All methods
FacilitationIntermediate

Open Questions – Role Play

This activity uses a literary extract to enhance communication skills through role play. Participants will practice using open questions, fostering active listening and observation skills in a collaborative setting.

Duration
5m–10m
Group size
4–12 people
CCBY-SA 4.0

How to run it

  1. 1

    Gather participants in a horseshoe or circular arrangement.

  2. 2

    Introduce the poem extract: 'I keep six honest serving-men (They taught me all I knew); Their names are What and Why and When And How and Where and Who.'

  3. 3

    Explain the significance of each question word as a tool for effective communication.

  4. 4

    Have participants pair up and role-play scenarios, focusing on asking open questions instead of closed ones.

  5. 5

    Rotate partners to maximize practice with different perspectives.

  6. 6

    Conclude with a group discussion on experiences and insights gained.

Tips

  • Encourage participants to take notes during the role-play.

  • Be prepared to facilitate and step in if discussions stall.

  • Promote an open atmosphere where all questions are welcomed.

Variations

Adjust the number of participants or include specific scenarios to target unique skills relevant to your training.

Where it fits

team developmentcommunication skills workshopcoaching sessionsinterview preparationassertiveness training

Related methods

🪡

Plan your next workshop with AI

Workshop Weaver helps you combine methods like Open Questions – Role Play into a complete, timed agenda in minutes.

Try it free

Method descriptions on Workshop Weaver are original content written by our team, based on established facilitation practices. This method was inspired by work from SessionLab. Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Open Questions – Role Play — Facilitation Method | Workshop Weaver