Come to Terms With The Dialogue

Dialogue With RCS: Here are a half a dozen terms I have used to write of our dialogue groups

I have written a few words about each term to remind you of its meanings.

 

Assumptions:

                We have differing experiences and so differing opinions and assumptions.We have differing views because of who we are. We often come to interpret our worlds differently from one another. We develop conscious and unconscious ideas about the ways of the world which are difficult for others to understand until they know more of our experiences.

Defending:

             Without the abundance of shared cultural meanings good dialogue brings, it is unreasonable to expect a peaceful society. Defending our own or another's opinions keeps us from laying out our assumptions were we can all look at them and try to appreciate their meanings  and so keepings from productive and satisfying dialogue we want an need. It is shared deeper meanings we seek. Also defending our assumptions consumes the energy we could better use to achieve a clear understanding  of the assumption of another.

Go-under:

Without good dialogue we are likely to miss opportunities and lose understanding s. We are likely to miss out on good positions, to go under and lose out as individuals, corporations, families, nations, churches, parties. The shared meaning we gain in good dialogue helps us , maintain, grow, and strengthen party, church, nation, family, corporation, and self.

Coherent:

             For many, an important benefit of dialogue practice is experiencing the power of collectively shared meaning. Most ordinary talk in in society may well be called incoherent. Our dialogue practice is designed to promote areas of  coherence in the vastness of misunderstanding. The meanings we share a cohesion of understanding.

Group:

             Fora truly effective dialogue of of sufficient variety of viewpoint A group of between 15 and 40 seems optimal. It is possible to do preparatory work with a dedicated, active organizing group of say nine may be adequate. A long lasting group with regular meetings is called for.

Thinking Together:

Is a frequent result of a dialogue group and ought perhaps be a aim of your group. We learn to stay close to the same page and to carry each other's thoughts forward. Individuals sharing common meanings in a coherent way have power for peace and creativity. Thinking together coherently calls for dialogue sustained  long enough to to share a body of coherent meanings. 

You strengthen culture, create it enjoy it, and pass it on. That's what this dialoging is about.



                                                                    by Richard for you

English Language Practice

Dialogue With RCS: We have called it a Magic Table dialogue group. It could be called a dialogue for peace. It can also be an English language dialogue.

                As an English Language practice group our dialogue is a very productive way to practice any level of English. The beginning learner has a focused, listening practice, a focused hearing practice, important steps to good pronunciation skills.  At the same time the beginner is getting contextual understanding practice.

                This practice group can be of considerable interest to a native speaker of English. Such an English speaker can learn fun, empowering, culture enhancing rules of Magic Table Dialogue. He, or she, can also learn dialogue for peace skills for dealing with and appreciating the assumptions and opinions very different from his own. She can also make friends with individuals of a language and culture from her own.

                A typical learner of English can build his or her word power by hearing targeted words in context. She also learns to hear the pronunciation, enunciation, and accent of a variety of English speakers. She will hear a number of persons each speak a given word in their own way. A learner may choose to listen for, say, pronunciation or she may choose to focus on contextual meaning. Practice is the main aim here.

                Each participant also has opportunities to speak and to be heard. A speaker will have his speech heard by a very interested group of listeners. A speaker will be closely listened to as she expresses herself.

                Our dialogue is not a substitute for your other language studies. It is very appropriate supplementary practice. In learning to speak a language appropriate practice is necessary.


What's in it for you?
~ You can learn dialogue skills and get great productive practice in the use of English.
~ You can improve your listening skills.
~ You can practice hearing and understanding what is said.
~ You can practice using English with a group of persons of importantly similar interests.
~ You can practice using a language other than your own.
~ You can improve your understanding of a people and a culture.
~ You can experience many people listening to you with interest.
~ You can get to know others well in a safe atmosphere. 
~ You can learn to be understood as you speak English.
~ You can learn to be better understood by a variety of English speakers.

I believe that you can come up with other advantages and benefits available to you in our program of practice.



                                                                                    by Richard

 

Find Out More About The Dialogue

 Dialogue With RCS: Its a group of us talking together in a better way

 

            Our dialogue practice is designed to create areas of coherence in the vastness of misunderstanding. Most ordinary talk in our society may be called incoherent.
Often a major benefit of our dialogue practice is to experience the power of collectively shared meaning.

            To learn learn our dialogue takes ongoing practice. This practice we have called The Dialogue, Dialogue For Peace, Magic Table Dialogue. 
 

            The dialogue has rules which call for practice to develop proficiency. The rules need not be rigid, but they do point to correct practice  which is important.

            The first practice may be called a listening practice, but it calls for use of voice, as well as ears and mind.

             A result can be thinking together the dialogue is aimed at thinking together coherently. Thinking together coherently calls for sustained dialogue. Thinking together is both satisfying and the source of a great power. We believe that it is well worth the effort to practice. Thinking together is a learning and growth process. It occurs consciously and also on an unconscious level. It may be expected to take on a renewed honesty. Thinking together is a learning and growth process. It occurs consciously and also on an unconscious level. It may be expected to take on a renewed honesty.

            There were times and places when this kind of talk as common, but these days it is uncommon. I believe that it is urgent that we practice this sort of dialogue now. It is urgent that we practice a more effectively honest communication. By we, I mean everyone willing to practice the dialogue. This "we" is inclusive.

            There is much more to say and make clear about this dialogue, but I may have said enough here for now. There is a good deal more on this blog now and there is more on the way. 

            This blog is designed to be interactive and I am hoping to be reading and responding to your comments about the dialogue soon. Questions and requests count as comments. Check out the "comments' section its just below. Click on the word "comments" or on "no comments."

            Thanks for your visit and for reading.

 

 

                                                                                rcs

 

 

A Dialogue Practice Group

Dialogue With RCS: Your Dialogue Practice Group

                I do not have a dialogue pracice group, but I can still write about them.

                In the kind of dialogue practice I write of there is no agenda in the ordinary sense. The purpose is mostly the practice. The practice is the honest and just sharing of meaning and development of coherence.  The group practices  certain methods and skills for thinking together. So in the practice there are practically no decisions to make. However skills may be honed.

                So, the practice is not without purpose, it is to practice skills and learn rules of effective dialogue. I hope that you will come to see how this mere practice builds and supports our culture even as we listen and speak.

                Over time the practice can evolve and change form. They take forms suggested by names such as Dialogue for Peace and Magic Table Dialogue. What ever the the name the skills stay much the same. I have begun to outline and picture an example of a beginning group in action and hope to continue doing so. The typical group may look leaderless from the outside because leadership is so widely shared. The group doesn't stall because a leader doesn't show up.

                People around the world are practicing a similar dialogue. However, you are unlikely to find an active group near you.  So, to have a group, you may have to participate in making it. You will probably need to speak with another about the dialogue. If the two of you find a third you may have started a group. You can talk it over, maybe discussing what it is a why you are interested, what it means, how you can do it, and like that.
                    

                Take a good look around this blog.

    

                 More to come.


                                                                                    by Richard Sheehan

 

Practice English in a Dialogue Practice Group: ELGP

Dialogue Practice With RCS: Call it a Magic Table Dialogue Group. Call it a Dialogue For Peace group. Call it an English Language Practice Group.

                As an English Language Practice Group it can be easy enough to be practical and productive for a beginning learner; it can be enjoyable enough and culturally enhancing enough for a native speaker of English to keep her coming back; it is a focused practice of listening to, and hearing a variety of individuals speaking English. 

                So our "ELPG" helps a beginning learner to hear the sounds of English as he listens to a variety of speakers say a few sentences on a limited topic. He experiences a focused intensive listening practice. He also has opportunities to choose the topic. When he is taking English class elsewhere to he will see his learning exhilarate.

                This practice group can be of considerable interest to a native speaker. Such an English speaker can learn fun and empowering cultural enhancing rules of Magic Table Dialogue, she can also learn the Dialogue for Peace skills for dealing with and appreciating the assumptions and opinions perhaps very different from her own. She can also make friends with with individuals of a different language and culture than her own.

                The middle ground learner of English can build his own word power by hearing targeted words in context. He also learns hear the English of a variety of speakers rather than just the pronunciation and manner of speaking of the teacher. He will here a number of people speak a given word in their own way. Hearing and listening to this speech for, say, pronunciation and intonation is great language practice. This practice combined with hearing a  single word in a variety of sentences leads the learner into meaning and understanding in context. Practice is the main is the main aim here and listening is the principle practice. He will also get his turn by a very interested group of individual. He will say his few words. He will be listened to closely by the group.

                Our dialogue is not a substitute for other language studies. However, practice is super  important in learning a new language.

What's in it for you?
* You can improve your listening skills.   
* You can practice hearing what is said.
* You can practice using a language other than your own. 
* You can improve your understanding of language and people.
* You will be listened to.
* You will learn to understand a variety of English speakers.
* You will learn to be understood as you speak English.

                                                                                                               from Richard

Our Dialogue

Dialogue With RCS: About the Nature of Our Dialogue

 

                Our dialogue talk is designed to create areas of coherence in the vastness of misunderstanding. Often a major benefit of our dialogue is to give us a better chance to experience the power of collectively shared meaning which we have created. Most ordinary talk in our society may be called incoherent. To learn to do our dialogue talk, takes ongoing practice. This practice we have called Dialogue for Peace, Magic Table Dialogue, and just The Dialogue. The Dialogue has rules which call for practice. The rules need not be rigid, but they do call for practice which is important. 

                The Dialogue is aimed at learning to think together coherently. Thinking together coherently calls for sustained practice. An early practice may be called a listening practice, but calls for some use of your voice as well as of your ears and mind. Thinking together is both satisfying and a great power.  We believe that it is well worth the effort.

                This thinking together is a learning and growth process. It occurs on various levels of consciousness. It occurs in one, in mental talk to one's self, or even on unspoken levels. We could just say that a lot of learning goes on in dialogue our practice.

                Make comments below. I respect suggestions and am grateful for them.
Suggestions about how the dialogue might be done online can benefit us.
You may place whatever you have to say in the "Comment" area below anonymously, with a pen name, ot just your regular name.

                   Search this blog with one of the several avenues of search available here.

 

                                                                                                    RCS