I think that the most difficult soft skill to teach students is compassion.
So many of my students come to class with numerous responsibilities--at home, on the job, and at school. They have numerous needs themselves, so it is natural, common for me to witness their impatience with others. Consequently, on occasion I have had to take a student aside for a one-on-one conference when that student has been short, impatient--or even at times rude to another classmate; this occurs most frequently when a student might be paired up with another student who may not be as intellectually advanced as he or she.
More often than not, such heads-up discussions create a field of understanding that the impatient student hadn't really considered, and the new insight helps pave the way for better team play and acceptance of others.
Antonio,
I agree, it is difficult to teach. I would say that no matter what class you are teaching there are opportunities to discuss ethical practices. Can you incorporate ethics into any of your teachings and provide case studies or specific examples?
I would have to say the most difficult soft skill to teach to Students is integrity. Integrity is something that to me is more moral and ethical than academic and teaching this in a term to a large group of students is very difficult.
I think the most difficult soft skill to teach students is the art of compromise and/or flexibility, yet that skill is one of the top five attributes desired by employers. We can provide all of the knowledge they need within our classroom, but we also must shape the way the student acts and reacts to change within the workplace.
Teaching young student what integrity is and why it is important.
Pamela,
Tempers and accusations can be a volatile mixture. What kind of follow up do you do with those situations to emphasize a soft skill?
Demographics have a role in this equation as well. I deal with a 'diverse' group of students and sometimes their culture has a great effect on how they may choose to react to a certain classroom situation. I try to utilize my knowledge of their background to diffuse any situations that might occur where tempers rise and accusations are made.
I think the age of the students would give different responses to this question. For the teenagers I believe being tactful and polite and exhibiting self-discipline are difficult for many teens to change.........maybe simple maturation is what some need most!!!
