Mastering effective communication and public speaking

​Soft skills are increasingly important in both professional and everyday life. Skills like emotional intelligence, empathy, teamwork, and managing conflict and stress are crucial everywhere, from classrooms to workplaces. Through a mix of theory and practice, our participants have learned how to enhance their communication abilities. Moreover they also practiced and learned how to master public speaking by learning how to effectively structure and plan a speech or a presentation, how to listen and engage the audience and receive personalized feedback and advice based on your professional and personal needs.

The new edition of the course “Effective communication and public speaking” took place in Tenerife from 21/04/2024 to 04/05/2024. The participants Anna, Dorota, Jolanta, Małgorzata, Grażyna, Tomasz, Agnieszka, Leszek, Barbara and Beata came from Szkoła Podstawowa nr 1 w Pilicy in Poland.
The course began with the topic of communication. Effective communication is crucial in teamwork. The course highlighted different styles of communication—aggressive, passive, passive-aggressive, and assertive. Discussions helped participants understand that assertiveness is about clear, respectful communication, not rudeness.

​Going on with the course, we focused on Emotional Intelligence, which involves understanding both our own emotions and those of others to better comprehend ourselves and our environment. The session also covered empathy, teaching participants through exercises how to practice empathy, self-control, self-motivation, and how to build connections.

​To enhance communication skills, the course included a public speaking exercise. Participants learned tips on presenting themselves, controlling body language, and managing non-verbal cues. They also practiced by preparing and delivering a one-minute speech to boost their confidence. By learning better techniques of public speaking teachers not only boost their confidence but also can better engage their students. This engagement is crucial for motivating students and sparking their interest in the subject matter. Dynamic and persuasive presentations can foster an active learning environment where students are encouraged to participate and interact.

​Another skill that teachers learned to motivate students and turn on their curiosity towards the subject is learning and practicing creativity in their teaching methods. The creativity of a teacher is essential because it makes learning more interesting and effective for students, improves their academic performance, and keeps classes lively and flexible. As education keeps changing, the need for creative teachers will only increase, making it a key part of good teaching.

Overall, the course facilitated self-reflection and learning from diverse experiences, enhancing personal growth. The inclusion of cultural activities also emphasized that learning extends beyond the classroom, offering networking opportunities and a broader educational experience.
Discover more about this course here.