Second Semester SY 2022-2023

EDUC16b – Building and Enhancing New Literacies

across the Curriculum

Module 6
SOCIAL LITERACY

Competencies:
At the end of this module, the learners should be able to:
1. define social literacy;
2. discuss social skills, their impact and strategies for improvement;
3. describe an emotionally intelligent person;
4. present ways for enhancing people skills;
5. identify ways on how to integrate social literacy in the lesson;
6. draw relevant life lessons and significant values form personal experience on
practicing social literacy; and
7. design an instructional material that can be used in integrating social literacy
in a related discipline.

Learning Content:

Introduction
The school is a social institution established for the contemplation of reality in a
profound, personal, informal and unstructured way. Teachers facilitate learning, teach
students and model certain types of acceptable behavior while developing them in all
aspects: Academically, physically, emotionally and socially. In performing such tasks,
teachers also relate to parents and other stakeholders. That is why understanding and
attaining social literacy is imperative among them.

Social Literacy

Social literacy entails the development of social skills, knowledge and positive
human values toward desire and ability in human beings to act and react positively and
responsibly in a wide range of complex social settings. It can be acquired through social
process of inquiry, values exploration and social decision-making that relate to the
acquisition of knowledge and understanding (Arthur, Davison and Stow, 2000).
In school, social literacy can be demonstrated by teachers in dealing with their
superiors, colleagues, parents, students and others, while for students, by way of
interaction and interrelation with the surroundings around them their peers, the media
and political influencers, technology agents, religious groups, school staft, family
members, etc.

LESSON 1: SOCIAL SKILLS

Social skills are aspects of social literacy. As such, these are integral part of
functioning in society. It involves good manners, communicating effectively with others,
being considerate of others’ feelings ana expressing personal needs. In fact, children
gain social skills through playing while adults obtain it by interrelating with others, both

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verbally (spoken language) and non-verbally (gestures, body language, facial
expressions, eye contact and appearance).
Social skills are also important in schools because they help build, maintain and
grow relationships of students with classmates, peers, teachers, students, and others,
while for teachers, with their superiors, colleagues, parents, students, and others. These
can be attained through: (1) gaining ideas, information, techniques and perspectives
from people with different areas of expertise; (2) providing their own perspective for the
benefit of others; (3) accomplishing tasks and working together toward shared goal; (4)
providing mutual support for difficult situations; (5) expanding network to learn about
and pursue new opportunities; (6) gaining feedback and referrals from people who can
personally attest to work, skills and qualities; and (7) making the school truly a healthy
and conducive learning environment.

Types of Social Skills

There are types of social skills that teachers can demonstrate among students to
attain a harmonious relationship with them.

1. Effective communication. It is the ability to communicate effectively and share

thoughts and ideas with students through group conversations, discussions, etc.
2. Conflict resolution. It is. the ability to get to the source of the problem and find
a workable solution by weighing both sides from those involved with the goal of
mediating for reconciliation.
3. Active listening. It is the ability to pay close attention to a student in times of
counseling, introspection and consultation.
4. Empathy. It is the ability to understand and identify the feelings of students in
times of difficulty and trouble.
5. Relationship management. It is the ability to maintain relationships and build
key connections with school stakeholders for the student's development.
6. Respect. It can be done by knowing when to initiate communication and respond
during interactions or even in times of heated arguments and confrontations.
7. Problem-solving skills. These involve seeking help, making effective decisions
and accepting consequences to derive better solutions to the problem.
8. Interpersonal skills. These include the abilities of sharing, joining activities,
asking for permission and waiting for one's turn in every tacet or School
undertakings.

Improving Social Skills

Social skills can be improved by focusing on sustaining desirable attitudes and

eliminating those undesirable ones through modeling, role-playing and performance
feedback mechanisms.

In addition, one may consider: (1) maintaining eye. contact, (2) using proper body
language; (3) knowing the difference between being assertive and being aggressive; (4)
selecting effective communication channels; (5) being flexible; (6) accepting criticism
without being defensive; (7) remaining positive at all times; and (8) being teachable and
a good student in most instances.

Likewise, other ways that may help are as follows: (1) Behave as a social person;
(2) Start small if necessary; (3) Ask open-ended questions; (4) Encourage others to talk
about themselves; (5) Create goals for yourself; (6) Offer compliments generously; (7)

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Read books about social skills; (8) Practice good manners; (9) Pay attention to your body
language; (10) Join a social skills support group; (11) Stay up to date on current events;
and (12) Identify and replace negative thoughts.

Impact of Social Skills

Possessing social skills results to: (1) better relationships; (2) better
communication; (3) greater efficiency (4) advanced career prospects; and (5) increased
over-all happiness

LESSON 2: EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE (EQ)

Emotional intelligence can bring about maintaining a healthy and purposeful
relationship with others that may best depict a socially literate person.

Goleman (1996) defines Emotional intelligence (EQ) as the ability (1) recognize,
understand and manage own emotions, and (2) recognize, understand and influence the
emotions of others.

It is being aware that emotions can drive behavior and impact people (positively
and negatively), and learning how to manage those emotions, both one's own and others'
when under pressure, especially in times of (1) giving and receiving feedback; (2) meeting
tight deadlines, (3) dealing with challenging relationships; (4) not having enough
resources; (5) dealing with change; and (6) experiencing setbacks and failure.

Strategies for Enhancing Emotional Intelligence

Goleman (1995) laid down ways of enhancing emotional intelligence in the light
of understanding and managing emotions that teachers need to know and understand.

1. Think about feelings. A person has to be sensitive to one's and other's feelings
to come up with the right manner of approach or appropriate response. For
example, a teacher has to be aware of his/her students background or situation
that may trigger negative emotions. In that case, he/she would know the right
approach when dealing with sensitive issues in class.
2. Pause. This is about taking a moment to stop and think before doing anything to
refrain from resorting to an unsound decision at the height of anger. For example,
at the peak of anger with a student who commits violations, a teacher may gently
pause for a while and take a moment of silence to rethink and cool down before
jumping to any decision in order to avoid untoward consequences.
3. Strive to control one's thoughts. This is controlling the reaction to emotions by
focusing on one's thoughts in harmony with goals and values. For example,
instead of overreacting to a certain incident or situation in class, try to control
negative thoughts to see a myriad of colors at the end of the rainbow among
students. As such, try to find beauty in all things despite not-so-good
circumstances that may happen.
4. Benefit from criticism. Criticism, even not delivered in a favorable way, is an
opportunity to learn and it gives idea on how others think about you. For
example, when a senior teacher gives negative feedback on your work, instead of
taking it personally against him/her, gratefully accept it with humility and
appreciation, just think that it is for your improvement.
5. Show authenticity. This is saying what we mean with what we say and we have
to stick on to our values and principles. For example, in times of confrontation

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 with parents, as teachers, we should clearly express our side with respect and
sincerity while consistently upholding on to the principle and truth behind the
issue in order to avoid resorting to heated argument and conflict at the end.
6. Demonstrate empathy. Whenever we show empathy to others, such as
understanding their thoughts and feelings, we can easily establish a connection
with them. As teachers we should reach out to students who are in their worse
situations and try to understand them and feel as if we were in the same boat.
7. Praise others. This is by way of acknowledging and appreciating others toward
attaining self-fulfillment and building trust. For example, teachers should give
acknowledgment and praise to students for their deeds that are worth
commending.
8. Give helpful feedback. Although negative feedback may hurt one's feelings, at
some point, it can be turned constructive for one's improvement. For example,
when we receive negative feedback from our superiors, we have to take it as a
challenge toward becoming a better and stronger person.
9. Apologize. Saying sorry demonstrates humility, a quality that will naturally win
others as you value the relationship more than the ego. For example, whenever
we commit mistakes in teaching, whether big or small, there Is nothing to lose
when we apologize, even at times, doing It may seem to be very difficult.
10. Forgive and forget. Forgiving and forgetting prevent others from holding
emotions and allowing one to move forward. For example, when a student or a
colleague hurts us, we should be ready to forgive and let go of the pains that
somehow cause us.
11. Keep our commitments. The habit of keeping on things, either big or small,
develops a strong reputation reliability and trustworthiness. For example, when
we are given tasks in the school, make sure that we commit ourselves, our time
and efforts into it. Remember, opportunities may only come once, therefore, grab
every opportunity that may come along our way for it may never come again.
12. Help others. One way to positively win others is through helping them because
listening to and helping them can build trust and inspire them to follow. For
example, in every school activity, we have to find ways to help others accomplish
their tasks successfully. In return, they will be grateful to us.
13. Protect ourselves from emotional sabotage. This is being wise enough in
protecting Ourselves when others attempt to manipulate our emotions for
personal sake. For example, when we feel that someone has been excessively or
wrongly controlling our actions, feelings and decisions in school, stop it in any
right but subtle and courteous way possible.

Recommended Tools in Enhancing Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence can be enhanced in school with the help of the following
tools and strategies.

1. Emotional Literacy Workshop. This will help teachers to communicate with

students, recognize and manage emotions and increase self -awareness.
2. Emotional Literacy Museum. It is a self-directed learning experience that
teaches about the physiology of emotions, emotional regulation, and emotional
literacy.
3. Mixed Emotions Cards. It is a beautiful deck of "tarot-like" cards of feelings
(labeled with feelings and synonyms).
4. eMotion Cards. It is an evocative, playful moon face illustration of emotions
(open-ended without labels).

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 5. Biodots. It is a simple reminder that emotions are part of our physiology.
6. Bingo Emotions. It is typically a classic "bingo" game played with emotions.
7. Feeling Faces. These are photos of real people and data about how survey
respondents evaluated each picture.
8. Six Seconds Emotional Intelligence Assessment. It provides feedback about h
the way one uses EQ and how to improve in this area.
9. The Zoo: Animal Workshop. It is an activity that intends to imitate an animal
behavior and gesture that ends with reflections and group sharing
10. Face Workshop. It is an activity, in which partners face each other while showing
different facial expressions and qualities that ends with reflections.
11. The Machine Transformer. Participants in groups have to transform into an
assigned machine or vehicle, of which each member shall comprise different
parts, deemed essentials and equally important that usually ends up with
interactions and reflections.
12. Tower Building. Groups will be tasked to build a tower using pop sticks and
straws. The goal is to make the tallest and strongest tower of all. This will end up
with interactions, sharing, open forums and patching of emotional barriers.
13. Build Me a House. The participants in groups will be tasked to build a house
using any available material around them. The goal is to make the strongest
house. Then, the facilitator will suddenly destroy the house made by the group
and observe the members' emotions and reactions and let them express their
feelings and thoughts. At the end, each one will draw realizations, lessons and
values for reflection.
14. Internalization Activity. This is an activity that helps participants to reflect on
the narrations of the facilitator with a background music in a dim and candle
lighted room. Everyone can express his/her emotions and feelings of resentment,
remorse, agony, disappointment, and sadness.
15. Mirroring and Unmasking Activity. Each participant shall prepare a piece of
paper and put it at his/her back. In a circular formation, everyone has to write
that person's negative attitude on that paper. Everyone will be given time to see
those feedbacks and reflect on them while they are also given a chance to express
themselves. These negative feedbacks will be called masks to be torn-off and
burned at the end of the activity and they will be led to a prayer for self-renewal
and rejuvenation.

Ten Characteristics of an Emotionally Intelligent Person (Connors, 2018)

The following are indicators and manifestations of an emotionally intelligent

person that have to be considered and demonstrated in schools.

1. Empathy. Empathy is the capacity to understand or feel what another person is

experiencing from within their frame of reference.
Greater Good Science Center in UC Berkeley laid down two different types
of empathy, namely: (a) Affective empathy refers to the sensations and feelings
that one gets in response to others’ emotions including mirroring what that
person is feeling, or just feeling stressed when he/she detects another is fear or
anxiety; (6) Cognitive empathy (sometimes called “perspective taking”)- refers to
one's ability to identify and understand other people's emotions.
2. Self-awareness. It is the art of understanding one's self, recognizing the stimuli
that he/she faces and preparing how to manage him/herself, both in a proactive
and reactive manner.

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 3. Curiosity. It is one's willingness to learn and improve. When one is curious,
he/she is passionate and therefore, he/she is driven to desire to be at his/her
best.
4. Analytical mind. It pertains to being critical thinker that analyzes and processes
all new information that comes his/her way and see if they can extract ways to
improve.
5. Belief. It is the power of believing in one's self, both at present and the future. It
is a matter of affirming that people and things in one's life happen for a reason
and that everything will ultimately turn out to be good.
6. Needs and wants. It is something to discern between things that one needs
versus things that he/she just wants and establishing needs prior to fulfilling
wants.
7. Passion. It is the natural desire, instinct, drive, ambition and motivated love for
a subject or someone. More so, it brings positive energy that helps sustain and
inspire one to keep going.
8. Optimism. It is about maintaining a positive attitude that may increase one's
opportunities, improve relationships and think clearly and constructively.
9. Adaptability. It is an important recognition and the ability to make or remake
decisions in one's best interest. It is also determining when to continue his/her
course, or when is the time for a change.
10. Desire to help others succeed. It is becoming interested and appreciative of the
success and achievement of others.

LESSON 3: PEOPLE SKILLS

Like emotional intelligence and social skills, people skills have been widely used
in demonstrating social literacy at home, in school or anywhere that a person may be.

According to Wikipedia, people skills are patterns of behavior and behavioral

interactions. For Thompson (2009), this is an area of exploration about how a person
behaves and how he/she is perceived irrespective of his/her thinking and feeling. Honey
(2001) defines it as the dynamics between personal ecology (cognitive, affective, physical
and spiritual dimensions) and its function with other people's personality styles in
numerous environments (life events, institutions, challenges, etc.).

On the other hand, people skills are tools used to communicate and interact
effectively with others. Therefore, individuals with strong people skills are able to predict
behavior, relate to others and socialize easily.

People skills can also be defined in three sets of abilities: (1) personal effectiveness
or about how one comes across with others, (2) interaction ability or how well one
predicts and decodes behavior, and (3) intercede easily or ability to lead, influence and
build bridges between people.
Moreover, people skills are the ability to accept, appreciate and admire others on
a personal or professional level. Good people skills extend to the ability to listen and
empathize with others, as well as work toward common goals with them. Therefore,
these are sets of skills that enable a person to get along with others, communicate ideas
effectively, resolve conflicts and achieve personal or professional goals.

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 In general, Portland Business Journal describes people skills as (Rifkin, 2009):

1. Ability to effectively communicate, understand and empathize

2. Ability to interact with others respectfully and develop productive working
relationship to minimize conflict and maximize rapport
3. Ability to build sincerity and trust, moderate behaviors (less impulsive) and
enhance agreeableness

Educational Impact of People Skills

People skills are important for teachers in effective classroom management.

Knowing how to communicate and teach people instead of simply teaching their subjects
will help make a difference in the classroom (Bolton, 2009). Accordingly, almost 50
percent of classroom success lies on effective interpersonal relationships, while the
other 50 percent lies within academic skills (Boyle, 2011). This is because teachers tend
to interact and relate with students. Therefore, they need to learn how to practice these
people skills effectively in order to create a healthy and conducive learning atmosphere
in the classroom.
In general, people skills are an essential part of work, life and social success.
When one has strong people skills, he/she is able to: (1) pitch him/herself; (2) overcome
social anxiety; (3) communicate ideas; and (4) influence others positively.

Strategies in Obtaining Good People Skills

McQuerrey (2019) presents the following strategies in maintaining good people

skills which are essential in a meaningful, joyful and purpose-driven life that teachers
also need to know.

1. Good communication skills. Strong people skills in the communication area

include the ability to take in information, clarity comments and participate in
effective verbal and written exchanges.
2. Conflict resolution skills. Having the ability to mediate disputes and resolve
conflict among others is an important personal and professional skill. Hence,
conflict resolution involves the ability to clarify a specific dispute, listen to
perspectives in a non-judgmental manner and offer suggestions for action.
3. The value of patience. Patience is an exceptional people skill that is valuable in
every profession. It involves being able to maintain an even temper, repeat and
explain information as necessary and control anger in even the most trying
situations.
4. Tolerance and understanding. Having tolerance and understanding for the
differences of others leads to success. Tolerant people have the ability to accept
differences, even when they don't personally agree with them.
In general, there are 5 A's to Improve people skills, namely: (1) acceptance; (2)
appreciation; (3) approval, (4) admiration; and (5) attention.

Ten Essential People Skills to Succeed

The following is the list of soft skills for one's self-reflection and examination.

1. Being socially assertive. Social assertiveness is essential or conserving social

energy in the right ways. People with high social assertiveness have more focused
social energy and more clarify in their interactions

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 2. Crafting a memorable presence. People with great presence take it easy in
making connections and are extremely good at rapport building. Those with a
strong presence can attract others, are well-remembered and are likable.
3. Mastering communication. This is knowing how to present one's self and, in
turn, gets one's message across.
4. Sustaining lasting confidence. People, who can sustain lasting confidence are
able to conquer their shyness, avoid awkwardness and get tendencies through
their anxiety or overcome any nervous
5. Being an excellent conversationalist. This is essential in communicating and
interacting with others. Excellent conversationalists are people whom others may
be fond of listening to and discussing with. Most interactions happen in three
levels: (1) The First Five Minutes: This is the first impression and the time to
decide if someone is worth getting to know; (2) The First Five Hours: This is
moving past first impressions in rapport building; and (3) The First Five Days:
This is the final and ultimate level of trust and connection. Thus, a conversation
is the key to moving up these three levels.
6. Being highly likable. Likability is an important facet of trust by through being
authentic or genuine with their true selves.
7. Being exceptional at decoding emotions. People, who are good at reading
people, are exceptionally strong at knowing how others think and feel.
8. Pitching ideas. Pitching is a very important people skill because it happens all
the time when one is asked for his/her opinion and in introducing
himself/herself.
9. Being charismatic. Charisma is the perfect blend of two essential people skills
traits such as warmth and competence.
10. Being an influential leader. Leaders in both personal, social and professional
life are able to gain camaraderie.

Integrating Socio-Emotional Literacy into the Curriculum

Schools that want to teach socio-emotional learning but confined with classroom
time can take a social, emotional and moral inventory of what students are currently
learning by involving: (1) a person's emotional life; (2) an ethical dilemma; (3) a situation
calling for compassion; (4) a societal challenge; (5) the ethical use of knowledge; (6)
cross-group interactions; and (7) an implicit prosocial concept.

By integrating social literacy in the curriculum content, teachers do not only give
students opportunities to practice their social-emotional skills, but also show them how
integral these skills are in their daily lives.

Hence, reviewing curricula through social, emotional and moral lens is like a
habit of mind that the more it is done, the easier it gets. Obviously, the greatest benefit
of teaching lessons like these is that students can begin to examine their education,
their decisions, their interests and their relationships through this lens, while helping
them cultivate a more thoughtful and discerning approach to life.

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 SYNTHESIS

Social Literacy
• Social literacy is the development of social skills, knowledge and positive values
that engender the desire and ability in human beings to act positively and
responsibly in a wide range of complex social settings. Social skills are an integral
part of functioning in society as they involve good manners, communicating
effectively with others, being considerate of others' feelings and expressing
personal needs.
• Emotional Intelligence (EQ) is the ability to recognize, understand and manage
one's emotions, and influence one’s emotions of others manifested through
different characteristics.
• People skills are patterns of behavior and behavioral interactions and how they are
perceived irrespective of their thinking and feeling. They are tools to communicate
and interact effectively with others.
• Integrating social literacy into the curriculum would contribute to the holistic
development of learners.

Prepared by:

CHARMAINE RUTH G. ABELLA, MAEd

Instructor I

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