Teen Social Skills: Empower, Connect & Communicate With a College Professor

🎉 NEW TO OUTSCHOOL? Look at my teacher profile for a link to save $20 off your first class! 💸
*******************************************************************************************************
🌟 Master the Art of Communication: A Life Skill for Teens! 🌟

Teens learn many things in school, but navigating real-life communication challenges isn’t always one of them. From handling conflicts with friends and siblings to speaking confidently with authority figures, effective communication is a skill that often goes untaught—but it’s one that teens use every day.

🗣️ Does your teen ever feel…

Unsure how to approach tricky conversations?
Frustrated or misunderstood during disagreements?
Nervous speaking up in front of others?
If so, this class is designed to empower them with the tools they need!

🎯 What we’ll cover:

Through interactive games, role-playing, and creative exercises, participants will:

Learn how to handle conflicts with friends, peers, and siblings effectively.
Gain confidence in speaking to adults and authority figures.
Master problem-solving strategies for everyday challenges.
Decode nonverbal communication and understand body language.
Build self-assurance and develop healthy communication habits.

💡 Why take this class?
Communication is the foundation for success in relationships, academics, and future careers. This course offers practical skills teens can apply immediately in their daily lives, giving them the confidence to tackle tough conversations and navigate the world around them.

🌈 What makes this class unique?
With over 15 years of experience as a communication professor and five years of working with children to build their confidence and social skills, I bring an evidence-based approach tailored specifically for teens. Real-world scenarios, guided discussions, and team-building exercises make this a fun, safe, and interactive space where teens can learn and grow.

Set your teen up for success with this one-of-a-kind communication workshop!

Outline of Weekly Sessions:

                                    ***Subjects will repeat once all topics are covered****

🗓 Week 1 (5/19): Introduction to Interpersonal Communication and Self-Awareness

Importance of effective communication
Self-assessment of strengths and areas for growth
Setting personal communication goals

🗓 Week 2 (5/26): Building Confidence and Positive Self-Talk

Connection between self-confidence and communication
Overcoming negative thoughts and self-doubt
Practicing positive self-talk strategies

🚫 Week 3 (6/2): No Class This Week

🗓 Week 4 (6/9): Decoding Nonverbal Communication

Importance of nonverbal cues (body language, facial expressions, gestures)
Recognizing and interpreting nonverbal signals accurately
Role-playing and video analysis

🗓 Week 5 (6/16): Reading Social Cues & "Reading the Room"

Understanding verbal, nonverbal, and contextual cues
Recognizing group dynamics and unspoken messages
Practicing real-life social awareness skills

🗓 Week 6 (6/23): Navigating Interactions with Peers

Starting and maintaining conversations
Active listening and validating emotions
Practicing peer communication through role-playing

🗓 Week 7 (6/30): The Art of Small Talk

The role of small talk in building relationships
Strategies for starting and maintaining conversations
Handling awkward silences and social discomfort

🗓 Week 8 (7/7): The Art of Effective Apologies

Components of a meaningful apology
Why apologies matter in relationships
Overcoming common challenges in apologizing

🗓 Week 9 (7/14): Self-Disclosure in Relationships

How and when to share personal information
Building trust while maintaining boundaries
Practicing self-disclosure through role-play

🗓 Week 10 (7/21): Problem-Solving and Conflict Resolution

Steps in collaborative problem-solving
Strategies for handling disagreements effectively
Case studies and role-plays

🗓 Week 11 (7/28): Perceptual Errors in Communication

The halo and horn effects in first impressions
How biases impact communication and relationships
Strategies to reduce perceptual errors

🗓 Week 12 (8/4): Self-Perception and Its Impact on Communication

Understanding self-discrepancy theory and social comparison theory
How self-image affects how we communicate
Techniques to align self-perception with effective communication

🗓 Week 13 (8/11): Control Your Voice for Effective Communication

The impact of tone, pitch, and volume on communication
How vocal habits shape messages
Practicing voice control for clarity and confidence

🗓 Week 14 (8/18): Sounding Confident in Communication

Identifying vocal habits that weaken confidence (e.g., fillers, hedging)
Strengthening speech through tone, pacing, and word choice
Practical exercises to enhance vocal confidence

🗓 Week 15 (8/25): Developing Assertiveness

Difference between passive, aggressive, and assertive communication
Setting and maintaining boundaries respectfully
Role-playing assertive communication in different scenarios

🗓 Week 16 (9/1): Effectively Working in Groups

Strategies for collaboration and teamwork
Handling common group challenges
Advocating ideas while maintaining group harmony

🗓 Week 17 (9/8): Active Listening

Importance of listening in communication
Techniques for focused, engaged listening
Overcoming common listening barriers

🗓 Week 18 (9/15): Listening Styles and Situational Adaptation

Identifying different listening styles (people, action, content, time-oriented)
Matching listening styles to different situations
Practicing flexible listening skills

🗓 Week 19 (9/22): Relational Dialectics

Understanding opposing tensions in relationships (autonomy vs. connection, stability vs. change)
Strategies for balancing relational needs
Managing relationship expectations

🗓 Week 20 (9/29): Relational Strength and Maintenance

Building and maintaining strong relationships
Conflict management in long-term relationships
Strategies for healthy, lasting connections

🗓 Week 21 (10/6): Recognizing and Addressing Microaggressions

Understanding microaggressions and their impact
Identifying different types of microaggressions
Strategies for responding effectively

🗓 Week 22 (10/13): Finding the Right Words: "I," "You," and "We" Language

How different language choices shape communication
Using “I” statements for clear and constructive dialogue
Encouraging collaboration through “We” language

🗓 Week 23 (10/20): Digital Communication and Social Media Etiquette

Differences between face-to-face and online communication
Interpreting tone and intent online
Setting digital boundaries and managing online presence

🗓 Week 24 (10/27): Managing Anxiety in Communication

Causes of communication anxiety
Techniques for calming nerves and improving confidence
Practicing prepared and impromptu speaking

🗓 Week 25 (11/3): Self-Perception and Confident Communication

Understanding imposter syndrome
Overcoming self-doubt and negative self-talk
Building confidence through self-affirmation and practice

🗓 Week 26 (11/10): Communicating with Different Personality Types

Understanding introverts, ambiverts, and extroverts in communication
Adapting communication styles to different personalities
Role-playing exercises to improve adaptability

🗓 Week 27 (11/17): Setting Boundaries in Communication

The importance of healthy boundaries in relationships
Identifying and asserting personal boundaries
Techniques for expressing boundaries confidently

🗓 Week 28 (11/24): Maintaining Boundaries in Relationships

Understanding how boundaries can be disrupted
Identifying ways to be confident and assertive in the boundaries set
Effectively dealing with pushback
Analyzing real-life scenarios

🗓 Week 29 (12/1): Conversational Intelligence: The Science of Better Conversations

How the brain processes conversations and how emotional triggers affect communication
Strategies to build connections and improve conversational skills
Discussion and practice of techniques for navigating conversations effectively in daily life