How important are soft skills?

​While academic learning is the foundation of education, more and more educators are recognising the importance of students' skills such as collaboration, self-discipline, and conflict resolution. These skills may be underestimated but are essential to a student's overall growth and development.
Our participants Adelina, Irina and Cristina from "Alexandru Ioan Cuza" National College, Romania, tested ''on their skin'', a series of practical activities that will come in handy for their teaching, and they are related to emotional intelligence.

This course took place in Palermo from 05/12/2022 to 16/12/2022 with a brief introduction to 21st-century skills: what we know, what we can do, and what we feel like doing. In addition to the required skills such as linguistic, scientific, and technological ones, the teachers analysed the concept of emotional intelligence that mainly focuses on empathy, communication, leadership, and mentoring. Through a series of activities, the participants were able to learn more about practising these skills and building a connection.

The activities were inspired by the studies of Daniel Goleman who states that organisations can be improved through better management of emotions. The wheel of emotions is a powerful tool for self-awareness and self-control that helps to understand others directly and honestly.

A teacher must be a leader, here the qualities and concept of leadership are discussed in an interesting debate with emphasis on non-verbal communication: body language is also relevant!
The leader should not exclude team members, communication is essential for teamwork. A passive or aggressive attitude must be avoided to promote an assertive approach.

Fundamental training is the one held regarding public speaking in which participants used the advice they learned to improve their exposure in public. Now they feel more secure and can handle conflict and stress better.
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In the course were taken into account cultural differences: Teachers shared their own stories and weaknesses making the environment more familiar and serene, making collaboration easier thanks to the presence of mutual trust.

Discover more about this course at https://www.erasmustrainingcourses.com/soft-skills-for-education-staff.htm