We live in a world full of communication. Shockingly many of our students don’t have the communication skills they will need to be successful in a job.
“Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something.”
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Phone Communication Skills
It might seem crazy, but many of our students do not know how to use a landline telephone. I recall when I was helping a student call home, and they were holding the receiver upside down. The student was completely bewildered by using a phone with a cord. A simple skill for students is how to hold and dial a landline telephone.
Most families use cell phones instead of home phones. Because of this, many students don’t know how to answer the phone correctly. They are used to answering their cell phone that only their friends are calling. We must teach students appropriate phone etiquette.
Students will need to learn how to answer the phone, ask someone to hold, and how to take a message. As students apply for jobs, they will also need to learn how to leave someone a voicemail and set up their voicemail. “Yo, it’s Tommy. I don’t want to talk right now, or I’m skateboarding.” This is not the best voicemail message for a boss to hear if they offer you a job.
These seem like simple tasks, but many students have never practiced them. There are several ways you can practice. Students can roll play different scenarios. They can also practice by evaluating correct and incorrect scenarios. Students find incorrect methods hilarious, and they are learning simultaneously. The Mind Trek Education Programs have lessons on career readiness and communication skills, including writing resumes. They are included in both our Middle School and High School programs.
Verbal Communication Skills
Verbal communication skills are key in nearly every job. Students will need to learn and practice how to introduce themselves. Many students have lived in a world full of texting, instant messaging, and emailing. They are uncomfortable in social interactions. Students must practice giving appropriate handshakes, making eye contact, and what to say when greeting others.
Customer service plays a significant role in most high school jobs. Students will be working in retail, restaurants, and other odd jobs. All of these jobs have customer service in common. Students must learn how to interact politely with others, even when disagreeing. What do you say when someone has a complaint? How do you listen before you speak?
Skits are a great way for students to have fun and practice customer service. Divide the class into groups. Each group should come up with a skit that either demonstrates excellent customer service or poor customer service. Students should then perform the skits in front of the class. After each skit, discuss customer service. What did they do well, and what should they have done differently? Role-playing is another great way for students to practice excellent customer service.
Email Communication Skills
Much of our communication today is electronic. That being said, students are woefully underprepared in their emailing skills. They frequently treat an email like a text message using slang, abbreviations, and no punctuation.
When teaching students how to write relevant emails, you will want to include subject lines, salutations, how to write the body, and valedictions. Students must also learn that abbreviations and slang are inappropriate in professional emails.
Practicing email writing can be fun. Students can practice by emailing you or their friends, or you can do a fun activity. My Mind Trek has a great lesson on writing emails called Email Mystery.
Social Media
Social media seems to be a permanent way of life now. It can be shocking to browse through a student’s social media account. As students are beginning to apply for jobs and colleges, this is a great time to do a social media revamp. Take time with your students to review their accounts. What will an employer think of them when they look at their history?
Remind students that what they post is permanent and a reflection of themselves. A great way to illustrate this point is to have students look at the top 10 posts on their feeds. What are their first impressions? What if they were hiring someone to work for their company?
Written Communication – Letters
As students begin jobs and careers, they will need written communication skills such as letter writing. When teaching students how to write letters, it is important to start by explaining why they will need to know this. Letters aren’t typically something they do or see. To generate buy-in to your lesson, you will want to help students understand why it is essential. Have students brainstorm reasons to write a letter.
Teach students the different types of letters and how they are structured. Talk about grammar and punctuation. Help students find example letters online.
A great way to make letter writing meaningful and impactful is to finish the lesson with a project. Have students write and send letters that mean something. They can write their legislator, the school board, younger students, or military pen pals.
SEL Unfiltered
Do you want to hear more? Check out the rest of our series on Career Readiness on our SEL Unfiltered podcast, wherever you stream your podcasts.
Check out other episodes in our Career Readiness series, including Why Career Readiness?, Exploration – Engaging with the Community, Virtual Career Exploration, and Landing the Job.
Game of the Week
We like to bring you a weekly game or activity on SEL Unfiltered. You can use the game with your students, in the classroom, or a small group. This week Kaitlin and I did Flashback Friday.
Flashback Friday is a great way to get students thinking in a positive direction and reviewing what they learned throughout the week. It helps them recall what they learned over the week. Listening to other students share something learned throughout the week also reminds other students of what they have done.
We love our Take 5 activities here at SEL Unfiltered, and this is no exception. You can do Flashback Friday as an exit ticket, a discussion topic in a small group, or to start class.
