Appendix 4: Protocol Debrief
Protocol debrief (5-10 minutes)
After each listening deeply session, ask students a selection of the following questions to guide their overall reflection for five to ten minutes. Students can respond verbally or in their journals, though you’ll want to save time for students to share their reflections if they journal. Use the bolded questions if time runs short.
What was it like to only talk? What was it like to only listen for ___ minutes?
What elements of verbal and nonverbal communication did you notice?
How does it feel to be listened to fully? What does that look or feel like?
How does it feel when you’re not listened to? How does your behavior change?
How does it feel to listen poorly? What did that look like for you?
How does it feel to listen at your best? What did that look like for you?
What do you think gets in the way of good listening in your life? How could you change that?
What did you learn about your partner? What did you learn about yourself?
Do you think you’re getting better at listening/communicating?
Why do you think listening is important for empathy? How can we show we care about someone “just” by listening?
How can deep listening look different based on your different background, for example how your family communicates or expects others to behave?
Content developed by Making Caring Common, a project of the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
