Exploring Soft Skills and Emotional Intelligence: Empowering Educators with Necessary Competences

In the constantly evolving world, the importance of soft skills cannot be overstated, especially in the field of education.. As educators ourselves, we understand the challenges modern teachers face in the learning process, aiming to achieve not only academic excellence, but also the emotional development of their students. Competencies such as emotional intelligence, empathy, teamwork, conflict resolution, and stress management are indispensable both within educational settings and in various aspects of life. Through a blend of theoretical insights and hands-on exercises, our participants gained valuable insights into enhancing their communication skills.
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The new edition of the course “Soft Skills and Emotional Intelligence for teachers and education staff​” took place in Bologna from 07/04/2024 to 13/04/2024. The participants came from all across Europe, with Maja, Pavlina and Lidija from SUGS High School ''Rade Jovchevski Korchagin' in North Macedonia in Skopje, Ismena and Aleksandra from City Libraries of Zagreb in Croatia, Christine from Werner-von-Siemens-Gymnasium Weißenburg in Germany, and Jolanta, Agnieszka and Krzysztof from X Liceum Ogolnoksztalcace w Białymstoku in Poland. 

The first topic we covered in the course was Emotional Intelligence. This term means understanding not only our own feelings but also how others feel, so we can better understand ourselves and the world around us. Another skill we worked on during this session was empathy. Through a series of exercises, participants learned how to practice empathy, control their emotions, stay motivated, and connect with others.

An effective educator embodies leadership within the classroom, as their main goal lies within motivating and guiding students toward specific objectives. Leadership manifests in diverse forms, each with varying effectiveness depending on the context. Consequently, participants had a dedicated activity to reflect on the key attributes of leaders they admire and to analyze different leadership styles.

​Effective communication stands out as a paramount skill for successful teamwork. Participants dedicated their focus to understanding various communication styles: aggressive, passive, passive-aggressive, and assertive, exploring them in practical exercises. One of the main insights became the realization that while demonstrating assertiveness may present challenges, it definitely entails effectively communicating their needs without resorting to impoliteness.
In order to improve their communication skills, the participants had to prepare their own presentation,  working on their public speaking skills. While improvising their speech in front of the audience, they acquired multiple  tips and tricks on how to effectively present themselves, how to control their body language and nonverbal communication.

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The last topic of this course was Conflict and stress management. Various situations may happen at the workplace, especially in the educational field, and navigating conflicts does not always appear straightforward. However, through open dialogue and sharing personal experiences, participants discovered that conflicts are commonplace and can serve as opportunities for growth and development, rather than solely bringing negative consequences, emotions and fall-outs.

​This course allowed participants to develop necessary competences for teaching in a modern environment, providing a platform for shared experiences and mutual learning. Each person bringing their unique background and experience ensured  the growth of the group as a whole. Moreover, cultural activities in the city, planned by our team, provided some networking opportunities, confirming the idea of informal learning happening outside the classroom! 
Discover more about this course here.

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