Description
Speaking and Listening Assembly
Speaking and Listening Assembly. A cynic might take the message behind this script to be ‘throw away that mobile phone!’ …. start talking and listening to each other. But that would, I know, please some whilst annoying others (… but I’ll leave it in anyway!)
This is an assembly attempting to offer a balanced view of the advantages of technology versus its disadvantages in terms of the impact things like mobile phones are having on ‘direct communication’ – trying not to harp on too much about the obvious disadvantage of disturbing the peace and quiet we all seek! (That’s where the monks come in!)
It’s a mixture of light and serious moments – with the normal injection of fun and, in this case, rather ‘obscure’ (make that, dated?!) music suggestions.
Cast of 30 – easily adaptable up or down. Duration: 15 – 20 minutes not including music suggestions, but this could be reduced with the omission of poetry suggestions.
Speaking and Listening Assembly. Sample Text
Monk 4: Oh! I’m so sorry! For making you jump and making you feel awkward. But tell me. What is it you find awkward about silence?
Narrator: Well, I, er ..
Monk 4: (Patiently) Yes?
Narrator: Well, now you come to mention it, I don’t know!
(Enter Monks 1 – 3)
Monk 1: Could it be that you are just so used to noise and bustle?
Monk 2: Could it be that everybody is always expected to have something to say?
Monk 3: Could it be that our society just doesn’t ‘do’ silence?
Narrator: (Excitedly) Yes, yes and yes! That’s just it! Silence is such a rare thing!
Monk 4: Aha! And all the more to be treasured, don’t you agree?
Narrator: Well, I suppose so. (Pauses) It is rather nice to have a bit of peace and quiet. Thank you.
(4 Monks nod and walk off)
Narrator: But of course there are times when we need to speak (pauses) and be listened to.
(Enter Elderly Lady and Elderly Gent)
Elderly Lady: Listening is a real skill!
Elderly Gent: And it’s not one many people have! No one listens to us.
Narrator: Oh I’m sure they do.
(Elderly Couple laugh)
Elderly Lady: You think so?
(Enter Silent Disco Dancers, dancing across stage, before exiting – ignoring everyone else)
Elderly Gent: You see?
(Enter Mobile Phone User 1, talking at the top of his voice, walking across stage and then back again, totally ignoring everyone, before exiting)
Elderly Lady: You see?
Narrator: Oh but they’re young!
(Enter I.T. Teacher with her head bent over a laptop – she also walks off without noticing the elderly couple)
Narrator: (To Elderly couple) You know what? It’s probably because everyone is so busy. They don’t have time to communicate anymore.
(Exit Elderly couple, shaking their heads)
Narrator: No wonder they look sad. Maybe all this technology has a downside after all. I mean, it’s one thing to be able to speak to people all over the world – but what if nobody is listening?