In the 21st century, schools have diverse students coming from different backgrounds, languages, and cultures with varied abilities and motivations for learning. As we are also experiencing a global pandemic, the learners are out of the classroom and maintaining their education in virtual academic environments. The changing needs and system of education capitalize the need for social and emotional learning (SEL) which is defined by the Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL) as ‘‘the process through which children and adults understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions’’.

This training is designed for in-service EFL teachers who want to learn about SEL and who are interested in SEL-related teaching strategies, how to plan and implement SEL in the lessons and teaching programs. Consequently, pre-service EFL teachers, headteachers, material developers, school principals, teacher trainers, and policymakers will also benefit from the program. This highly interactive and experience-based training will provide both theoretical and practical knowledge to experience SEL practices and to support inclusive and equitable learning. The participating teachers will gain an understanding of what SEL is by producing SEL implementation plans for their own educational context. The program offers strategies and practices for teachers to manage their own stress and engage in problem-solving more skillfully. Participants will also recognize the importance of social and emotional learning competencies, emotional intelligence and self-efficacy beliefs in teaching.

Trainer: Yağmur Ersoy Özer
Advisor: Prof. Dr. Derin Atay

Week 1:

I.Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
I.1. What is SEL? What are the core components of SEL?
I.2. What are the benefits of SEL for teachers and students?

II. The Theory of Emotional Intelligence (EI)
II.1. What is the theory of Emotional Intelligence (EI)?
II.2. How is EI related to SEL?

III. Classroom-Based SEL Programs
III.1. What are the key features of effective SEL Programs?
III.2. Presentation of SEL program profiles through addressing the skills targeted and instructional methods used.

Week 2:

I. Prosocial Classroom Model (PCM) 
I.1. What is Teaching Brain Theory and what are the five awarenesses of teaching?
I.2. What is Prosocial Classroom Model? How does the awareness of teaching extend PCM?

II. The effects of teachers’ beliefs on their classroom instruction
II.1. Teachers’ self-efficacy beliefs

III. The Teachers’ Social and Emotional Learning
III.1. Sadness and despair in teaching
III.2. Joy, passion and enjoyment in teaching
III.3. Teachers’ social and emotional competence (SEC)
III.4. The role of narrative in Teachers’ SEL

IV. SEL in Practice
IV.1. Preparing a sample lesson plan integrating SEL into their teaching practice.

Week 3:

I. Enhancing the Classroom Practice
I.1.SEL across the Developmental Spectrum: Elementary and Middle School

II. Implementation of SEL
II.1. Discussing the strengths and weaknesses of SEL programs and activities
II.2. Discussing whether incorporating SEL-based activities into the classroom instruction is applicable or not

III. SEL in Different Contexts and Cultures

IV. Discussing the implementation process of SEL

Week 4:

I. SEL for Students: A Path to Well-being
I.1. Teacher well-being and the connection to the well-being of learners
I.2. The role of emotions and emotion regulation in student success
I.3. Creating an SEL- friendly classroom

II. Coping with Stress
II.1. Identification of distress
II.2. Caring for yourself
II.3. Exercises to cope with stress

III. Social-Emotional Learning Through Play
III.1. Characteristics of Meaningful Play

IV. Discussing the implementation process of SEL

Week 5:

I. Discussing colleagues’ instructional strategies and activities of SEL
I.1.Participants make comments on each other’s’ experiences and make suggestions

II. How do you increase your threshold for complexity?
II.1. How do you respond when you encounter setbacks or challenges?

Week 6:

I. Discussing the implementation process of SEL

II. Revision of what we’ve learned so far

III. Question and Answer Session