Teen-Talk! Instants!

This eclectic card-based resource offers an imaginative, structured and practical alternative to the ‘we need to talk about’ model widely used to initiate dialogue, particularly in response to specific issues. It reflects the experiences, environments and relationships which define many pupils’ lives in school, at home and in the community, ensuring that schools, teachers and support staff can respond ‘instantly’ to the issues that affect the well-being, safety and learning of young people.

The 12 'school' issues dealt with are:
• Teacher responses to classroom behaviour
• Good and bad behaviour in school
• Decision-making re truancy
• Relationships with teachers
• Consequences and outcomes of truancy
• Self-confidence in school
• Rewards and sanctions
• Teacher's roles
• Exclusion
• Influences re investment
• Required changes in the school experience
• Learning strengths and weaknesses.

Simple to use, the resource works by having pupils use the response cards in relation to the content of the text cards. For example, a text card might carry the word ’truanting’ and the young person must decide if this should be placed with the ‘good behaviour’ or ‘bad behaviour’ response card, to open up dialogue. The additional blank cards make discussion starters practically limitless. Durable and laminated, the cards are available in two versions, for 8-13 and 12-17 year olds, with bold and exciting graphics and text reflecting the intended age group.

Each card has a ‘game-like’ appearance and ‘instantly’ provides a non-threatening and engaging experience for pupils in both one-to-one and small group settings. The methodology offers a degree of visual stimulus, physical involvement and interactivity to ensure that visual, auditory and kinaesthetic learners are all involved.

Contents (Teen-Talk!): 12 x 20 text cards, 12 x 2/3 graphic response cards, 12 x user guide cards, 12 x 5 blank cards

Age: 13-17