11/14 (Sat.) The Power of Language (Host: Kat)
發表於 : 週一 11月 09, 2020 11:36 pm
Dear friends,
It'd be an understatement to say that it has been a year of compounding crises and bitter conflicts across the globe, and the prevailing feeling is that divisions are hardening and growing, that it’s getting that much harder to engage people who we perceive to be on the “wrong” side of issues.
A study that came out last year found that more than 40 percent of Americans see those who belong to a different political party as “downright evil.”
Not just misinformed or misguided, but evil. It’s hard to see how a society—and in fact, the world—can come together when people start to demonize and vilify anyone who happens to disagree with them.
So for this meeting I’d like to explore the power of language, dialogue and empathy to build bridges that help us hear and listen to each other. To open our hearts and find common grounds. To be okay to change our minds.
We’ll try various discussion formats and games to spice up our discussion!
“It takes two to speak the truth - one to speak and another to hear.”
― Henry David Thoreau (梭羅)
We may use some of the ideas from the videos below for our discussion. "The language of being human" has to be one of the most poignant and profound TED talks I’ve come across:
The language of being human | Poet Ali
The "Privilege Walk" exercise has been widely used to start a conversation on social justice. Here's one example.
What Is Privilege?
Agenda:
3:45 ~ 4:00pm Greetings & Free Talk / Ordering Beverage or Meal / Getting Newcomer’s Information
4:00 ~ 4:10pm Opening Remarks / Newcomer’s Self-introduction / Grouping
(Session I)
4:10 ~ 4:50pm Discussion Session (40 mins)
4:50 ~ 5:10pm Summarization (20 mins)
5:10 ~ 5:15pm Regrouping / Instruction Giving / Taking a 10 Minutes Break (Intermission)
(Session II)
5:15 ~ 5:55pm Discussion Session (40 mins)
6:00 ~ 6:20pm Summarization (20 mins)
6:20 ~ 6:30pm Concluding Remarks / Announcements
Meeting Date: As shown on the Subject Line
Meeting Time: 4:00pm – 6:30pm
Meeting Venue: 丹堤咖啡 Dante Coffee (Minimum Order $85)
Address: 台北市濟南路三段25號[MAP]-捷運忠孝新生站3號出口步行3分鐘
Important Notes:
1. We advise participants to print out the discussion questions and bring them to the meeting for reference. As for the supporting articles, feel free to print them out, as well, according to your preference.
2. We suggest that participants read the articles and think about the questions in advance.
3. Newcomers should prepare a two-to-three minute self-introduction in English to deliver when called upon by the host before the start of the discussion. The host may also ask you to give brief feedback about the meeting at the conclusion of the meeting.
4. We conduct the entire meeting in English. All participants should have at least moderate English-conversation skills and be able to articulate your ideas for each discussion question.
5. We welcome newcomers and other guests to attend the meetings and join the discussion freely for two times. After that, we hope you will consider becoming a YoYo English Club member. We charge a NT$1500 lifetime membership fee, or NT$1000 for students.
It'd be an understatement to say that it has been a year of compounding crises and bitter conflicts across the globe, and the prevailing feeling is that divisions are hardening and growing, that it’s getting that much harder to engage people who we perceive to be on the “wrong” side of issues.
A study that came out last year found that more than 40 percent of Americans see those who belong to a different political party as “downright evil.”
Not just misinformed or misguided, but evil. It’s hard to see how a society—and in fact, the world—can come together when people start to demonize and vilify anyone who happens to disagree with them.
So for this meeting I’d like to explore the power of language, dialogue and empathy to build bridges that help us hear and listen to each other. To open our hearts and find common grounds. To be okay to change our minds.
We’ll try various discussion formats and games to spice up our discussion!
“It takes two to speak the truth - one to speak and another to hear.”
― Henry David Thoreau (梭羅)
We may use some of the ideas from the videos below for our discussion. "The language of being human" has to be one of the most poignant and profound TED talks I’ve come across:
The language of being human | Poet Ali
The "Privilege Walk" exercise has been widely used to start a conversation on social justice. Here's one example.
What Is Privilege?
Agenda:
3:45 ~ 4:00pm Greetings & Free Talk / Ordering Beverage or Meal / Getting Newcomer’s Information
4:00 ~ 4:10pm Opening Remarks / Newcomer’s Self-introduction / Grouping
(Session I)
4:10 ~ 4:50pm Discussion Session (40 mins)
4:50 ~ 5:10pm Summarization (20 mins)
5:10 ~ 5:15pm Regrouping / Instruction Giving / Taking a 10 Minutes Break (Intermission)
(Session II)
5:15 ~ 5:55pm Discussion Session (40 mins)
6:00 ~ 6:20pm Summarization (20 mins)
6:20 ~ 6:30pm Concluding Remarks / Announcements
Meeting Date: As shown on the Subject Line
Meeting Time: 4:00pm – 6:30pm
Meeting Venue: 丹堤咖啡 Dante Coffee (Minimum Order $85)
Address: 台北市濟南路三段25號[MAP]-捷運忠孝新生站3號出口步行3分鐘
Important Notes:
1. We advise participants to print out the discussion questions and bring them to the meeting for reference. As for the supporting articles, feel free to print them out, as well, according to your preference.
2. We suggest that participants read the articles and think about the questions in advance.
3. Newcomers should prepare a two-to-three minute self-introduction in English to deliver when called upon by the host before the start of the discussion. The host may also ask you to give brief feedback about the meeting at the conclusion of the meeting.
4. We conduct the entire meeting in English. All participants should have at least moderate English-conversation skills and be able to articulate your ideas for each discussion question.
5. We welcome newcomers and other guests to attend the meetings and join the discussion freely for two times. After that, we hope you will consider becoming a YoYo English Club member. We charge a NT$1500 lifetime membership fee, or NT$1000 for students.