Exploring the realm of soft skills and emotional intelligence

​Soft skills are increasingly significant in both professional and everyday life. Abilities like emotional intelligence, empathy, teamwork, and management of conflict and stress are crucial in various settings, including the classroom. Through a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical exercises, our participants improved their communication skills.

The new edition of the course “Soft Skills and Emotional Intelligence for teachers and education staff​” took place in Palermo from 28/07/2024 to 03/07/2024. The participants came from all across Europe, with Laura Peco González, Spain, from EOI Pozuelo de Alarcón; three participants from Poland: Teresa Sołoguba, Beata Jankowska-Kulesza, Monika Panasewicz from X Liceum Ogólnokształcące im.Wisławy Szymborskiej w Białymstoku; Séverine Dupuy and Carole Dannequin, CCIT Charente Maritime ACTORIA, from France; Martina Odstrčilová and Lenka Culková coming from Základní škola Heřmanův Městec, Czech Republic; Lena Elisabet Holmqvist Wall, Sweden, from Österslättsskolan. Then other participants: Krisztina Márta Petriné Sándor, Hungary, from Fóti Garay János Általános Iskola, Eliana Castro Sanguino, IES Puerta de Cuartos, Spain and Sergio García Rodes, IES Felipe de Borbón (Ceutí), from Spain.

The course began with a focus on Emotional Intelligence, which refers to the capacity to recognize and understand not only our own emotions but also those of others, fostering self-awareness and environmental awareness. Another important skill covered in this session was empathy. Through various exercises, participants learned how to practice empathy, enhance self-control, boost self-motivation, and establish meaningful connections.

Participants were encouraged to consider the key traits of leaders they admire and to reflect on different leadership styles. A good teacher also acts as an effective classroom leader, providing motivation and guidance to help students achieve specific goals. Leadership can manifest in various ways, though not all of the approaches are suitable for every situation.

Effective communication is crucial for teamwork. Participants examined various communication styles: aggressive, passive, passive-aggressive, and assertive. They learned that assertiveness, while sometimes challenging to practice, is key to expressing oneself clearly and respectfully. By exploring this topic, they understood that being assertive is about effectively conveying one's needs without being impolite.

To enhance their communication abilities, participants engaged in a public speaking exercise. They learned various techniques for self-presentation, body language control, and nonverbal communication. To build confidence, they prepared and delivered a brief one-minute speech to the class, applying the skills they had acquired.

The final topic of the course was Conflict and Stress Management. Participants recognized that working with others can be challenging, and handling conflicts isn't always simple. Through sharing their own experiences, they recognized that such situations are common and that conflicts can lead to positive outcomes, fostering growth and development.

This course provided participants with the opportunity to engage with one another and learn from their collective experiences. Each participant brought a unique background that contributed to the group's overall development. Additionally, the organized cultural activities facilitated networking, demonstrating that learning extends beyond the classroom.

Discover more about this course here.