COMMUNICATION
The picture on the left shows a discussion of communication strategies (the masks we use) at a Wolf and Water workshop
There are many types of communication skills that are necessary in peacework: the ability to give simple clear directions and instructions, understanding body language, verbal and written reporting skills, listening skills, and last but not least empathic language skills.
Marshall E. Rosenberg has established the name "giraffe language" ("the language of the heart") for empathic communication and "jackal language" ("the language of the head") as its opposite. In our experience, no course facilitator or teacher should begin to teach communication skills without having first read about giraffe language and what this involves. You can read more here: http://www.psncc.org/compassionate_communication.html. Tip: if you would like to know even more, google "giraffe language", and you will get many hits!
Below you will find exercises on general language skills, body language and active listening. Note that a knowledge of the needs that lie behind the way people express themselves is also essential in good communication. You will find more about this together with exercises on empathic communication under the section on facilitating dialogue.
These exercises are Word files. To load the file down onto your computer, right click and choose "save target as".
(we thank Wolf and Water, Mediation Services Oslo, and Save the Children Norway for permission to use many of their exercises)
The activities are marked with colour codes according to the age group they are suited to:
 - Primary (6 -9 years)
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 - Middleschool (10 –13)
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 - Secondary (14-16)
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 - College (17+)
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General language skills:
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Drawing by instruction
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Effective for testing participants' skills at giving clear instructions.
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Squares and Triangles
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A test of the whole group's ability to organise themselves and communicate with their eyes shut!
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Feather to hen
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A test of the participant's ability to re-tell a story accurately, and awareness of the consequences of not doing so.
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Words for feelings
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No instructions for this one - it is self explanatory. Brainstorm: How many words can the paticipants/pupils find to express feelings? Divide into good, bad and neutral. Keep the list. You will need it later.
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4 words
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Increases the participants' knowledge of what makes good communication
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Body language exercises:
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Off the bus
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Promotes reflection about the body language we all use with complete strangers everyday.
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Zip Zap Bop
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A silly but fun exercise that promotes silent communication skills while ensuring that the group observe each other.
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First Impressions
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Promotes reflection about the subconcious evaluations we make about people from their appearance and body language.
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Jump Down
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Energising communication and cooperation exercise<
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Birthday Line
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A test of the whole group's ability to organise themselves without the use of words.
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Counting together
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Developes awareness skills of each others "readiness" to participate.
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Who is the leader?
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Promotes cooperation and concentration: the participants must observe each other carefully.
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Listening skills:
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Listening exercise
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Promotes reflection around what is good and what is bad listening.
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3 Minutes
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Develops passive listening skills. This exercise would be an introductory step before active listening.
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Listen or not
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Promotes understanding of the importance of the quality of the listening to the ease of the speaker's communication.
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Four levels of listening
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Promotes awareness of all the levels of listening and developes listening skills.
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Yes, and Then ...
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Promotes understanding of the importance of the listeners attitude to the quality of the speaker's communication. Develops active listening skills.
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