Cultivating Emotional Intelligence: Empowering Educators for Transformative Learning Experiences

Course overview

This immersive 5-day course is designed to empower educators with essential soft skills and emotional intelligence, enabling them to create transformative learning experiences for their students. Participants will explore strategies to enhance teamwork, communication, leadership, conflict management, and public speaking abilities, fostering a positive and inclusive learning environment.

The course will delve into the five pillars of emotional intelligence, providing educators with a comprehensive understanding of self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills. Participants will learn how to cultivate these competencies, enabling them to navigate the complexities of the educational landscape with greater resilience and effectiveness.

Emphasis will be placed on developing practical skills through group exercises, role-plays, and simulations. Participants will have the opportunity to practice teamwork, conflict resolution, and communication techniques in a supportive and collaborative environment, receiving feedback and guidance from experienced facilitators.

The course will also explore Goleman’s leadership styles and the role of emotional intelligence in effective leadership. Participants will gain insights into fostering a sense of community, promoting teamwork, and nurturing a culture of belonging within their educational settings.

To enhance the learning experience and provide a cultural context, the course will incorporate a guided visit to a local museum, heritage site, or eco-conscious initiative. This visit will allow participants to explore the cultural richness of the area, draw inspiration from sustainable practices, and gain insights into incorporating inclusive and green dimensions into their teaching methodologies.

Tentative schedule:

Day 1: Foundations of emotional intelligence and soft skills

Icebreakers and networking activities
Introduction to the course and participants
Overview of the course methodology and expectations
Exploring the importance of soft skills in the educational context
Understanding the five pillars of emotional intelligence
Group discussions: Sharing personal experiences and challenges in the classroom

Day 2: Teamwork, leadership, and effective dynamics

Goleman’s leadership styles and the role of emotional intelligence
The importance of teamwork: Effective dynamics and roles
The key value of membership in education
Practical group work, role-plays, and simulations

Day 3: Communication and assertiveness

Discovering the impact of communication styles
Assertiveness as a key to effective communication
Learning to say “no” in a constructive manner
Cultural visit (e.g. museum, heritage site) guided in English to explore the local heritage and sustainability practices
Practical group work, role-plays, and simulations based on the cultural visit

Day 4: Public speaking and nonverbal communication

Learning to speak body language and mastering nonverbal communication
How to plan and deliver effective public speeches and presentations
Successful strategies for dealing with behavioral challenges in the educational environment
Practical group work, role-plays, and simulations

Day 5: Conflict management and course wrap-up

Changing perspectives: Is conflict always something negative?
The three keys to effective conflict management
The Thomas-Kilmann model: Five strategies for handling conflicts
Practical group work, role-plays, and simulations
Course evaluation and feedback
Certification ceremony

The classes typically run from 9 in the morning to 2 in the afternoon, with the afternoon and evening reserved for self-reflection and individual study. However, the course schedule may be adjusted to accommodate the preferences of the participants and the availability of instructors or external learning locations. Participants will receive the finalized schedule well in advance, allowing ample time for preparation and planning.

Learning outcomes:

The participants will be able to:

Analyze the importance of soft skills and emotional intelligence in creating transformative learning experiences for students.
Explain the five pillars of emotional intelligence (self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills) and their relevance in the educational context.
Develop strategies for effective teamwork, leadership, and fostering a sense of community within their educational settings.
Demonstrate assertive communication skills, including the ability to express themselves clearly and constructively.
Apply nonverbal communication techniques and public speaking strategies to deliver impactful presentations and speeches.
Implement conflict management strategies and utilize the Thomas-Kilmann model to handle conflicts effectively in the educational environment.
Collaborate with fellow educators to share best practices, strategies, and resources for cultivating emotional intelligence and soft skills.
Integrate cultural elements and inspiration from local heritage and sustainable practices into their teaching methodologies, promoting inclusive and environmentally conscious practices.
Develop a personalized action plan for continuous improvement in emotional intelligence and soft skills, fostering transformative learning experiences for their students.
Evaluate their own communication styles, leadership approaches, and conflict management strategies, identifying areas for growth and development.

Course fee:

400 euro per participant (covered entirely by the Erasmus grant)

Course fee includes:

At least 25 hours of course content;
Course materials;
Certificate of participation;
Europass, on request;
Learning / Mobility Agreement;
Visits to local institutions, if available;
Personalized support;
Free high-speed WIFI internet at the POU Čakovec premises;
Refreshments;
Administration costs;
Dissemination materials.

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