In my teaching experience, I have tried some simple strategies to help learners develop the five core competencies of Social Emotional Learning (SEL). For self-awareness, I encourage students to talk about their feelings and reflect on their strengths and weaknesses. For self-management, I remind them to stay calm and focused, especially when they feel stressed or frustrated.

To build social awareness, I use group discussions where students listen to each other’s ideas and learn to respect different opinions. For relationship skills, I often use pair or group work so they can practice communication and teamwork. I also guide them in solving small conflicts peacefully. For responsible decision-making, I ask students to think about the consequences of their actions before making choices.

One success I have seen is that students become more open and supportive of each other. However, a challenge is that some students feel shy or are not used to sharing their emotions.

I believe I could use some lesson plans and games from the International Rescue Committee, especially group activities and role-playing games. These would work well in my context because they are interactive and can help students practice real-life social and emotional skills in a safe environment.