Conversation as a Value in Education

In a world of informational noise and shortened messages, school can—and should—be a space where conversation regains its importance. It is not just a communication tool, but a foundation for building relationships, trust, critical thinking, and social skills.

How to Support a Culture of Dialogue in School

Amidst the noise and brevity of modern communication, schools must become places where conversation matters. It is not only about exchanging words, but about fostering relationships and social competence. More and more experts emphasize the need to cultivate a culture of dialogue in the teaching process. Our own research also confirms the importance of this educational direction (read more here). But how can we put this approach into everyday school practice?

What Does It Mean to See Conversation as a Value?

Conversation—understood not just as the exchange of information but as an act of mutual understanding—has become a value in its own right. Unlike the superficial and often polarizing exchanges on social media, real conversation requires attentiveness and a shared search for meaning. This means being able not only to articulate thoughts, but also to reshape them in interaction with others. These are the very skills needed for future-ready education: not only knowledge, but the ability to process it through human relationships.

Why Does School Need Conversation?

Conversation in education is not a trend—it’s a necessity. Students grow up in a world full of conflicting messages, pressure, and digital chaos. They need to learn how to navigate this reality, express opinions, and engage in constructive dialogue. These are key to both intellectual and emotional development.
A school that teaches conversation becomes a democratic space. Every student’s voice matters, and relationships are built on trust, not dominance. Such a school nurtures responsible citizenship and collaboration in a world that needs dialogue more than ever.

How to Bring Conversation into Everyday Teaching Practice?

Although it may seem challenging, teachers have many tools to naturally and consistently promote a culture of dialogue—regardless of the subject they teach.

1. Dialogue Circles
   
   Regular “talking circles,” where each student has time and space to speak calmly, help foster attentive listening and a sense of agency. Drawn from empathetic pedagogy, this method works well not only in homeroom settings but also in subject-specific discussions.
   
2. Group Work with Communication Tasks
   
   Activities requiring students to jointly prepare a presentation or position based on various sources encourage cooperation and reasoning. They help distinguish facts from opinions and promote respectful disagreement.
   
3. Analysis of Texts and Dialogue Scenarios
   
   Literature excerpts, film scenes, or real-life dialogues can serve as starting points for reflecting on communication dynamics: what was said, what was left unsaid, and how messages might be perceived differently. These exercises build both language and social skills.
   
4. Paraphrasing and Active Listening Exercises
   
   Students learn not only to speak but to confirm understanding. Asking, “Do I understand you correctly that…?” opens space for clarification, fosters cognitive humility, and builds bridges instead of walls.

What Tools Can Support Teachers?

One of today’s biggest challenges is lack of time and bureaucratic overload. That’s why clear and accessible solutions are essential.
Holistic Think Tank—an organization promoting values-based, humanistic education—is developing a digital platform to support teachers in implementing conversation as a core educational value.

The platform will include:

• Ready-to-use lesson plans for various subjects (e.g., math, geography, biology) that align with the national curriculum but also promote dialogue, collaboration, and reflection.
  
• Training materials and teaching inspiration.
  
• A professional community for sharing experiences among teachers and educators.

This project is based on HTT research conducted in 10 countries (2022), which resulted in a list of 10 values essential for future-oriented education. One of those values is conversation—understood as the foundation of shared learning and social living.

Conversation as an Act of Education

Bringing conversation into schools doesn’t require a revolution—just a conscious decision that what matters isn’t just test results, but how students acquire knowledge and resolve conflict.
Conversation is not a “nice-to-have” in education—it is its core, a tool for humanizing learning.

Want to Join a Community That Promotes Dialogue in Education?

Follow the work of Holistic Think Tank—we invite teachers to help co-create a new space for practice, reflection, and support.