Active listening is a skill taught at communication trainings. Chitacle offers a workout: pair reading of a play by roles. Your line is only possible after your partner's — you really have to listen.
What active listening is
Active listening is hearing your partner not "formally," but with full engagement: content, intonation, pauses, what wasn't said. It's a basic skill for a psychologist, a negotiator, a host, a coach, a parent.
The main difficulty of active listening is not preparing your response while the partner is speaking. Ordinary communication is arranged so that half the time we're thinking "what will I say," not "what am I hearing."
How pair reading trains this
In pair reading of a play:
- The line is set in advance. Your next line is the author's text, not your improvisation.
- There's no point preparing an answer. It's already ready.
- The freed attention goes to your partner. You can really hear how their line sounds.
- The reaction in your reply matters. Say the next line as an answer to your partner's intonation.
This is a unique training situation: you're speaking, but not "your own," and so listening turns out cleaner than in an ordinary conversation.
Exercises that work
- Standard pair reading. The basic format.
- Reading with the task "listen to the pauses." Pay attention not only to the words but to the gaps.
- Reading with an echo. You repeat the partner's last word before saying your own line.
- Reading with "mirroring." Attuning your intonation to your partner's.
Who it helps
- Psychologists a workout for a professional skill.
- Communication trainers material for sessions.
- Negotiators listening practice outside a work load.
- Group facilitators for holding the group's attention.
- Parents of teenagers for restoring the skill of hearing.
- Any adult because almost everyone has stopped hearing.
How to use it
Request a selection of plays "for pair work" at chitacle.online@gmail.com. You can work with the same partner regularly — for systematic training.
Frequently asked questions
What is Chitacle?
An online theater for two: two people read an original play by roles over video call, right in the browser. 200+ original plays and monoplays — freely distributed under CC BY 4.0. Interface in five languages.
How do I get the play text as a file?
Write to chitacle.online@gmail.com with the play's title — we'll send you the file. You learn the title during your meeting in the theater.
On what terms can I use Chitacle plays?
All plays are freely distributed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0), perpetually and worldwide, with no rights claims. The only requirement — attribution to the author (Chitacle) and links to our resources.
Can I invite viewers to the meeting?
Yes, in all formats except instant matching. The viewer joins via a personal link. The same works for online supervision: a teacher, psychologist, or coach joins the student's or client's session as a viewer.
What languages does the interface support?
The Chitacle interface is in five languages: Русский · English · Español · العربية · 中文. The play repertoire is being translated and continues to grow.
How much does it cost?
Your first meeting is on us. After that — by individual meetings or a monthly subscription.
Legal side — Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0) license.
Chitacle plays are freely distributed perpetually and worldwide, with no rights claims. You may copy, distribute, perform on stage, create derivative works, and use commercially. The only condition — attribution to the author (Chitacle) and links to our resources.
Your first meeting is on us
Head to the Dressing Room at play-read.online and check the box.
Your first meeting is on us.
Enter the theaterChitacle now speaks five languages — Русский · English · Español · العربية · 中文.
We did it quietly, but properly.