I guess we’re all familiar with the expectant, slightly tense atmosphere at the beginning of a workshop or seminar. The participants are often unsure what exactly awaits them during the day(s) ahead. Perhaps they’re forming their first impressions of you as a trainer. If they don’t know each other yet, they may be wondering how they’ll get on with the other members of the group. Added to this, when they are attending a workshop in English, they could be worried whether their language skills are up to the task. So especially in this situation, providing a clear framework and agreeing on rules at the beginning creates a much-needed sense of direction and security.
You’ve spent so much time beforehand deciding on the best sequence for the material you want to present, the right moment for each activity, etc. Now it’s time to let the participants know what’s in store for them:
'So, what’s on the agenda for the next two days? Let me show you.'
'We’ve got a pretty tight schedule for the next two days. Here’s an overview of what we’ll be looking at.'
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