Social literacy

What is social literacy ?

• Social literacy, from the perspective of the social-cultural theory, is more than the
ability to read and write, and more than mastering literacy skills. Children can learn
literacy through social interaction between themselves and children and/or adults in
or outside school . Adults can use books, games, toys, conversations, field trips,
and stories to develop the literacy practices through fun.
• An individual’s activity to successfully and deliberately mediate their word as family
members, workers, citizens and lifelong learners.
• This refers to the development of social skills to interact positively in a defined
environment.
Why is Social Literacy is Important?

• Social literacy is important because students must learn

the necessary skills to communicate and widen their
social circles.
• It is more important to make sure students interact in
groups. By working in groups the students are practicing
social skills that can be applied within and outside of the
classroom.
•Students who don’t
interact are known as
socially illiterate
Being socially illiterate causes

• Lack of confidence
• Learning disabilities
• Depression
Social literacy skills

• 1. Effective communication. It is the ability to communicate

effectively and share thoughts and ideas with students through
group conversations, discussions, etc.
• 2. Conflict resolution. It is the ability to get to the source of the
problem and find a workable solution by weighing both sides from
those involved with the goal of mediating for reconciliation.
• 3. Active listening. It is the ability to pay close attention to a
student in times of counseling, introspection and consultation.
Social literacy skills

• 4. Empathy. It is the ability to understand and identify the feelings of students in

times of difficulty and trouble.
• 5. Relationship management. It is the ability to maintain relationships and build
key connections with school stakeholders for the student's development.
• 6. Respect. It can be done by knowing when to initiate communication and
respond during interactions or even in times of heated arguments and
confrontations.
• 7. Problem-solving skills. These involve seeking help, making effective decisions
and accepting consequences to derive better the problem.
• 8. Interpersonal skills. These include the abilities of sharing, joining activities,
asking for permission and waiting for one's turn in every facet of school
undertakings.
Improving social skills.

• Social skills can be improved by focusing on sustaining desirable

attitudes and eliminating those undesirable ones through
modeling, role-playing and performance feedback mechanisms.
• In addition, one may consider: (1) maintaining eye contact; (2)
using proper body language; (3) knowing the difference between
being assertive and being aggressive; (4) selecting effective
communication channels; (5) being flexible; (6) accepting criticism
without being defensive; (7) remaining positive at all times; and
(8) being teachable and a good student in most instances
(https://www.skillsyouneed.com/ ips/social-skills.html).
Improving social skills.

• Likewise, other ways that may help are as 'follows: (1) Behave as a
social person; (2) Start small if necessary; (3) Ask open-ended
questions; (4) Encourage others to talk about themselves; (5)
Create goals for yourself; (6) Offer compliments generously; (7)
Read books about social skills; (8) Practice good manners; (9) Pay
attention to your body language; (10) Join a social skills support
group; (11) Stay up to date on current events; and (12) Identify
and replace negative thoughts.
•
Impact of Social Skills.

• Possessing social skills results to: (1) better relationships; (2)

better communication; (3) greater efficiency; (4) advanced career
prospects; and (5) increased over-all happiness
(https://www.masters-in-special-education.com/lists/5-types-of-
social-skills-deficit/).
Emotional Intelligence (EQ)

• Emotional intelligence can bring about maintaining a healthy and

purposeful relationship with others that may best depict a socially
literate person.
•
• Goleman (1996) defines Emotional Intelligence (EQ) as the ability
to: (1) recognize, understand and manage own emotions; and (2)
recognize, understand and influence the emotions Of others.
Emotional Intelligence (EQ)

• It is being aware that emotions can drive behavior and impact

people (positively and negatively), and learning how to manage
those emotions, both one's own and others' when under pressure,
especially in times of: (1) giving and receiving feedback; (2)
meeting tight deadlines; (3) dealing with challenging relationships;
(4) not having enough resources; (5) dealing with change; and (6)
experiencing setbacks and failure.
•
Strategies for Enhancing Emotional Intelligence

• 1. Think about feelings. A person has to be sensitive to one's and

other's feelings to come up with the right manner of approach or
appropriate response. For example, a teacher has to be aware of
his/her students' background or situation that may trigger negative
emotions. In that case, he/she would know the right approach
when dealing with sensitive issues in class.
Strategies for Enhancing Emotional Intelligence

• 2. Pause. This is about taking a moment to stop and think before

doing anything to refrain from resorting to an unsound decision at
the height of anger. For example, at the peak of anger with a
student who commits violations, a teacher may gently pause for a
while and take a moment of silence to rethink and cool down
before jumping to any decision in order to avoid untoward
consequences.
Strategies for Enhancing Emotional Intelligence

• 3. Strive to control one's thoughts. This is controlling the

reaction to emotions by focusing on one's thoughts in harmony
with goals and values. For example, instead of overreacting to a
certain incident or situation in class, try to control negative
thoughts to see a myriad of colors at the end of the rainbow
among students. As such, try to find beauty in all things despite
not-so-good circumstances that may happen.
Strategies for Enhancing Emotional Intelligence

• 4. Benefit from criticism. Criticism, even not delivered in a

favorable way, is an opportunity to learn and it gives idea on how
others think about you. For example, when a senior teacher gives
negative feedback on your work, instead of taking it personally
against him/her, gratefully accept it with humility and
appreciation, just think that it is for your improvement.
Strategies for Enhancing Emotional Intelligence

• 5. Show authenticity. This is saying what we mean with what we

say and we have to stick on to our values and principles. For
example, in times of confrontation with parents, as teachers, we
should clearly express our side with respect and sincerity while
consistently upholding on to the principle and truth behind the
issue in order to avoid resorting to heated argument and conflict
at the end.
Strategies for Enhancing Emotional Intelligence

• 6. Demonstrate empathy. Whenever we show empathy to others,

such as understanding their thoughts and feelings, we can easily
establish a connection with them. As teachers, we should reach
out to students who are in their worse situations and try to
understand them and feel as if we were in the same boat.
• 7. Praise others. This is by way of acknowledging and appreciating
others toward attaining self-fulfillment and building trust. For
example, teachers should give acknowledgment and praise to
students for their deeds that are worth commending.
Strategies for Enhancing Emotional Intelligence

• 8. Give helpful feedback. Although negative feedback may hurt

one's feelings, at some point, it can be turned constructive for
one's improvement. For example, when we receive negative
feedback from 'our superiors, we have to take it as a challenge
toward becoming a better and stronger person.
• 9. Apologize. Saying sorry demonstrates humility, a quality that
will naturally win others as you value the relationship more than
the ego. For example, whenever we commit mistakes in teaching,
whether big or small, there is nothing to lose when we apologize,
even at times, doing it may seem to be very difficult.
Strategies for Enhancing Emotional Intelligence

• 10. Forgive and forget. Forgiving and forgetting prevent others from
holding emotions and allowing one to move forward. For example,
when a student or a colleague hurts us, we should be ready to
forgive and let go of the pains that somehow caused us.
• 11. Keep our commitments. The habit of keeping one's word in
things, either big or small, develops a strong reputation for
reliability and trustworthiness. For example, when we are given
tasks in the school, make sure that we commit ourselves, our time
and efforts into it. Remember, opportunities may only come once,
therefore, grab every opportunity that may come along our way for
it may never come again.
Strategies for Enhancing Emotional Intelligence

• 12. Help others. One way to positively win others is through helping
them because listening to and helping them can build trust and
inspire them to follow. For example, in every school activity, we
have to find ways to help others accomplish their tasks successfully.
In return, they will be grateful to us.
• 13. Protect ourselves from emotional sabotage. This is being wise
enough in protecting ourselves when others attempt to manipulate
our emotions for personal sake. For example, when we feel that
someone has been excessively or wrongly controlling our actions,
feelings and decisions in school, stop it in any right but subtle and
courteous way possible.
Recommended Tools in Enhancing
Emotional Intelligence

• Emotional intelligence can be enhanced in school with the help of

the following tools and strategies.
• 1. Emotional Literacy Workshop. This will help teachers to
communicate with students, recognize and manage emotions and
increase self -awareness.
• 2. Emotional Literacy Museum. It is a self-directed learning
experience that teaches about the physiology of emotions,
emotional regulation, and emotional literacy.
• 3. Mixed Emotions Cards. It is a beautiful deck of "tarot-like" cards
of feelings (labeled with feelings and synonyms).
Recommended Tools in Enhancing
Emotional Intelligence

• Emotional intelligence can be enhanced in school with the help of

the following tools and strategies.
• 1. Emotional Literacy Workshop. This will help teachers to
communicate with students, recognize and manage emotions and
increase self -awareness.
• 2. Emotional Literacy Museum. It is a self-directed learning
experience that teaches about the physiology of emotions,
emotional regulation, and emotional literacy.
• 3. Mixed Emotions Cards. It is a beautiful deck of "tarot-like" cards
of feelings (labeled with feelings and synonyms).
Recommended Tools in Enhancing
Emotional Intelligence

• 4. eMotion Cards. It is an evocative, playful moon face illustration of

emotions (open-ended without labels).
• 5. Biodots. It is a simple reminder that emotions are part of our physiology.
• 6. Bingo Emotions. It is typically a classic "bingo" game played with
emotions.
• 7. Feeling Faces. These are photos of real people and data about how
survey respondents evaluated each picture.
• 8. Six Seconds Emotional Intelligence Assessment. It provides feedback
about the way one uses EQ and how to improve in this area.
(http://www.6seconds.org/2018/02/27/emotional-intelligence-tips-
awareness')
Recommended Tools in Enhancing
Emotional Intelligence
• 9. The Zoo: Anima/ Workshop. It is an activity that intends to imitate an
animal behavior and gesture that ends with reflections and group sharing.
• 10. Face Workshop. It is an activity, in which partners face each other while
showing different facial expressions and qualities that ends with reflections.
• 11. The Machine Transformer. Participants in groups have to transform into an
assigned machine or vehicle, of which each member shall comprise different
parts, deemed essentials and equally important that usually ends up with
interactions and reflections.
• 12. Tower Building. Groups will be tasked to build a tower using pop sticks and
straws. The goal is to make the tallest and strongest tower of all. This will end
up, with interactions, sharing, open forums and patching of emotional barriers.
Recommended Tools in Enhancing
Emotional Intelligence

• 13. Build Me a House. The participants in groups will be tasked to build

a house using any available material around them. The goal is to make
the strongest house. Then, the facilitator will suddenly destroy the
house made by the group and observe the members' emotions and
reactions and let them express their feelings and thoughts. At the end,
each one will draw realizations, lessons and values for reflection.
• 14. Internalization Activity. This is an activity that helps participants to
reflect on the narrations of the facilitator with a background music in a
dim and candle lighted room. Everyone can express his/her emotions
and feelings of resentment, remorse, agony, disappointment, and
sadness.
Recommended Tools in Enhancing
Emotional Intelligence

• 15. Mirroring and unmasking Activity. Each participant shall

prepare a piece of paper and put it at his/her back, In a circular
formation, everyone has to write that person's negative attitude
on that paper. Everyone will be given time to see those feedbacks
and reflect on them while they are also given a chance to express
themselves. These negative feedbacks will be called masks to be
torn-off and burned at the end of the activity and they will be led
to a prayer for self-renewal and rejuvenation.
Ten Characteristics of an Emotionally Intelligent Person
(Connors, 2018)

• 1. Empathy. Empathy is the capacity to understand or feel what

another person is experiencing from within their frame of
• Greater Good Science Center in UC Berkeley laid down two
different types of empathy, namely: (a) Affective empathy - refers
to the sensations and feelings that one gets in response to others'
emotions including mirroring what that person is feeling, or just
feeling stressed when he/she detects another's fear or anxiety; (b)
Cognitive empathy (sometimes called "perspective- taking") -
refers to one's ability to identify and understand other people's
emotions.
Ten Characteristics of an Emotionally Intelligent Person
(Connors, 2018)

• 2. Self-awareness. It is the art of understanding one's self,

recognizing the stimuli that he/she faces and preparing how to
manage him/herself, both in a proactive and reactive manner.
• 3. Curiosity. It is one's willingness to learn and improve. When one
is curious, he/she is passionate and therefore, he/she is driven to
desire to be at his/her best.
• 4. Analytical mind. It pertains to being critical thinker that
analyzes and processes all new information that comes his/her
way and see if they can extract ways to improve.
Ten Characteristics of an Emotionally Intelligent Person
(Connors, 2018)

• 5. Belief. It is the power of believing in one's self, both at present

and the future. It is a matter of affirming that people and things in
one's life happen for a reason and that everything will ultimately
turn out to be good.
• 6. Needs and wants. It is something to discern between things that
one needs versus things that he/she just wants and establishing
needs prior to fulfilling wants.
• 7. Passion. It is the natural desire, instinct, drive, ambition and
motivated love for a subject or someone. More so, it brings
positive energy that helps sustain and inspire one to keep
Ten Characteristics of an Emotionally Intelligent Person
(Connors, 2018)

• 8. Optimism. It is about maintaining a positive attitude that may

increase one's opportunities, improve relationships and think
clearly and constructively.
• 9. Adaptability. It is an important recognition and the ability to
make or remake decisions in one's best interest. It/ is also
determining when to continue his/her course, or when is the time
for a change.
• 10. Desire to help others succeed. It is becoming interested and
appreciative of the success and achievement of others.
People Skills

• According Wikipedia, people skills are patterns of behavior and

behavioral interactions. For Thompson (2009), this is an area of
exploration about how a person behaves and how he/she is
perceived irrespective of his/her thinking and feeling. Honey
(2001) defines it as the dynamics between personal ecology
(cognitive, affective, physical and spiritual dimensions) and its
function with other people's personality styles in numerous
environments (life events, institutions, challenges, etc.).
People Skills

• On the other hand, people skills are tools used to communicate

and interact effectively with 'others. Therefore, individuals with
strong people skills are able to predict behavior, relate to others
and socialize easily.
•
• People skills can also be defined in three sets of abilities: (1)
persona/ effectiveness or about, how one comes across with
others; (2) interaction ability or how well one predicts and
decodes behavior; and (3) intercede easily or ability to lead,
influence and build bridges between people.
People Skills

• Moreover, people skills are the ability to accept, appreciate and

admire others on a personal or professional level. Good people
skills extend to the ability to 'listen and empathize with others, as
well as work toward common goals with them. Therefore, these
are sets of skills that enable a person to get along with others,
communicate ideas effectively, resolve conflicts and achieve
personal or professional goals.
People Skills

• In general, Portland Business Journal describes people

skills as (Rifkin, 2009):
• Ability to effectively communicate, understand and empathize
• Ability to interact with others respectfully and develop
productive working relationship to minimize conflict and
maximize rapport
• Ability to build sincerity and trust, moderate behaviors (less
impulsive) and enhance agreeableness
People Skills

• In general, people skills are an essential part of work,

life and social success. When one has strong people
skills, he/she is able to: (1) pitch him/herself; (2)
overcome social anxiety; (3) communicate ideas; and (4)
influence others positively.
Strategies in Obtaining Good People Skills

Good communication skills. Strong people skills in the communication area include the
ability to take in information, clarify comments and participate in effective verbal and
written exchanges.
• Conflict resolution skills. Having the ability to mediate disputes and
resolve conflict among others is an important personal and professional
skill. Hence, conflict resolution involves the ability to clarify a specific
dispute, listen to perspectives in a non-judgmental manner and offer
suggestions for action.
• The value of patience. Patience is an exceptional people skill that is
valuable in every profession. It involves being able to maintain an even
temper, repeat and explain information as necessary and control anger
in even the most trying situations.
Strategies in Obtaining Good People Skills

• 4. Tolerance and understanding. Having tolerance and

understanding for the differences of others leads to success.
Tolerant people have the ability to accept differences, even when
they don't personally agree with them.
Strategies in Obtaining Good People Skills

• In general, there are 5 A's to improve people skills, namely: (1)

acceptance; (2) appreciation; (3) approval; (4) admiration; and (5)
attention.
•
Ten Essential People Skills to Succeed
The following is the list of soft skills for one's self-reflection and examination.

• Being socially assertive. Social assertiveness is essential for conserving social

energy in the right ways. People with high social assertiveness have more focused
social energy and more clarity in their interactions.

• 2. Crafting a memorable presence. People with great presence

take it easy in making connections and are extremely good at
rapport building. Those with a strong presence can attract others,
are well-remembered and are likable.
• 3. Mastering communication. This is knowing how to present
one's self and, in turn, gets one's message across.
Ten Essential People Skills to Succeed
The following is the list of soft skills for one's self-reflection and examination.

• 4. Sustaining lasting confidence. People, who can sustain lasting

confidence are able to conquer their shyness, avoid awkwardness
and get through their anxiety or overcome any nervous
tendencies.
• 5. Being an excellent conversationalist. This is essential in
communicating and interacting with others, excellent
conversationalists are people whom others may be fond of
listening to and discussing with.
Ten Essential People Skills to Succeed
The following is the list of soft skills for one's self-reflection and examination.

• Most interactions happen in three levels: (1) The First Five

Minutes: This is the first impression and the time to decide if
someone is worth getting to know; (2) The First Five Hours: This
is moving past first impressions into rapport building; and (3) The
First Five Days: This is the final and ultimate level of trust and
connection. Thus, a conversation 'is the key to moving up these
three levels.
Ten Essential People Skills to Succeed
The following is the list of soft skills for one's self-reflection and examination.

• 6. Being highly likable. Likability is an important facet of trust by through

being authentic or genuine with their true selves.
• 7. Being exceptional at decoding emotions. People, who are good at reading
people, are exceptionally strong at knowing how others think and feel.
• 8. Pitching ideas. Pitching is a very important people skill because it happens
all the time when one is asked for his/her opinion and in introducing
himself/herself.
• 9. Being charismatic. Charisma is the perfect blend of two essential people
skills traits such as warmth and competence.
• 10. Being an influential leader. Leaders in both personal, social and
professional life are able to gain camaraderie.
Integrating Socio-Emotional Literacy in the curriculum

• Schools that want to teach socio-emotional learning but confined

with classroom time can take a social, emotional and moral
inventory of what students are currently learning by involving: (1)
a person’s emotional life; (2) an ethical dilemma: (3) a situation
calling for compassion: (4) a societal change: (5) the ethical use of
knowledge: (6) cross-group interactions; and (7) an implicit
prosocial concept.
Integrating Socio-Emotional Literacy in the curriculum

• By integrating social literacy in the curriculum content, teachers do not

only give students opportunities to practice their social-emotional skills,
but also show them how integral these skills are in their daily lives.

• Hence, reviewing curricula through social, emotional and moral

lens is like a habit of mind that the more it is done, the easier it gets.
Obviously, the greatest benefit of teaching lessons like this is that
students can begin to examine their education, decisions, interests,
relationships through this lens.
•