to think children should be taught social skills, public speaking and conflict resolution at school?

[CailinDana]

And that those skills and the confidence they give are just as important as academic skills, if not more so in some ways?

I will add, I agree that the social behaviour learnt at home will always override anything taught in school. Parents/family have the biggest influence.

Thing is MsLT I am in no way "naturally" confident, in fact I doubt such a thing exists.

What is it about speaking that you think means some people will never learn it?

Every school I've ever been in has had kids standing up and doing presentations. I have literally no idea what you are going on about, op.

I assume you think you have single handledly solved the social issues of half the country, but this stuff is going on already. I'm not entirely sure what you'd do differently that would make it the panacea you believe it is.

It's like maths. Some kids love it. Others don't give a flying toss and doodle throughout. You can make a kid stand up in front of a class and talk, and run small group activities on drama and conflict resolution, but if the kid isn't interested, you can't force him to benefit.

Well done you for being such an outstanding member of society, though

Fwiw, we do all this stuff in guides, too. Ours have been through more conflict management stuff than you, probably. And are currently working towards their public speaking badge.

I'm entirely in favour of all of the above, but I'm aghast that you don't know it happens already, and is only of use to the kids that are interested. Very narrow world view. Maybe get out more, before making speeches about how you can correct the ills of the world?

Private schools do this a lot. I did public speaking competitions at school. Making speeches to crowds I find easy.

Talking to one on one to a person is much harder for me though.

Both skills are important for children and teens to learn. It helps in things like getting a job for sure.

It has taken me years to grow really confident about starting conversations with strangers - going to a party is not my idea of fun. It is such hard work. I didn't get taught that skill at school.

Arabella I'm not sure why you think I want to solve any social issues or where you got the idea that what I suggest is a "panacea"- a panacea for what?

Thank you for considering me outstanding though equally I'm not sure where you got that from. I said I was confident and academically able - does that annoy you for some reason? You seem angry but I'm not sure why. I would genuinely like to understand what has offended you so much.

Cailin - sometimes they do. For example, at our Church, it is always a young person who reads the first lesson, then twice a year the young poeple take the service - it's lovely to see those skills develop. Equally my dc have had occasions at Scouts to do stuff where they speak in front of others, or do some persuasive talking. Also at Church, once they get to 14, the young people - instead of Sunday School - have a discussion group which is great for helping them leearn to develop arguments.
Those are just things my dc do, I'm sure all sorts of children's and youth groups give the dc opportunities like that.
When I was teaching infants, I would put a lot of work into teaching them to speak out - in assemblies, Nativity, other 'presentations' throughout the school year. My experience with 3 dc going through their schools is that there are also chances to apply to be on school councils, etc., which involve putting your case forward to be selected, then representing your class once on. Loads of presentations in different subjects too. My middle one went to a governing body meeting once to ask for money for a project she was involved in (in Yr6) and had to prepare what she wanted to say and they speak to the meeting.
Lots of opportunities there, but some dc find it comes easier than others.

x-posted, was replying to your post on previous page, just took too long

Move to Scotland - it is all we are doing now.

They do teach all those things at my son's school (private) Although I agree it's excellent, whether its possible to deliver it in the state sector I don't know, purely on a time basis. The senior portion of DS's school don't finish until 6 or 7 each evening dependant on sport & clubs etc and have Saturday school. This obviously gives a greater window of opportunity to teach the 'off syllabus' stuff, than the local comp that finishes at 3.20 every day.

I agree, OP.

I think there's nowhere near enough emphasis given to how to public speak, hold a formal debate or conversation.

It hurts people's job chances and progression in many, many places not to have these skills. A good interview will get you the job, a bad one will cost you it - every time.

Management (in any form), Sales, medicine, teaching, HR, anything customer facing - all jobs which are easier (and easier to get) if you are a confident speaker.

It should be required.

And, why should anything be dropped? Get the children to write presentations on different World Religions, and then group compare them.

There's RE, public speaking and group discussion all in one go!

Presenting is part of the currriculum for excellence in Scotland. DCs have to do an individual presentation as part of their topic work every term or half term. They also have regular learning assemblies where they present their work to the whole school. This is from primary 1.

Of course, there's a reason CfE is also known as curriculum for extroverts - having to do a stand up presentation is torture for some children.

Social skills teaching / conflict resolution I see as my job as a parent tbh. The curriculum is rammed as it is...

I 100% agree with you,CailinDana. (And the PP who mentioned teaching financial skills.) Our primary used to include pupil presentations to their class 2-3 times a year, but they dropped it in favour if French and IT. What a waste! How can someone teach a language if they are unfamiliar with it? You need specialist language teachers, not all-rounder primary school teachers, no matter how hard-working they are. And I would not object to IT if they taught IT. No, they teach Word, PowerPoint, etc.

The public speaking lessons were far more valuable, but, unfortunately, MFL and IT, no matter hoe poorly taught, earn more Ofsted Brownie points.

What is it about speaking that you think means some people will never learn it?
Again, one size does not fit all. People have different personalities and skills. It is possible to 'learn' anything only up to our own personal level.

The world really doesn't need another generation of schmoozing bullshit merchants a la Blair, Cameron and Obama. Once we have a generation of people who know what their on about we might have a starting point.

If RE was dropped maybe there would be a bit more time for this though.

I agree with you OP.

Basic social skills are pretty appalling in this country (not everyone I know ) - I used to do a lot of recruitment - trainees/graduates etc and it was shocking the number of people who would enter the room and not even be able to say 'good morning' and shake hands in a confident manner. To be quite blunt - those people didn't stand a chance in a competitive job market. . let alone the fact of knowing how to dress appropriately for an interview.

They do do it.

That's good to hear Wilson. I know out of school organisation cover it to some extent but I think it's more effective for school to cov

That's good to hear Wilson. I know out of school organisation cover it to some extent but I think it's more effective for school to cover it.

also, lots of things happen in peoples lives outside school or when they leave that can affect their confidence so just being taught the skills is only half the battle. A disruptive family, bullying friend or partner, illness, bereavements, etc can all impact on peoples ability to do these things well and be confident doing so.

True MsLT but IMO basic public speaking is not a very high level skill. I do think the average child is more than capable of it. They might not like it but it's just as important a skill as basic maths, and you can't opt out of that if you don't like it.

Dahlen, I agree. Social skills are not just passed down by osmosis, they need to be taught. They used to be taught, quite explicitly but that became old fashioned. While I don't think children should be taught strict etiquette they should be equipped with the basic script for most situations.

True MsLT but IMO basic public speaking is not a very high level skill. I do think the average child is more than capable of it. They might not like it but it's just as important a skill as basic maths, and you can't opt out of that if you don't like it.

Dahlen, I agree. Social skills are not just passed down by osmosis, they need to be taught. They used to be taught, quite explicitly but that became old fashioned. While I don't think children should be taught strict etiquette they should be equipped with the basic script for most situations.

True MsLT but IMO basic public speaking is not a very high level skill.
I don't agree. [[http://sixminutes.dlugan.com/25-skills-every-public-speaker-should-have/ A list of the many skills needed...]

I agree, OP. There is no need for fetishizing public speaking as though it's something that only a minority of people with a particular kind of personality can manage to a proficient level. I am currently learning to drive in my 40s, and am gobsmacked that as a society we generally consider this a basic skill like literacy that should be within the grasp of everyone, or almost. I don't think that learning to speak confidently in public is inherently more difficult than driving, a skill most people master without any particular fanfare - it is simply that our society considers one 'normal' and one 'niche'.

CailinDana, as a fellow Irish person, I couldn't agree with you more on different cultural attitudes to confident children.

Here! Ok, maybe not altogether essential if you are addressing 5 adults at a PTA meeting but nevertheless...