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Skills checklist

Key questions to ask yourself each time you lead a small group discussion to help you develop as a facilitator

2004 Available in English, French, Spanish and Portuguese

Photo: Isabel Carter/Tearfund

From: Facilitation skills – Footsteps 60

How to facilitate participatory learning effectively

Ask yourself these questions each time you lead a small group discussion. It will help you to assess the development of your skills in facilitation. Write down your answers and compare them over time.

  • Did I use icebreakers or energisers to help people relax?
  • Did I make sure everyone understood the questions and if necessary reword them?
  • Was I uncomfortable with silence while people thought about the answers?
  • How did I deal with someone who talked for a long time?
  • Did I listen to everyone’s responses?
  • How did I encourage quiet people to join in the discussion?
  • Did I make use of role play?
  • How did I deal with someone who always answered the questions before anyone else had a chance to speak?
  • How did I encourage useful points to be discussed further?
  • How did I cope when I didn’t under-stand the answers?
  • How did I cope when I felt people’s views were unhelpful?
  • How did I handle differences of opinion?
  • Did I bring the discussion to a satisfactory conclusion?
    How could I do this better?
     

 

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