Many teenagers today are academically capable but socially hesitant.
In the years following COVID, educators and youth workers have observed a marked change in how teenagers relate to one another:
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Reduced confidence in face-to-face communication, reluctance to speak in groups, and difficulty sustaining open conversation.
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Our discussion-based programs create structured, welcoming spaces where teenagers practice speaking, listening, and thinking together — often for the first time in years.
The Problem We Address
Across youth programs and schools, we repeatedly encounter the same challenges:​​
Teenagers who avoid speaking in groups, uncomfortability with disagreement, reduced attention span, social isolation, and a lack of confidence. These are not discipline problems, and they are not solved by more content delivery.
Discussion-based learning is uniquely suited to address them.
Our Approach
Our programs are built around structured, facilitator-led discussion. Students sit in a circle, read or listen to shared material, and are invited — never required — to speak.​​
For many students, this is their first experience of being taken seriously in a conversation — and of discovering that disagreement can be thoughtful rather than hostile.
How It Works
Programs typically meet weekly and are delivered on site at the partner organization.
Sessions combine shared reading, listening, or viewing with guided discussion. Facilitators participate as members of the conversation rather than authority figures. Students are encouraged to speak when ready, to listen attentively, and to engage one another directly.
Over time, students begin to:
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Speak more freely and clearly
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Listen more patiently
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Take intellectual risks
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Develop confidence in their own voices
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What We Need From Partner Sites
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Our programs are designed to be easy to host.
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Partner sites typically provide:
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a quiet room
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chairs arranged in a circle
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basic scheduling coordination
Once a program is running, preparation and administrative burden are minimal.
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Reading for Pleasure
​A practical, discussion-centered program focused on skills that students often lack when entering college: reading attentively, writing clearly, managing time and money, and participating confidently in academic discussion.
College Preparedness
​A practical, discussion-centered program focused on skills that students often lack when entering college: reading attentively, writing clearly, managing time and money, and participating confidently in academic discussion.
Socratic Seminar on Rap Music
​​A discussion-based program using contemporary rap music as a starting point for serious conversation. Designed for students who may not yet be confident readers, this program builds discussion skills, cultural analysis, and mutual respect through material students already care about.
Workshops
In addition to our multi-week programs, we offer focused workshops designed to introduce discussion-based learning or address specific student needs. Workshops can stand alone or serve as entry points into longer partnerships.
​College Preparedness Workshop
A practical workshop addressing core skills students often lack when entering college-level environments, including reading, writing, discussion, and academic habits.
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Socratic Dialogue & Discussion Skills
An introduction to discussion-based learning for students or staff, focused on listening, speaking, and engaging thoughtfully with others in a group setting.
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Why the Classics?
A workshop exploring the relevance of classical texts for contemporary life, and how serious reading and discussion can shape students’ thinking beyond the classroom.
What's Next?
We work closely with partner organizations to determine whether our programs are a good fit for their students and setting.
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We start by learning about the particular needs of the teenagers you serve.
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If you are interested in exploring a partnership, we invite you to begin with a conversation.