Results

How do you build an open dialogue culture in which sensitive societal topics such as sexual identity or (de)colonization can be discussed constructively? As a teacher, do you respond to statements that radically contradict your own value framework? And is everything really open for discussion with your students?

Clashing opinions on sensitive societal issues are appearing more and more frequently in society and in the classroom. Research shows that a constructive dialogue about social issues increases students’ sense of belonging. Important cognitive and social skills are also practiced, such as suspending judgment or learning to deal with other perspectives in a tolerant way. These skills are important when students later have to find their way in our super-diverse society.

However, despite these advantages, in practice we notice that dialogue about sensitive topics is often avoided because teachers lack practical tools and are insufficiently trained.