Skills Builder

This content was written by

Tema Official Language School

Context

Our school is located in the Arab Republic of Egypt, Sohag governorate Tema city, Al Sahel street. Age of learners ranges from 10 to 15 years.

Overall impact

The school has benefited from support to develop students’ essential skills, including their ability to deal with difficulties in their academic work, and to transfer this to the outside world and benefit in life. We interacted with the program by reading and understanding the steps, by teaching the steps for each skill and providing opportunities for students to apply them (and sharing this widely with colleagues). Teachers taught the skills of Listening, Speaking, Problem Solving and Staying Positive.

Keep it simple

We discussed with teachers how to teach students the skills of Listening and Speaking, guided by the training we received from Skills Builder. We also placed skill posters in all classrooms of the school and the Laboratory in which students learn science. The school held a celebration event (with a range of teachers) to share skill achievements. Gifts were distributed for progress in skills. During curriculum time, one lesson aim is related to the skill. Students are rewarded (through praise) when they achieve that aim. During the academic year I held a weekly meeting with colleagues to discuss progress in the program.

Start early, keep going

During the year, we have introduced Skills Builder to students aged 9-12. Students have focussed skill lessons, and skills are also embedded within teachers’ curriculum planning.

Measure it

We have used the offline assessment tracking system and the pupil passport so that a record of achievement can be maintained. A platform has been provided for teachers to pass on information, including observations of the pupils in the class.

Focus tightly

We have had weekly taught skills sessions which have been referred to at each stage of future interaction with the children, e.g. Staying Positive means the ability to use tactics and strategies to overcome setbacks and achieve goals, what can you remember about Staying Positive Ahmed?

Keep practising

The skills have been referred to in maths, English and science lessons (science lessons include skill-related objectives). The students applied what they had learned. For example, to overcome the problem of pollution, students were trained to learn how to farm. They farmed with their own hands in the schoolyard. Students applied Staying Positive and videos were recorded among the students who exchanged encouraging phrases when some failed in the mathematics exam and social studies. We provided constant feedback for the skill of Listening, for example, were the students learning not to interrupt the speaker?

Bring it to life

Students are encouraged to apply the skills learnt in class in their daily lives, including in their households and through environmental projects. This is later discussed with students.

What's next

We hope to receive more training to benefit from it. The plan for next year is to work on the other 4 skills: Creativity, Aiming High, Leadership and Teamwork. We would like to focus on writing the skills into the curriculum policy.

Egypt