Module 2/4 22 min
Three core skills
Step 1 / 3·The art of asking questions
0/3 steps done
Learning objectives — after this module you will:
- Ask open questions instead of closed ones
- Use listening and feedback techniques
- Manage group activities and time
Learn ~6 min
The art of asking questions
Turn questions into a tool for opening thinking.
Questions are a facilitator's number-one tool. CLOSED questions ('Clear?', 'Right?') usually get a meaningless nod. OPEN questions ('How would you handle it?', 'What makes this hard?') force learners to think and reveal.
A facilitator's open-question set
- Opening up: "What do you think about...?", "What's happening here?"
- Digging deeper: "Why do you think so?", "Can you give an example?"
- Broadening: "Does anyone see it differently?", "What about in another context?"
- Closing and applying: "So what principle do we draw?", "How will you use this?"
The power of silence
After asking, stay SILENT counting to 5–7 seconds. New facilitators often panic and answer themselves after 2 seconds — killing the whole room's chance to think. That uncomfortable silence is exactly when the learners' brains are working.
Key takeaway: Open questions force thinking; after asking, be silent for 5–7 seconds to let them think.