MESSAGE

In the digital era of the 21st century, integration and connection take place with greater depth and breadth than ever. Human-to-human interaction becomes more complicated. Yet students’ social-emotional intelligence or EQ is not equally invested as academic achievements and IQ. It is difficult for students to succeed at work and live happily without the intelligence particularly essential for social interaction. 

According to a  2016 report by Committee for Children and CASEL in the U.S. citing the skills that businesses require from graduates: Forbes Magazine rated the top four skills including (1) teamwork, (2) problem-solving, (3) decision-making, and (4) communication. Similarly, World Economic Forum listed 16 important skills in the 21st century. Among them, twelve skills are in the social-emotional domain. Thus, social-emotional competence is an indispensable tool for future career. Another CASEL’s 2011 analysis drawing from 213 studies on the benefits of implementing social-emotional education in schools showed that students had better academic results, higher learning motivation, less stress, and reduced negative behaviors. 

During teenage years with complex psychological development and social relationships, the preparation for teens to understand themselves and others is vital to help them communicate effectively, build collaboration, make appropriate decisions, and secure a bright future. 

OBJECTIVES

SEL helps teens improve the five areas of social-emotional intelligence as below: 

• Self-awareness: The abilities to understand one’s own emotions, thoughts, and values and how they influence behavior across contexts. This includes capacities to recognize one’s strengths and limitations with a well-grounded sense of confidence and purpose.
• Self-management: The abilities to manage one’s emotions, thoughts, and behaviors effectively in different situations and to achieve goals and aspirations. This includes the capacities to delay gratification, manage stress, and feel motivation and agency to accomplish personal and collective goals.
• Social awareness: The abilities to understand the perspectives of and empathize with others, including those from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and contexts. This includes the capacities to feel compassion for others, understand broader historical and social norms for behavior in different settings, and recognize family, school, and community resources and supports.
• Relationship skills: The abilities to establish and maintain healthy and supportive relationships and to effectively navigate settings with diverse individuals and groups. This includes the capacities to communicate clearly, listen actively, cooperate, work collaboratively to problem solve and negotiate conflict constructively, navigate settings with differing social and cultural demands and opportunities, provide leadership, and seek or offer help when needed.
• Responsible decision-making: The abilities to make caring and constructive choices about personal behavior and social interactions across diverse situations. This includes the capacities to consider ethical standards and safety concerns, and to evaluate the benefits and consequences of various actions for personal, social, and collective well-being. 
  (CASEL’s Core Competence Areas 2021, https://casel.org/sel-framework/)

CONTENTS