Colloquium Practice: Integrating Conflict Management Theory

On April 29, a seminar “Are you open to opposing viewpoints?” was held as a part of Colloquium Practice. Red Bushetara and Alina Budnikova, tutors at the School of Foreign Languages, shared their unusual experience of integrating conflict management theory and teaching writing skillswhen teaching how to write a “discuss both viewpoints and give your opinion” type of essay.

It should be noted that this event was the first “Colloquium Practice” and completely lived up to its name. The seminar was definitely practice-oriented and also very dynamic and active. The atmosphere was warm and friendly,witheveryone enthusiastically sharing their ideas, impressions, and opinions aboutthe example cases introduced by the speakers.
The hosts were able to present the concept of a conflict from a new perspective. They showed the participants that a conflict is not merely a ground for disputes or complaints, but can be used for a deeper analysis of interests, personalities, preferences, and motives of all the parties involved. The hosts depicted all aspects of conflict analysis through logical processes they had prepared and then shared with the participants. 
In addition, a conflict should be analysed and interpreted through the basic notions of conflict resolution studies that Alina and Red shared with the participants.
This technique is essentialin the process of planning and writing essays that often involve opposing opinions and require logical and coherentarguments to justify a certain point of view.
Not only did the participants learn something new during this seminar, but they also discovered a valuable technique for improving and personalisingclasses for their students.
The materials presented by the hosts will no doubt serve as the basis for many unique debates and essays in the future, with many participants specifically mentioning this in their feedback.

‘I would like to thank my colleagues Red and Alina for introducing me to “Colloquium Practice”. It was very interesting and informative. It was nice to see my colleagues turning on their cameras and participating in discussions. After all, teamwork is the engine ofprogress! Additional materials were sent to all participants, and I am sure they will help to improve the critical thinking skills of our students. I look forward to usingthe essay teaching technique proposed by the speakers. Thank you again! We will be waiting for our colleagues at future Colloquium+ seminars and lectures.’
Yulia Grevtseva, methodologist, SFL tutor

“Dear tutors!
I would like to thank both of you for deliveringsuch an informative seminar. It was a very refreshing format of groupwork and a valuable exchange of experience. As a future teacher, I found it particularly important and useful. I hope you will continue to honor us teachers who are striving for constant growth with more productive meetings. Best of luck to you!”
Anna Tsvetkova, FLaIC student (SFL)

Author: Elena Zyrianova