October 10th, 2009, Paris
From 9:30AM to 5:00PM
Icebreakers and Warm-ups for Intercultural Training
By Peter Isackson (NLM)
and
Richard Pineault (Improvisades)
The success of any training session is influenced by how it begins and how a sense of connection can be created within groups of learners. Effective icebreakers ensure an active engagement and a stronger sense of sharing among learners, mak ing it possible to exploit group dynamics and the social side of learning. This is never more appropriate than in intercultural training, which is all about finding ways to understand and establish a relationship with the Other as well as creating bridges where chasms formerly existed.
This workshop will combine extensive practical experimentation (learning by doing!) with analysis by the group of the purpose and effect of icebreakers for intercultural training. The entire day will be organised around the variety of techniques, messages, metaphors and effects that can help to structure work with different types of groups on intercultural themes.
The work plan for the day is:
Presentations (icebreakers for a group of interculturalists)
“Warming up”: the metaphor of breaking the ice
Exploring the metaphor through improvisational activities
Analy zing the impact and gauging the purpose
Experimenting a variety of icebreakers and discovery activities
Playing the game
Exploring the feelings and results
Dealing with specific cases
Identifying typical and atypical group profiles
Choosing and experimenting icebreaker techniques for the case studies
“Cooling down”: feedback and conclusions
Strategies and guidelines
Capitalizing on the experience
Peter Isackson was born in the U.S.A. and has both US and French nationality. He did his undergraduate studies at UCLA (BA) and post-graduate work (B Phil) at Oxford University. He has worked in France for over 30 years as a language and intercultural consultant, trainer and coach, a trainer of trainers, a pioneer in the use of multimedia in training, an author, producer and publisher of a wide range of multimedia and e-learning products for his own companies (as CEO of Interaxis and Confluence Multimedia) and in collaboration with various publishers: BBC, Heinemann, Macmillan, EuroTalk, ILT, etc. The subject matter has included foreign languages, intercultural skills, team management, professional communication and even… helicopter maintenance! Since the beginning of his career he has focused on strategies that aim less at instilling knowledge than transforming identity and effective behavior, seen as the key elements of any learning process. This approach includes using a variety of techniques derived from theatrical training (corporal expression, mime, role play), music (rhythm, synchronization, melodic coherence) and extends to interactive video designed for these same purposes.
Richard Pineault, is a French actor, creator and producer of improvisational theatre shows and events. Richard is an experienced trainer in the field of communication, personal development and management. For over 10 years he has successfully applied theatrical improvisation techniques in numerous organisations in France and Europe.
Co-author of " « Tout sur l’impro » éditions de la Voute-Pleiades 2004, « Mieux communiquer en entreprise grâce à l’improvisation theatrale » editions ESF 2006 and the « Guide du management » RETZ 2007 editions.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Address:
Maisons des Associations, Paris
101 rue Rambuteau,
Forum des Halles (1er)
métro Les Halles, Châtelet Les Halles (RER)
Fees:
70 euros for SIETAR members,
120 euros for non members,
50 euros for students (<26 years old) – Please provide any evidence.
How to pay:
-by check drawn on a French bank sent to the office
-by bank transfer. Please contact the office for instructions.
For Further information or help with registration, please contact:
# Christine Longe if you have administrative questions.
Email : secretariat@sietar-france.org
Phone: +33 4 93 93 36 59
# Laurence Sicot (President of SIETAR France if you have questions about the workshop itself.
Phone: +33 6 08 99 77 82