Uwe
I teach in a school where young adults are getting ready to start their careers.
In my classes, I try to create a culture where we experience Cooperative
Communication. This means for me a culture of openness and appreciation for
whatever feelings and thoughts we are carrying around inside us. For example,
I ask my students to tell me and their classmates what they want as topics that
we can explore together – I create the curriculum with their input. I also ask
them what they don’t want, and I take them seriously. In terms of emotions: I
share my feelings and ask them to notice, and if they want to, to share their
feelings.
I try to create a classroom environment where they listen to, and
accept, each other’ feelings.
And when it comes to their opinions and beliefs, I encourage them to share
whatever they are thinking. This can be a challenge for them and for me,
because they are a very diverse group, with different political and religious and
cultural backgrounds. But if we can create a culture of listening, accepting, and
appreciating, then we can share these differences and learn from each other. I
often team teach with a female colleague, and we sometimes talk about our
differences as man and woman in the class. The students appreciate how open
we are with them.
Where I struggle sometimes to use and live Cooperative Communication is at
home with my family. Although I try to be open and appreciative with my son
and daughter and wife, I sometimes fall into old stereotypes as a man, a father,
and a husband. I get into arguments about who is right and wrong, I think I
know better, I don’t listen to their feelings but instead react with my own
feelings. It is hard work sometimes to use Cooperative Communication at
home, and yet, when I can use it, then I feel more “at home” with me and with
them.