Overview

Communication and social skills play a key role in personal and academic success. Clear and concise communication enable students to navigate social interactions, build relationships, and effectively communicate their thoughts, ideas and feelings. However, many students have difficulty developing these skills and it can affect their overall well-being and academic performance. This course offers participants the opportunity to explore effective approaches to teaching communication and social skills; and in empowering students to succeed socially and academically.

This 6-day course is designed to provide educators with the knowledge, tools, and strategies necessary to help students develop their communication and social skills. Educators will also gain practical guidelines for integrating activities and implementing programmes across the areas of curriculum and school life. Discussions, site visits and group work will enrich sharing ideas and exchange of practice between participants. There is also the possibility to extend the course to 7-day.

Objectives

During the course, participants will:
• explore methods for identifying and addressing the social and communication needs of students
• recognize the importance of group dynamic, learning style and active listening in develop-ing social and communication skills; and learn strategies to manage them effectively
• examine innovative approaches to develop communicative and social skills; and to over-come communication barriers
• practice tools for more effective communication that motivate different personality types
• learn practical tools for identifying and improving unsupportive behaviours
• examine ICT, AI tools and digital resources to enhance social and communication skills
• engage in cross-cultural dialogue, exchange ideas and experiences with educators from dif-ferent countries
• visit sites, museums and monuments in Cyprus and plan activities/ programmes.

Methodology

The working methods that are used are highly practical and participatory. The experiential method is used to encourage the search for contemporary pedagogical theories and teaching approaches. The hands-on approach is used to examine real examples, case studies, surveys and simulations. The group activities foster mutual learning, cooperation and collaboration between participants. The discussions encourage sharing ideas, intercultural dialogue and the exchange of good practices between the participants. Social, networking and cultural activities give participants the opportunity to establish professional cooperation and links with teachers, staff, schools and organisations in Europe. At the end of the course, participants fill in an e-questionnaire for evaluation.

Preparation

After confirming registration, participants will be informed about the details of the course (arrival, daily programme). Participants will be able to introduce themselves and bring a few examples of routines and practices that they apply to their teaching.

Course Schedule

DAY 1

• Introduction
• Overview of the social and communication skills.
• Communication barriers.
• Activities for team building.
• Establishing expectations and rules.
• Methods for identifying and addressing students’ social and communication needs.

DAY 2

• Innovative approaches to develop communicative and social skills
• Visit to Limassol historical center, Carob Mill Museum, Medieval Castle & Museum and other monuments
• Doing activities in the city center
• Data collection for the group work.

DAY 3

• The importance of group dynamic, learning style and active listening in communication.
• Controlling group dynamic, learning style and active listening.
• Tools for more effective communication.
• Motivating different personality types.
• Tools for identifying and improving unsupportive behaviours.
• Building trust & self-esteem.

DAY 4

• Developing social skills
  -Understanding social rules
  -Using correct body language
  -Using appropriate language
  -Using empathy
  -Controlling interactions

DAY 5

• Developing social skills
  -media literacy and ethics
  -global awareness
• Activities that enhance the sense of belonging.
• Visit at the Limassol Archaeological Museum. Activities in the museum.
• Visit at Municipal Garden.
• Data collection for group work..

DAY 6

• Encouraging discussions, dialogues and debates.
• Participants complete the group work.
• Presentation of group work, review of the course, certificates.

DAY 7 (optional)

• TOUR TO PAPHOS TOWN
  It includes a tour with 5-stops (9:00 am- 5:00 pm)
  • Tomb of the kings
  • Catacomb of Agia Solomoni
  • Paphos Archaeological Park with Roman mosaics
  • Paphos Medieval Castle and port
  • Petra tou Romiou (birthplace of Aphrodite).

Courses Fees

480 euro (6-day) & 560 euro (7-day)

Offers on request for longer trainings.

Sessions

• 19.10.2024 – 24.10.2024
• 23.11.2024 – 28.11.2024
• 14.12.2024 – 19.12.2024
• 11.01.2025 – 16.01.2025
• 15.02.2025 – 20.02.2025
• 05.04.2025 – 10.04.2025
• 24.05.2025 – 29.05.2025
• 12.07.2025 – 17.07.2025
• 20.09.2025 – 25.09.2025
• 08.11.2025 – 13.11.2025
• 13.12.2025 – 18.12.2025