TASKs for democracy

Activity 33
Communication breakdown?
DESCRIPTION
Original activity contributed by Olena Styslavska
Focus: when teachers give young people the possibility to experience communication based on mutual
respect they not only promote students’ welfare, education and development, but also support the changes
that involve whole societies and make them fairer and truly democratic. This activity offers the opportunity
to reflect on the meaning of effective interpersonal communication in the context of EDC/HRE.
Target group: pre-/in-service teachers
Expected learning outcomes:
A_EPIST_2 Recognition of formal, non-formal and informal learning in a lifelong perspective
S_SELF_2 Ability to use a variety of languages and registers to express oneself with nuance
K_COOP_1 Understanding of the roles and functions of social and political actors
K_COOP_3 Understanding of how co-operation can support the prevention of conflict, discrimination
and violence
K_SELF_3 Knowledge about the relationship of self and group
Type of activity: Core/main activity
PROCEDURE
Step 1 (role play – whole group – 10 minutes)
1. Ask participants to divide in three groups. One group stands at one side of the room, another at the
opposite side and the third one in the middle of the room.
2. Give tasks to each group (Task sheet 1) and underline that it is important to not know the tasks of the
other groups and stick to the instructions.
3. Ask the groups to read their task and agree how they will do it (2 minutes).
4. Inform the groups that they have 3 minutes for the task and signal to them to start.
5. Check the results. Discuss the experience with the participants. Ask questions such as:
Did you manage to do the task?
Are you satisfied with the result?
What was difficult? How could it be done better?
6. Tell the participants that what they have just experienced may be used as a rough (and of course, exaggerated)
illustration of a communication process, in which Group A is a sender of information, Group B
is a receiver and Group C represents different barriers to communication. Provide a short description of
the communication process (Task sheet 2).
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