BJSW Advance Access originally published online on September 5, 2005
British Journal of Social Work 2007 37(4):681-694; doi:10.1093/bjsw/bch304
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Reflection as Dialogue
Nai Ming Tsang, B.Sc.(Hons.), Dip. S.W., M.Phil., Ph.D., M.Th., Visiting Fellow (former Associate Professor) at the Department of Applied Social Sciences, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, has been teaching social work subjects for over two decades. His understanding of social work is informed by social science as well as physical science, theology, and interest in drama and poetry. In recent years, he has devoted his attention to the study of pedagogical and epistemology issues in social work practice and education including topics such as ‘orality and literacy—relevance to social work practice’, and ‘dialectics in social work education’.
Correspondence to: Dr Nai Ming Tsang, Visiting Fellow Department of Applied Social Sciences, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hunghom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China. E-mail: ssnmtsa{at}polyu.edu.hk; or nmtsang{at}netvigator.com
Much attention has been given to the use of reflection in social work practice and education. The literature shows that reflective dialogue can take place individually or in small groups. In this paper, the concept of dialogue is examined further at the internal and external levels by referring to the works of Bakhtin and other related scholars. Two other concepts, phronesis by Aristotle and kairos by Isocrates, are used to provide further insights into understanding such processes. The relevance of internal and external dialogue to social work practice and education is discussed. The integrated use of internal and external dialogue facilitates a shift among different perspectives and brings into awareness the multiple voices of different parties. Such a broadened view can limit the misuse of professional authority and enable the social worker to give fuller expression to core social values such as respect, justice and equality.
Keywords: reflection, internal and external dialogue, phronesis, kairos
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