🎉 NEW TO OUTSCHOOL? 
Use code ProfessorM20 for $20 off your first class! 💸
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🏫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 required 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 a combination of 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 (6/13)

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 (6/20)

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 (6/27)

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 (7/4)

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 (7/11)

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 (7/18)

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 (7/25)
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 (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 (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 (8/12)
Understanding the role of self-disclosure in building trust and intimacy
Learning how to effectively share personal information
Recognizing the boundaries and risks of self-disclosure
Practicing self-disclosure through role-playing scenarios and group discussions

No Class the week of 8/19 

Week 11: Self Perception and Its Impact on Your Communication (8/26)
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 12: Control Your Voice for Effective Communication (9/2)
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 13: Perceptual Errors in Communication (9/9)
Understanding the halo and horn effects in interpersonal evaluations
Exploring the fundamental attribution error and its impact on relationships
Recognizing how these perceptual errors affect communication and interactions
Practicing strategies to minimize perceptual biases in everyday communication

Week 14: Effectively Working in Groups (9/16)
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 (9/23)
Description: 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 Strength and Maintenance (9/30)
Description: 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 17: Relational Dialectics (10/7)
Description: 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 18: Intercultural Communication (10/14)
Description: 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 such as collectivism vs. individualism and power distance to avoid miscommunication. Practice adapting your communication style to different cultural contexts. 

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