Fishbowl Discussion

The fishbowl discussion is a participatory discussion method in which an inner circle speaks and an outer circle listens. Through an “empty chair”, participants from the outer circle can become active at any time. In this way, perspective-taking, active listening, and an equal exchange are practised. The method is particularly suitable for controversial topics, opinion formation, and as a democratic exercise in class councils or student councils.

Warm up

Questions to get started:

  1. Who among you has ever felt that they could not get a word in during a discussion?

  2. What does it feel like to only listen without speaking?

  3. What is better: letting many people speak at the same time or following clear rules? Why?

Sample answers:

– “I wanted to speak, but the others were louder.”
– “Listening is sometimes boring, but you understand more.”
– “Rules help, because otherwise chaos breaks out.”

Learn

Principle & process

Origin: from civic education, often conveyed by NGOs and state agencies for civic education.

Process: inner circle (4–6 people), outer circle (the rest), 1 rotating chair. Only the inner circle is allowed to speak. Anyone who wants to join from the outside sits on the empty chair; someone else must then leave the inner circle.

Didactic value: equality, discipline in speaking, perspective-taking, strengthening argumentative skills.

Research: According to studies in political youth education (e.g. state agencies for civic education, bpb), the fishbowl promotes democratic competence (active participation, respect, tolerance).

You can learn more about this

HERE

Done?

Prepare a controversial topic (e.g. “Should mobile phone use be allowed at school?”).
Facilitate a 30-minute fishbowl discussion with clear rules.

Dive in 1

Reflection & application

After the discussion: joint evaluation in the plenary.

Guiding questions:
◦ “Who felt heard?”
◦ “Were there fair opportunities?”
◦ “What was it like to only listen?”

• Transfer: Learners experience that listening and discussing are equally important → a basic attitude for democratic culture.

Task:

Have the group record the following on cards:

  1. What did I like?

  2. Where were there difficulties?

  3. What will I take with me for the next discussion?

Implementation in everyday practice

• Use the fishbowl in the class council when a conflict topic is being heatedly discussed.
• Regularly (e.g. every two months) conduct a fishbowl as a “democracy exercise”.

 

Transfer 1

Finally, take some time and answer the following questions for yourself:

• Which role do I usually take in discussions (facilitator, frequent speaker, listener)?
• How can I support learners in changing their position (from listening to speaking, from speaking to listening)?

Reflect

Reflect

Nimm dir abschließend Zeit und beantworte für dich folgene Fragen:

  • Welche Rolle nehme ich in Diskussionen meist ein (Moderator:in, Vielredner:in, Zuhörer:in)?

  • Wie kann ich Lernende unterstützen, ihre Position zu wechseln (von Zuhören zu Sprechen, von Sprechen zu Zuhören)?

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