Let's Talk: Reciprocal Conversation Skills

Introduction & Warm-Up

1. Think about a time you had a really good conversation. What made it good? What did both people do?
   
   
   
   
2. Now, think about a conversation that didn't go so well. What happened? How did it feel?
   
   
   
   

Reflecting on Reciprocal Conversations

1. Why is it important for both people to contribute to a conversation, rather than just one person talking?
   
   
   
   
2. What are some non-verbal ways you can show someone you're interested in what they're saying?
   
   
   
   
3. What's the difference between asking a follow-up question and just changing the subject?
   
   
   
   
4. Can you think of a situation where having strong reciprocal conversation skills would be especially helpful (e.g., job interview, making new friends, resolving a conflict)? Explain why.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Conversation Practice Cards Activity

Instructions:

1. Cut out each card below.
2. Students will work in pairs or small groups.
3. Each group will draw a card and role-play a short conversation (3-5 minutes).
4. Focus on practicing:
   • Showing Interest: Use eye contact, nodding, and verbal affirmations.
   • Follow-Up Comments: Ask open-ended questions and make related statements.
5. After each role-play, discuss: What went well? What could be improved?

Card 1

Scenario: You just found out your friend got accepted into their dream summer program. Start a conversation with them.

Card 2

Scenario: A classmate is telling you about a really difficult test they just took. Listen and respond empathetically.

Card 3

Scenario: Your cousin is explaining a new hobby they picked up, like coding or painting. Show genuine curiosity.

Card 4

Scenario: A new student in your group is talking about their previous school. Ask questions to help them feel welcome and share more.

Card 5

Scenario: Your friend is excited about a concert they went to last night. Ask them about their experience and show enthusiasm.

Card 6

Scenario: A peer is expressing frustration about a team project. Listen and offer supportive follow-up comments.

Card 7

Scenario: You overhear two classmates discussing a recent news event. Join in and contribute with thoughtful questions.

Card 8

Scenario: Someone is telling a story about a funny experience they had. Show you're engaged and keep the story going with your responses.

Chat Like a Pro Script

Introduction & Warm-Up (5 minutes)

Teacher: "Good morning/afternoon, everyone! Welcome. Today, we're going to dive into something super important for all of us: how to have awesome conversations. We're going to learn how to 'Chat Like a Pro!'"

(Display Reciprocal Conversation Skills Slide Deck - Slide 1: 'Chat Like a Pro!')

Teacher: "Let's start by thinking about what makes a conversation great. Has anyone ever had a conversation that just flowed easily, where you felt really connected to the other person? What made it good?"

(Facilitate discussion using the first prompt from the Let's Talk: Discussion Guide. Allow 1-2 minutes for student responses.)

Teacher: "Now, on the flip side, has anyone ever been in a conversation where it felt awkward, or like you were doing all the talking, or maybe even like you were talking to a wall? How did that feel?"

(Facilitate discussion using the second prompt from the Let's Talk: Discussion Guide. Allow 1-2 minutes for student responses.)

(Display Reciprocal Conversation Skills Slide Deck - Slide 2: 'Conversations: A Two-Way Street')

Teacher: "Exactly! Great conversations are like a game of catch – they go back and forth. No one wants to play catch by themselves, right?"

Understanding Reciprocal Conversations (8 minutes)

(Display Reciprocal Conversation Skills Slide Deck - Slide 3: 'What Are Reciprocal Conversations?')

Teacher: "So, what we're talking about today is 'reciprocal conversation.' It's a fancy term, but it just means conversations where both people are actively participating, contributing, and responding to each other. It's not just one person talking while the other listens quietly. It's a true give-and-take."

Teacher: "Why do you think this 'give and take' is so important? How does it help build connections?"

(Allow brief student responses.)

(Display Reciprocal Conversation Skills Slide Deck - Slide 4: 'Show Some Interest! 👀')

Teacher: "One of the biggest ways we show we're engaged is by showing interest. Imagine someone is telling you a story, and you're looking at your phone or staring at the ceiling. How would that make them feel?"

(Allow brief student responses.)

Teacher: "Right? Not great! So, how do we show interest? There are two main ways: non-verbal and verbal cues."

Teacher: "Non-verbal cues are things you do without words: making eye contact – not staring them down, but looking at them, nodding your head to show you're following, having open body language, and maybe a small smile. These all tell the other person, 'I'm here, and I'm listening.'"

Teacher: "Verbal cues are the little things you say: 'Oh, really?', 'That's interesting!', 'Tell me more!' or simple affirmations like 'Uh-huh' or 'I see.' These are like little green lights telling the other person to keep going."

(Display Reciprocal Conversation Skills Slide Deck - Slide 5: 'Follow-Up Power! ✨')

Teacher: "Now, once they've said something, what's next? This is where 'follow-up comments' come in. These are super powerful because they prove you were actually listening and you want to know more."

Teacher: "Follow-up comments can be questions – open-ended questions are best, like 'What happened next?' or 'How did that make you feel?' Or they can be related statements, like 'That reminds me of when...' or 'I had a similar experience.' The key is that they connect directly to what the other person just said."

Teacher: "What should we try to avoid when making follow-up comments? Anyone?"

(Guide students to the idea of not changing the subject abruptly or making it all about themselves immediately.)

Practice Activity: Conversation Practice Cards (10 minutes)

(Display Reciprocal Conversation Skills Slide Deck - Slide 6: 'Let's Practice! 🗣️')

Teacher: "Alright, theory is great, but practice is where it really sticks! We're going to do an activity using these Conversation Practice Cards."

Teacher: "I'm going to divide you into pairs or small groups. Each group will pick a card, and that card will give you a scenario to start a conversation. Your job is to role-play that conversation, focusing on everything we just talked about: showing interest with your non-verbal and verbal cues, and making good follow-up questions and comments."

Teacher: "I'll be circulating to listen and provide feedback. After each mini-conversation, we'll take a moment to discuss what went well and what could be improved. Ready? Let's get into our groups."

(Divide students. Distribute Conversation Practice Cards. Monitor and provide feedback as students practice. Ensure they cycle through a few cards if time allows.)

Applying Skills: Follow-Up Fun Worksheet (5 minutes)

Teacher: "Great job with the practice! To solidify what we've learned, I have a quick Follow-Up Fun Worksheet for you. This will help you think about how to create good follow-up questions and comments in different situations."

(Distribute the Follow-Up Fun Worksheet. Allow students to work individually or in pairs. After a few minutes, briefly review a few answers as a class, addressing any common questions.)

Conclusion & Wrap-Up (2 minutes)

(Display Reciprocal Conversation Skills Slide Deck - Slide 7: 'Keep Chatting Like a Pro! 🚀')

Teacher: "Excellent work today, everyone! Let's quickly recap what we covered. Who can tell me one key thing they learned about reciprocal conversations or what makes them effective?"

(Call on a few students for quick takeaways.)

Teacher: "Remember, reciprocal conversation is a skill, and like any skill, it gets better with practice. Try to be mindful of showing interest and making thoughtful follow-up comments in your conversations this week. You'll be surprised how much of a difference it makes in building stronger connections with people."

Teacher: "Thanks for your participation! You're well on your way to 'Chatting Like a Pro!'"

Follow-Up Fun: Practicing Reciprocal Conversations

Name: ________________________

Instructions: Read each statement below. Then, write at least two different ways you could respond to show interest and keep the conversation going using follow-up questions or related comments.

Scenario 1

Friend: "I just finished reading this amazing sci-fi book, and I couldn't put it down!"

Your Response 1 (Follow-Up Question):

Your Response 2 (Related Comment):

Scenario 2

Classmate: "My family went hiking last weekend, and we saw the most incredible waterfall."

Your Response 1 (Follow-Up Question):

Your Response 2 (Related Comment):

Scenario 3

Teacher/Mentor: "I've been working on this community garden project, and it's really starting to take shape."

Your Response 1 (Follow-Up Question):

Your Response 2 (Related Comment):

Scenario 4

Peer: "I'm feeling kind of stressed about the upcoming exams. There's just so much to study."

Your Response 1 (Follow-Up Question, showing empathy):

Your Response 2 (Related Comment, offering support or shared experience):

Challenge Question:

Think about a recent conversation you had that felt one-sided. How could you have used a follow-up question or comment to make it more reciprocal?