Dialogical methods - Some reflections

One of our subjects in VET is on Dialogical methods. We in Brazil are kind of familiar with the theme, because our greatest pedagogist, Paulo Freire, wrote a lot about it. The Pedagogy of the Oppressed has Dialogical structure.

Nevertheless is really good to revisit the subject in another context and should I say with a stronger light than my previous encounters with it. Dialogical pedagogy is attached to emancipatory projects.

We have seen in the first meeting some basic concepts, e.g. comparison between dialogue and monologue and the importance of the values of the participants. A general pedagogical method, not restricted necessarily to vocational education.

The second meeting was mainly practical. We had the opportunity of exercising the role taking of talking and speaking. A special emphasis was given to ethical aspects of dialogue, such as the philanthropical attitude and respect required in it.

Because of my background I am most used to rational or discoursive approaches, linked to content. But it is interesting though focus in more practical features of it, such as body language, non verbal communication. The awareness about one Dialogical attitude develops doing these exercises.

I think that effective education has to be Dialogical. Therefore, effective teacher education too. Dialogical means a construction and composition of thought done by both parts in the dialogue. What's the point of the teacher hearing the students? What do the students have to talk if they don't know yet? The response depends if the concept of knowledge is Dialogical or monological. If traditional education and society are monological, and the teachers were educated in that context, then to cope with Dialogical education implies reeducation.