As educators, our goal is to teach students the importance of connecting with others through meaningful conversations. One way to do this is by encouraging them to talk about topics that are of interest to the people they’re engaging with. In this blog post, we’ll explore a no-prep activity that helps students practice this skill, along with discussion questions and related skills to enhance their social-emotional learning.

Introduction

When it comes to conversations, it’s crucial for students to learn how to talk about things that interest others. This skill not only helps them build stronger connections but also fosters a sense of empathy and understanding. By paying attention to the preferences and interests of their friends, students can become more thoughtful and engaging conversationalists. This post will provide educators with an activity and resources to help students develop this essential skill.

No-Prep Activity

Here’s a simple, no-prep activity to help students practice talking about things that interest others:

1. Divide students into pairs or small groups.
2. Ask each student to observe their partner(s) and find at least two clues about their interests. These clues can be based on their clothing, accessories, or items they have with them (e.g., a notebook with a favorite TV show character, a t-shirt from a vacation spot, etc.).
3. After a few minutes, have students take turns sharing their observations and discussing the interests they’ve identified.
4. Encourage students to ask their partner(s) questions about the interests they’ve discovered to promote further conversation.

This activity provides a fun and engaging way for students to practice observing others and identifying topics they might enjoy discussing.

Discussion Questions

After completing the activity, use these discussion questions to stimulate further conversation and reflection:

1. How did it feel to talk about something that interests your partner? How do you think it made them feel?
2. Why is it important to pay attention to the interests of others during conversations?
3. What strategies can you use to identify the interests of others when you don’t have any visible clues to work with?
4. How can focusing on the interests of others help you build stronger connections and friendships?
5. Can you think of a time when someone showed genuine interest in something you like? How did it make you feel?

Related Skills

When teaching students how to talk about things that interest others, consider incorporating these related skills:

• Active Listening: Encourage students to listen attentively and show genuine interest in what their conversation partner is saying.
• Empathy: Teach students how to put themselves in the shoes of others and understand their feelings and perspectives.
• Asking Open-Ended Questions: Help students learn how to ask questions that encourage further discussion and deepen their understanding of others’ interests.
• Nonverbal Communication: Show students how to use body language and facial expressions to convey their interest and engagement during conversations.

Next Steps

Ready to explore more resources to help your students improve their conversation skills and build stronger connections with others? Sign up for free samples of our social-emotional learning materials at Everyday Speech. You’ll find a wealth of activities, videos, and lesson plans designed to support your students’ growth in this essential area.