As educators, it is our responsibility to help students develop strong social skills that will enable them to succeed in various aspects of life. One important aspect of social-emotional learning is teaching students how to show interest in others’ conversations, even when they may not be particularly interested in the topic being discussed. In this blog post, we will explore a no-prep activity aimed at teaching high school students this valuable skill, along with discussion questions, related skills, and next steps for educators.

Introduction

Showing interest in others’ conversations is a crucial skill for building and maintaining strong relationships. By demonstrating that we are actively listening and engaging with the speaker, we can foster positive connections and encourage open communication. This skill is particularly important for high school students, as they navigate the complex social landscape of adolescence and begin to form lasting friendships and connections.

No-Prep Activity

One effective way to teach high school students the skill of showing interest in others’ conversations is through a simple role-playing activity. This activity requires no preparation or materials from the educator and can be easily incorporated into a classroom setting.

1. Divide the students into pairs.
2. Ask each student to think of a topic they are passionate about or have a strong interest in.
3. One student in each pair will start by talking about their chosen topic for two minutes, while the other student actively listens and engages with the speaker, even if they are not interested in the topic.
4. After two minutes, have the students switch roles, with the listener now talking about their chosen topic and the original speaker actively listening and engaging in the conversation.
5. Once both students have had a chance to speak and listen, bring the class back together for a group discussion about their experiences during the activity and the importance of showing interest in others’ conversations.

Discussion Questions

• How did it feel to talk about your chosen topic while the other person showed interest in the conversation?
• How did it feel to actively listen and engage with the speaker, even if you were not interested in the topic they were discussing?
• Why is it important to show interest in others’ conversations, even when we may not be particularly interested in the topic?
• How can showing interest in others’ conversations help build and maintain strong relationships?
• What strategies did you use to show interest in the conversation, even if the topic did not interest you?

Related Skills

Teaching high school students the skill of showing interest in others’ conversations is just one aspect of social-emotional learning. Other related skills that educators can focus on include:

• Active listening: Encouraging students to fully concentrate, understand, respond, and remember what is being said during a conversation.
• Empathy: Helping students understand and share the feelings of others, which can lead to stronger connections and more successful relationships.
• Effective communication: Teaching students how to clearly express their thoughts and feelings, as well as understand the thoughts and feelings of others.
• Conflict resolution: Equipping students with the tools and strategies needed to handle disagreements and resolve conflicts in a healthy and productive manner.

Next Steps

As educators, it is important that we continue to provide students with the tools and resources they need to develop strong social-emotional skills. If you’re interested in learning more about teaching high school students the skill of showing interest in others’ conversations, as well as other related skills, be sure to sign up for free sample materials at Everyday Speech. These resources can help you incorporate social-emotional learning principles into your classroom and support your students’ growth and development.