🏫Teens learn a lot of things in school, but they may feel lost when having to navigate challenging communication contexts, whether it is dealing with a problem with a friend, speaking to an authority figure, solving a conflict with a sibling, or any other challenges that present themselves. 🤔

😖Everyday we must communicate, but with little guidance on how to do it properly, teens may feel lost or frustrated. 🫤

😎 Through fun activities, games, and creative exercises, participants will develop the foundational tools to navigate various communication contexts, handle interactions with peers, adults, authority figures, and siblings, solve problems, manage conflicts, boost self-assurance, and decode nonverbal cues. This course lays the groundwork for children to develop healthy communication habits and a strong sense of self-esteem. 😎

Through engaging activities, real-world scenarios, and guided discussions, participants will learn how to navigate interactions with peers, adults, and siblings, effectively deal with problems and conflicts, decode nonverbal cues, and ultimately develop the self-assurance needed for successful communication.

Outline of Weekly Sessions:

***New sections that have not started yet will start at the beginning of this schedule*** 

Week 1: Introduction to Interpersonal Communication and Self-Awareness (Week of 6/10)

Understanding the significance of effective interpersonal communication
Self-assessment of current communication strengths and areas for growth
Setting personal communication goals for the course
Ice-breaking activities to encourage interaction among participants

Week 2: Decoding Nonverbal Communication (Week of  6/17)

Importance of nonverbal cues (body language, facial expressions, gestures)
Recognizing and interpreting nonverbal signals accurately
Role-playing activities to practice nonverbal communication
Analyzing video clips to identify various nonverbal cues


Week 3: Navigating Interactions with Peers (Week of 6/24)

Recognizing methods to start and continue a conversation
Active listening and validating emotions in peer interactions
Role-playing exercises to practice effective communication with peers
Group discussions on building friendships 

Week 4:  Understanding Conflict Styles (Week of 7/1)

Exploring different conflict styles (e.g., avoiding, accommodating, competing, compromising, collaborating)
Identifying personal conflict styles through self-assessment
Practicing adaptive conflict resolution techniques for various situations
Group activities to simulate conflict scenarios and responses


Week 5: Developing Empathy (Week of 7/8)

Defining empathy and its importance in communication
Techniques to enhance empathetic listening and responding
Role-playing exercises to practice empathy in different contexts
Reflecting on personal experiences and discussing the impact of empathy on relationships

Week 6: Problem-Solving and Conflict Resolution (Week of 7/15)

Understanding the problem-solving process
Strategies for collaborative problem-solving in various situations
Identifying common sources of conflict and working toward resolution
Case studies and role-plays to practice problem-solving and conflict resolution

Week 7: Reading Social Cues (Week of 7/22)
Understanding social cues to "read a room"
Identifying nonverbal cues: body language, facial expressions, and eye contact
Recognizing verbal cues: tone of voice, word choice, pauses, and silence
Contextual cues: understanding the setting and group dynamics


Week 8: Building Confidence and Positive Self-Talk (Week of 7/29)
Exploring the connection between communication and self-confidence
Techniques for building self-assurance in communication
Identifying automatic negative thoughts and how to change them

Week 9: The Art of Effective Apologies (Week of 8/5)
Understanding the importance of apologizing in maintaining healthy relationships
Learning the components of an effective apology
Practicing delivering sincere and meaningful apologies
Overcoming challenges in apologizing

Week 10: Self-Disclosure in Relationships (Week of 8/12)
Understanding the role of self-disclosure in building trust and intimacy
Learning how to share personal information effectively
Recognizing the boundaries and risks of self-disclosure
Practicing self-disclosure through role-playing scenarios and group discussions

No Classes the week of 8/19 or 8/26


Week 11: Perceptual Errors in Communication (Week of 9/2)

Understanding the halo and horn effects in interpersonal evaluations
Exploring these errors and their impact on relationships
Recognizing how these perceptual errors affect communication and interactions
Practicing strategies to minimize perceptual biases in everyday communication 

Week 12: Self-Perception and Its Impact on Your Communication  (Week of 9/9)

Understanding self-discrepancy theory and its impact on communication
Exploring social comparison theory and its role in interpersonal interactions
Reflecting on personal self-perceptions and their influence on communication
Practicing techniques to align self-perception with effective communication

Week 13: Control Your Voice for Effective Communication (Week of 9/16)
Understanding the impact of vocal tone, pitch, and volume on communication
Learning how emotions are conveyed through voice
Recognizing unintended messages conveyed by vocal qualities
Practicing using voice effectively in various communication scenarios

Week 14: Effectively Working in Groups (Week of 9/23)

Learning strategies for effective teamwork and collaboration
Understanding how to deal with common group problems
Developing skills for advocating ideas and leading without overpowering others
Practicing group leadership and collaboration through role-playing exercises  


Week 15: Active Listening (Week of 9/30)

Discover the importance of active listening in communication. Learn and practice techniques to improve focus, understanding, and responsiveness in conversations. Overcome common listening barriers and apply active listening skills in various scenarios.

Week 16: Relational Dialectics  (Week of 10/7)

Delve into the theory of relational dialectics, which explores the dynamic and opposing tensions that exist in all relationships. Learn to identify and navigate common dialectical tensions such as autonomy vs. connection, openness vs. privacy, and stability vs. change. Practice strategies to manage these tensions effectively and maintain relational balance.

Week 17: Relational Strength and Maintenance (Week of 10/14)

Explore techniques for building strong, healthy relationships through effective communication. Learn strategies for maintaining relationships, managing conflicts, and navigating common relational challenges. Practice skills to ensure long-term relationship success and mutual support.

Week 18: Intercultural Communication: Power Distance (Week of 10/21)

Understand the principles of intercultural communication and the impact of cultural differences on interactions. Learn strategies to navigate cultural barriers and enhance communication with individuals from diverse backgrounds. Understand cultural dimensions of power distance to avoid miscommunication. Practice adapting your communication style to different cultural contexts. 

Week 19: Listening Styles and Situational Adaptation (Week of 10/28)

Learn about the four main listening styles—people-oriented, action-oriented, content-oriented, and time-oriented—and how each one works best in different situations. Whether you’re listening to a friend who needs support, following instructions, or trying to quickly get the main idea, knowing the right style to use will help you communicate better. 

Week 20 Intercultural Communication: Collectivism & Individualism (Week of 11/4)

Explore the essentials of intercultural communication and discover how cultural differences shape our interactions. Learn practical strategies to bridge cultural gaps and connect more effectively with people from both individualistic and collectivistic cultures. Understand key cultural dimensions to help avoid common miscommunications, and practice adjusting your communication style for various cultural settings
 
Week 21: Recognizing and Addressing Microaggressions  (Week of 11/11)

Gain awareness of microaggressions and their impact on communication.
Defining microaggressions, identifying different types, learning strategies for responding respectfully and constructively.

Week 22: Finding the Right Words: The Power of 'I,' 'You,' and 'We' Language  (Week of 11/18)

Learn the differences between "I," "You," and "We" language, how they impact communication, and practical ways to express yourself clearly and constructively. Improve your ability to resolve conflicts, take ownership of your feelings, and foster collaboration with others.

Week 23: Managing Anxiety in Communication (Week of 12/2)

Explore strategies for managing anxiety in social and communication settings.
Topics: Identifying causes of communication anxiety, techniques for calming nerves, practicing mindfulness and visualization techniques. Guided breathing exercises, practicing prepared and impromptu speaking in pairs, and reflecting on situations that trigger anxiety.

Week 24: Developing Assertiveness (Week of 12/9)

Learn the difference between passive, aggressive, and assertive communication.
Understanding assertiveness, setting boundaries, expressing needs clearly and respectfully. Role-playing assertive communication in various scenarios, discussing boundary-setting, and self-assessing comfort levels in standing up for oneself. 

Week 25: Digital Communication and Social Media Etiquette (Week of 12/16)

Understand the impact of digital communication and social media on interpersonal relationships. Differences between face-to-face and online communication, interpreting tone and intent online, managing digital boundaries. Analyzing real-life scenarios of online misunderstandings, creating social media guidelines for respectful communication, and discussing the effects of social media on self-perception. 


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