Learning to Listen, Learning to Teach
A course in Cluj, Romania, January 23-26, 2007

by Arthur Sarosi
Christian Foundation Diakonia
Cluj, Romania

Along with 17 other participants, I had the privilege of participating in the Learning to Listen, Learning to Teach course.  I went there without any specific expectation, except for the readiness to learn something important (as a ChristianReformed and World Relief Committee partner I was used to high quality training). So I dropped in.

It was a challenge for me to face dealing with groups of people with a complex and deep approach and system. For me, the Dialogue Education approach is much more than a teaching method; it is a way of understanding people better. I thought I was quite open and ready to understand people but during the course I realized that I was narrow and superficial. I also realized how unprepared and unskilled I was. Luckily I was not afraid to learn something new and the course taught me a lot about myself. I believe benefited greatly from the course and I have even had the opportunity to apply principles and practices of the course the week after the training.

The course was designed so that we should learn about ourselves, about and from each other and also about principles and methods as new information. It was rich indeed.

The training was credibly authentic due to the great integrity and professionalism of our trainers, Jeanette Romkema (The Global Learning Partners) and Jan Disselkoen (CRWRC). Their belief, commitment and trust in the method radiated during the training from how they carried out the activities to how they interacted with the group. My hope is that many people will experience the Vella method, and I hope to experience more from it myself. It will help to make a difference around us.

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