In Asian schools, student success is no longer just a question of getting top subject grades. Over the last few months, attending different education events like GESS in Jakarta and Learning & Teaching Expo in Hong Kong and visiting markets across South East Asia, I’ve seen that their international schools are becoming aware of the region’s fast-growing soft skills gap.
We know automation is going to cut a swathe through tomorrow’s workforces but how are we going to help young people upskill for such a seismic change given the academic workloads they already face?
To achieve our goals and make an impact in life, we need to communicate effectively. No matter the level of our intelligence or academic achievements, if we can’t get our point across with clarity and confidence in a meeting or an interview, we’re at a disadvantage. That’s why verbal communication skills are vital.
A wide range of techniques are available for memorising a speech, which will help you to say what you want to say, but also boost your confidence and calm your nerves.
Is being a good public speaker high on your list of priorities? When it comes to business presentations, wedding speeches, lectures or safety demonstrations, having the right skills is obviously vital.
Learning how to keep an audience engaged is one of the most important parts of public speaking. We all know what it feels like to sit through a boring speech but making sure our own presentations are dynamic and engaging can be a challenge.
Fear of public speaking is a very common problem, and not without good reason. After all, delivering a speech or presentation in front of other people can feel like putting ourselves in the firing line.
Making an impact often involves being able to influence other people to help you achieve your goals or dreams. This is true whether you are in a leadership position or in everyday interactions with family, friends and colleagues.
Being assertive means taking control of your life, asking for what you want and saying no to what you don’t, while always considering the feelings of those around you. In this way you can change your life and the lives of others for the better.
Future skills, also known as soft skills, real-world skills or 21st-century skills, are essential to success in life. Skills such as communication, critical thinking, collaboration, problem-solving and decision-making are frequently cited by employers as having at least as much value as academic attainment.