certificates of Attendance
- Cultural excursion and local heritage experience
- Informal networking and exchange of best practices
Course foundations
Recommended Reading and Theoretical Influences
- Brookfield, S. D. and Preskill, S. Discussion as a Way of Teaching: Tools and Techniques for Democratic Classrooms.
- Kaner, S. Facilitator’s Guide to Participatory Decision-Making.
- Stone, D., Patton, B. and Heen, S. Difficult Conversations: How to Discuss What Matters Most.
- Council of Europe. Reference Framework of Competences for Democratic Culture.
- Council of Europe. Living with Controversy: Teaching Controversial Issues Through Education for Democratic Citizenship and Human Rights.
Completing the course
Evaluation, Recognition and Practical Information
Learning is supported throughout the week through participation, reflection, practical activities and constructive feedback.
Evaluation of Learning Outcomes
- Format
- Continuous assessment based on class participation, practical work and self-assessment.
- Criteria
- Active participation in discussions, reflection, collaborative activities and practical course tasks.
- Procedures
- Trainer observation, participant reflection, feedback and attendance.
Recognition of Learning Outcomes
- Conditions
- Attendance at a minimum of 80% of the course and active participation in the learning activities.
- Recognition
- Learning outcomes are recognised through participant reflection, trainer feedback and completion of the course activities.
- Documentation
- A Certificate of Attendance documenting the course title, dates, venue and learning outcomes.
Learning approach
Practical, Collaborative and Learner-Centred
The course combines hands-on workshops, real-world examples, simulations, guided reflection and collaborative activities. Participants exchange good practices, work in international groups and develop ideas that can be adapted to their own professional context.
Optional cultural, social and networking activities support local engagement, intercultural learning and professional collaboration.
Before you travel
Practical Details
Duration
One week, normally comprising 25 academic hours.
Weekly Schedule
Classes take place from Monday to Friday, in the morning or afternoon. Saturday is reserved for cultural activities.
Final Timetable
The detailed timetable will be sent at least two weeks before the beginning of the course.
Preparation
No special preparation is required unless stated in the course programme. Any required materials or equipment will be communicated before the course.
Certification
Participants who meet the attendance requirements receive a Certificate of Attendance.
Course Fee
The standard fee is €480. See what the course fee includes.
Alternative arrangements: Other course durations and schedules may be arranged on request.
Erasmus+ funding: Course fees and mobility costs may be supported through an eligible sending organisation's Erasmus+ grant. Eligibility and final funding decisions remain with the beneficiary organisation and its National Agency. Read our Erasmus+ KA1 funding guide.
Administrative support: Understanding Academy provides course programmes, learning outcomes, registration documentation and certificates. Participants and sending organisations remain responsible for transport, accommodation and grant management.
Plan your Erasmus+ mobility
Ready to Join This Course?
Check the upcoming confirmed dates or register your interest. We will contact you with information about availability and the next steps.
Need funding information? Read our Erasmus+ KA1 funding guide.