Why soft skills?
In today’s world, soft skills have taken center stage, permeating every aspect of our lives. The ability to sell your ideas, actively listen, collaborate effectively, manage stress, and make informed decisions is not only sought after in job postings and CVs but also essential for personal and professional success. As Artificial Intelligence continues to transform industries, these human-centered skills are becoming increasingly valuable.
Our program
As well as delivering the myriad benefits of the standard Speaking Skills projects, the Soft skills version of our full-immersion week is intended for students in the 3rd and 4th years of high school, and is designed to achieve several key objectives:
- Outline Soft Skills: We introduce and explore some of the most important soft skills.
- Self-Assessment: Participants have the opportunity to evaluate their own aptitude in these skills.
- Skill Development: Through targeted practice, students enhance their soft skills.
- Empower Autonomy: We equip participants with tools and techniques for continuous skill refinement.
Key Soft Skills covered?
During the 20hours of the course we will focus on the following abilities:
Communication
Speaking clearly, ascoltare, persuading and avoiding being manipulated, showing empathy, negotiation, public speaking, reading body language, story-telling, etc
Critical Thinking
Observing and analysing situations, making decisions based on information available.
Leadership
Motivation of self and others, stress management, conflict resolution, giving effective feedback and appraisals.
Methodology
Our projects prioritize conversation and speaking practice. Topics are introduced through presentations and discussions. Students delve deeper into each subject, honing their skills through communicative group and pair activities. These challenges not only develop competence but also encourage self-assessment and improvement.
Through these challenges, the participants will evaluate and hone their own skills.
An example of an activity.
Conflict resolution.
Studenti start with a conversation about their own experiences of frustration encountered during personal conflicts. This is followed by a brain-storming desirable outcomes from such conflicts and a discussion ensues as to the strategies best employed to resolve such conflicts in a way which suits everyone. The teacher sets out and demonstrates some widely accepted and research-backed techniques to resolve conflicts.
Equipted with the right tools, the participants carry out a series of role-plays of conflicts and will attempt to reach agreement which is acceptable for all.
Aside from being a great exercise in speaking and listening in English, the activity furnishes students with an invaluable skill which they can draw upon both in their work-life and personal life.