Start a conversation ↗

Description

Moderating a Panel Debate: Framing the Exchanges, Prompting Answers and Managing Speaking Time

One day to keep a debate moving forward without letting a single speaker take over the room

  • 1 day — 7 h
  • In-person or virtual
  • Foundation
  • Up to 6 participants

A poorly moderated panel is easy to spot: one speaker monopolises the floor, two others wait their turn, the opening question has disappeared and the audience switches off. Without a clear framework and prepared follow-up questions, the moderator ends up simply passing the microphone around.

This 7-hour day focuses on leading a debate in front of an audience: briefing the panellists and building the running order, an opening that sets the ground rules, prompting and refocusing, managing speaking time, handling questions from the floor and closing the session. Each participant moderates a debate sequence in front of the group and receives feedback on their follow-up questions.

Learning objectives

  • Prepare a debate running order with an opening question and written follow-up questions
  • Set out the rules on timing and speaking turns during the opening
  • Prompt a panellist in order to obtain a precise answer to the question asked
  • Manage speaking time between panellists of differing seniority
  • Organise questions from the floor and filter out off-topic contributions

What makes this programme different

Each participant moderates a ten-minute debate sequence in front of the group
Panellists deliberately played as difficult: talkative, off-topic and silent
A set of follow-up questions written during the session and used in the final exercise

Programme

1Preparing the debate

Opening question, panellists and running order

  • Framing the question that structures the whole debate
  • Briefing panellists on the format and speaking times
  • Writing follow-up questions and transitions between sequences
  • Anticipating points of friction between panellists

2Leading the exchanges

Opening, prompting and refocusing

  • An opening that sets the topic, the framework and the rules
  • Following up on an evasive or overly general answer
  • Refocusing without embarrassing a panellist who strays off topic
  • Handling silence and the reticent panellist

3Managing time and closing

Speaking time, audience questions and closing

  • Allocating time between panellists of unequal seniority
  • Interrupting a panellist who overruns their time
  • Organising and filtering questions from the floor
  • A closing that summarises points of agreement and disagreement

Who is it for

Panel moderators · communication officers · in-house journalists and anyone required to lead a public debate.

Prerequisites

No prerequisites

Dates & locations

36 scheduled dates between November 2026 and December 2027. Seats are confirmed in the order enquiries are received.

November 2026

December 2026

January 2027

February 2027

March 2027

April 2027

May 2027

June 2027

September 2027

October 2027

November 2027

December 2027

None of these dates suit you? We open additional sessions on request, and any programme can be run privately for your team.

Practical details

Before the programme
Online positioning questionnaire. Your development objectives are shared with the trainer, who tailors the practical case studies to your context.
Teaching methods
Theoretical input, workshops and practical case studies. Digital course materials and method sheets provided.
Assessment
Multiple-choice tests and role-play exercises. Assessment of learning at the start and end of the programme, with immediate and 60-day follow-up evaluations.
After the programme
One year of access to the e-learning platform. Self-assessment of the skills acquired and a 30-day follow-up session with your trainer.
How to register
Registration online or on the basis of a quotation.
Lead time
11 working days after confirmation of registration.
Accessibility
Accessible to people of determination. Contact our accessibility coordinator to design a suitable solution: contact@mpf-academy.ae
Start dates
Rolling intake: in addition to the scheduled sessions, this programme can start on request.