Split the group into teams of two. Ask teams to take 5 minutes to brainstorm words that if used during a conflict situation, they tend to escalate the conflict and complicates the situation further.
When the 5 minutes are over, ask each team in turn to share the words they came up with. Flip chart the responses. Ask the teams to take another 5 minutes to brainstorm the words they believe can do the exact opposite (words that help avoid or diffuse a conflict situation), once time is up, ask participants to share their responses, flip chart the responses.
Discuss further with the whole group the importance of language and the words we use while trying to resolve a conflict situation, ask questions like:
- Have you been in a conflict situation where words in the first round was used?
- What was the impact of these words on the situation?
- Have you been in a conflict situation where words in the second round was used?
- What was the impact of these words on the situation?
- Which was easier? Round one or round two?
