TEN TIPS TO GET TEENS TO TALK  

• Start with an icebreaker or fun, non-threatening questions.
• Begin with questions that ask for opinions (avoid questions that they can give a simple “yes” or “no” response to).
• Avoid questions, at least at first, with right or wrong answers.
• Begin with a role play or a case study rather than asking questions.
• Ask teens to write down their opinions or questions, collect them, then read them aloud, allowing anyone to respond.
• Occasionally group your small group into “share pairs” for discussions.
• Allow students to take turns asking questions or leading the discussion.
• Do an anonymous survey that allows answers to be given without revealing their sources (or allow them to anonymously write questions they want answers to).
• Brainstorm-listing ALL possible answers or opinions without regard to right or wrong, serious or not.
• Don’t answer questions for the group-rather, ask the group members themselves to give their answers or thoughts about a comment from a student.  You can add your thoughts at the end, or you can decide enough was said after the students share.