Het diskussion och utmanande tystnad: Att lära sig att leda samtal om identitet, sexualitet och relationer

Abstract

In 2021, a new requirement for obtaining a teacher’s certificate was added to the Swedish Higher Education ordinance. Students must now demonstrate an ability to “communicate and reflect on issues regarding identity, sexuality and relationships”. Within a history course at Örebro University, we have developed an obligatory role-play exercise focused on verbal communication to help our students meet this requirement. In this article, we discuss how the verbal exercise can strengthen students’ competencies in leading group discussions on sensitive issues and develop their communicative abilities.  Like our students, we recognize the value of incorporating verbal, communicative exercises into the curriculum to a higher degree.