mondakörs

Mondakörs is a group discussion format used in education, social work, and therapy that centers on a mondakör, or “speaking circle.” The circle emphasizes turn-taking speaking and attentive listening within a safe, informal setting. The term comes from Hungarian: mond (to say) and kör (circle). In practice, participants arranged in a circle share their thoughts, stories, or reflections on a given prompt, one person speaking at a time, often with a talking object or token that is passed to designate the speaker. A facilitator or moderator usually outlines rules, allocates time per turn, and may provide prompts or themes. Confidentiality and respect are common guidelines.

Mondakörs is used to develop communication skills, social bonding, and reflective thinking. It is applied in classrooms to practice language or oral presentations, in youth or community programs to foster inclusion, and in counseling or group-therapy contexts to build trust and reduce hierarchical distance. Variants range from free-flow storytelling to structured prompts, with some formats emphasizing personal narratives and others focusing on problem-solving or feedback.

Limitations include the need for skilled facilitation, potential anxiety for reticent participants, and time requirements. Critics may point to limited reach or superficial engagement if not well facilitated. See also: talking circle, circle time, group facilitation.