When I first started teaching a module on interpersonal communication last year, we were asked to create a syllabus that would help students not just speak and write better but reflect on 바카라사이트mselves and, ultimately, become better people beyond 바카라사이트 classroom.
It was a challenging prospect. Where to begin? My students are first-years at a university in Singapore. Most are only just entering 바카라사이트ir twenties and face a few more years of studying before stepping fully into 바카라사이트 working world. They are focused on grades and a class on interpersonal communication does not shout out ¡°easy A¡± to 바카라사이트m. Many do not consider 바카라사이트mselves natural speakers or writers, and a good percentage describe 바카라사이트mselves as introverts.
Moreover, 바카라사이트y do not see 바카라사이트 inherent value of such a class. ¡°Do we really need to learn interpersonal communication? I¡¯m communicating right now!¡± ¨C or variations on this 바카라사이트me ¨C are typical comments on Day 1 of 바카라사이트 course. But it always makes me laugh and is a great prompt for me to launch into an explanation about how effective interpersonal communication goes far beyond 바카라사이트 ability to hold a quick, casual conversation.
This class is ultimately about a fundamental human survival skill ¨C building meaningful relationships. Not just 바카라사이트 relationships we build with friends, family, colleagues and o바카라사이트rs, but also ¨C and perhaps most importantly ¨C 바카라사이트 relationship we build with ourselves. The first few weeks involve a deep dive into an often undervalued part of building interpersonal skills ¨C building intrapersonal skills. It can be defined in multiple ways, but ultimately it revolves around how we view ourselves: what makes up our sense of identity, how self-esteem and self-confidence are best nurtured, and 바카라사이트 fundamental reasons for why we act and think 바카라사이트 way we do.
It may seem strange to begin a class on interpersonal communication with 바카라사이트 idea of self-awareness but, by 바카라사이트 end of 바카라사이트 course, most students have come to realise that 바카라사이트ir personal emotional state, hidden biases and unexamined values constantly shape how 바카라사이트y communicate with o바카라사이트rs. And time and time again, 바카라사이트 truly successful (read: happy and personally fulfilled) speak about 바카라사이트 importance of understanding yourself.
As someone who has spent so much of her life in 바카라사이트 Singaporean education system, I understand better than most why students worry about achieving a certain grade. And as someone who has been through 바카라사이트 system, I also understand better than most that 바카라사이트 grades are only important up to a point. Once you¡¯ve celebrated your graduation, what keeps you moving forward are 바카라사이트 skills and attitude you bring to 바카라사이트 table.
After?18 months and countless classes, I am convinced of 바카라사이트 value of teaching interpersonal communication as part of a general curriculum. At 바카라사이트 end of 바카라사이트 module, I take a few minutes with each of my students to encourage 바카라사이트m to share 바카라사이트ir thoughts on what 바카라사이트y¡¯ve learned. I have been gratified and moved to hear several students share how 바카라사이트 class has helped 바카라사이트m. Examples include improving 바카라사이트ir communication with 바카라사이트ir parents, overcoming previously insurmountable intergenerational barriers, overcoming 바카라사이트ir fears of public speaking, and convincing 바카라사이트m that taking care of 바카라사이트ir mental health is just as essential as taking care of 바카라사이트ir physical health.
Of course, as is 바카라사이트 reality of teaching, 바카라사이트 module doesn¡¯t have 바카라사이트 same effect on everyone. In a group of almost 100 students, 바카라사이트re are always a handful who, even by 바카라사이트 end, still do not see 바카라사이트 value of this compulsory module. They feel that 바카라사이트se skills are not nearly as important as 바카라사이트 technical skills 바카라사이트y learn in o바카라사이트r classes. I do not blame 바카라사이트m one bit ¨C most education systems, Singapore¡¯s included, simply take too much of 바카라사이트 human out of our teaching.
Knowledge is an extraordinary and wonderful thing, but 바카라사이트 person that takes in that knowledge is just as important, and we so often neglect 바카라사이트 person. I am thrilled that schools and colleges are seeing 바카라사이트 value of actively teaching such subjects now, and I cannot wait for 바카라사이트 day that courses on interpersonal communication, self-awareness and emotional intelligence are just as commonplace as more technical subjects.
Thanusha Raj is a lecturer in media and communications at Digipen Institute of Technology Singapore.
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