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0verview of the agenda

1. Welcome and introductions (15 min.)
2. Review of the agenda (10 min.)
3. Active listening exercise (20 min.)
4. What is a study circle (15 min.)
5. Practise study circle (1 hr. 40 min.)
   
   Break (30 min.)
   
   
6. Practise study circle (1 hr. 40 min)
7. Skills for effective discussion leadership (30 min.)
8. Leading study circles in your organization (20 min.)
9. Closing (20 min.)

Basic training program

Welcome and introductions (15 min.)

Welcome the participants and introduce yourself to the group, telling them at least as much about yourself as you expect them to tell you. Ask the participants to briefly introduce themselves in turn, referring to poster 1.

Review the training agenda (10 min.)

Present the goals for the training:

• To help participants understand first-hand how a study circle works and the role of the facilitator in making the study circle effective.
  
  
• To practise facilitating a study circle. This is the best way to learn how to do it and the way to identify the best facilitators.
  
  
• To present the training session so that it feels like the study circles they will do themselves.

Review the agenda of what will take place in the training session.

Ask for comments. - "Is there anything you would like to add to the training agenda?"

Active listening exercise (20 min.)

Introduce this exercise by explaining that it will provide the opportunity to practise one of the main skills used in study circles - respectful, active listening.

Explain that they will pair olT with someone they do not know well, that one person will talk for three minutes straight about a topic, responding to the posted (2) questions, and that the other listens. Then the partners will reverse roles.

Explain that the task for each listener is to give full attention to the talker and to say as little as possible. The listener demonstrates active listening through body language, eye contact and short phrases ("uh huh","I see", "yes").

Discussion

After the exercise, talk about it with the full group, asking for reactions to the exercise.

• What was it like to be really listened to?
• What was it like to focus completely on what someone is saying without thinking about how you would respond?
• How did your partner show that he or she was listening.
• Were there any problems?
• Did it feel natural or contrived?

Close this exercise by reminding participants that listening well and active listening are crucial skills for effective study circle participation and leadership.

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What is a study circle? (15 min.)

Review the basic definition of a study circle briefly.

Ask the participants about their previous experiences with discussions. How were they similar to or different from a study circle?

Practise study circle (1 hr. 40 min.)

This part of the training program gives everyone the chance to participate in a study circle led by an experienced facilitator, and to observe and evaluate the facilitator's role. Even though this will be an practise study circle session it should be a real discussion of an issue.

Explain that each person is expected to be both a participant in the discussion and an observer of the study circle process.

Choose a topic from the suggestions you have prepared and take a few minutes to read the discussion materials.

The practise study circle

• The experienced facilitator leads the discussion for about 30 minutes.
  
  
• Follow with about 5 minutes ofcritique. Make brief remarks about your performance and ask the participants to discuss it using the questions that have been posted.(3)
  
  
• The participants volunteer to carry on, picking up the discussion where it left off, asking a question or two to get it going. If the material lays out specific views on the issue, it will work well for each practise leader to lead the discussion of one of the views. Each practise leader leads for about 15 minutes with as little interference as possible. Do offer suggestions when it would help. Distance yourself from the discussion even if it is slow, and concentrate on helping the practise leader.
  
  
• Folllow with a 5 minute critique. Be positive, pointing out the good qualities of the performance before identifying the weak areas. The person who led the discussion should be invited to critique his or her own performance first. The rest of the group goes second. The experienced facilitator goes last.

BREAK

Practise study circle (1 hr. 40 min.)

• Carry on with the practising until all participants have had their turn.
  
  
• At the end, spend about 10 minutes facilitating a discussion of the practise study circle, by asking for final questions and comments.

Skills for effective discussion leadership (30 min.)

The participants should have read the handouts and be prepared for a discussion of e:ffective facilitation and potential problems. Instead of being the "answer person" ask group members to share their experiences and ideas about handling difficulties. Use the posted questions (4) to guide the discussion.

Leading study circles in your organization (20 min.)

Use the posted questions (5) to give participants the opportunity to ask questions and to express the enthusiasm that has been generated during the training. Explain organizing tasks and ensure that everyone has all the handouts they need to set up and run a study circle program.

Closing and evaluation (20 min.)

Thank the participants for attending and for their contributions to the success of the program. Ask them to fill out an evaluation form and give it to you before they leave.

If you are doing a longer training program it could be helpful to get a good discussion going and carry it from session to session. The group can then concentrate more on the facilitating and less on how to address a new topic of discussion.