Understand key concepts and current perspectives
Explain the main ideas, opportunities and limitations connected to soft skills, empathy, feedback and professional presence.
Erasmus+ teacher training course
Soft Skills for Teachers
What makes a teacher memorable beyond subject knowledge?
Practical interpersonal skills for confident, collaborative teaching.
Target group: Teachers, trainers, adult educators, school staff, school leaders and other education professionals from all educational levels.
- Activity type
- Physical mobility
- Duration
- 1 week
- Language
- English
- Equipment
- No special equipment required
Practical Soft Skills for Confident and Collaborative Teaching
The term soft skills includes communication, empathy, adaptability, teamwork, confidence and the ability to respond constructively to difficulty. These skills are sometimes described as natural personality traits. In practice, they can be observed, discussed and developed through experience and reflection.
Participants take part in communication exercises, group challenges and peer feedback. They explore how assumptions, habits and professional presence influence classrooms and teams. Activities include expressing needs and expectations, recognising different perspectives, responding to tension and adapting communication while keeping appropriate boundaries. The course creates space to recognise existing strengths as well as realistic areas for growth.
Participants finish with an activity for supporting interpersonal skills in learners or colleagues and a personal action plan for applying selected skills more consciously in their professional practice.
Learning outcomes
What You Will Learn
Analyse professional practice
Identify strengths, barriers and development priorities in relation to soft skills, empathy, feedback and professional presence in a real educational context.
Use practical tools and methods
Apply communication practice, reflection and peer feedback through guided activities, collaborative tasks and structured reflection.
Design an adaptable learning response
Create a classroom, team or organisational activity that can be adapted to participants’ own learners and setting.
Plan responsible next steps
Set realistic actions for implementation, including ways to gather feedback and refine practice.
Six-day programme
Course Schedule
Day 1Starting points and shared language
Welcome, needs mapping and course compass
Participants introduce their contexts, identify their goals and map current experiences connected to soft skills, empathy, feedback and professional presence.
Shared vocabulary and key questions
Participants build a common language through short inputs, pair dialogue and a visual question wall.
Practice snapshot
Participants analyse a short case or example and identify what they would keep, question or change.
Day 2Methods, models and examples
Method gallery
Participants rotate through concise examples, models and tools connected to soft skills, empathy, feedback and professional presence, recording practical possibilities.
Guided skill lab
Participants practise communication practice, reflection and peer feedback in small groups with trainer guidance and structured prompts.
Reflection and transfer notes
Participants capture what feels relevant, challenging or adaptable for their own learners and setting.
Day 3Practice and collaborative experimentation
Collaborative challenge
Small international groups work on an authentic challenge and apply selected tools in a purposeful task.
Create, test and revise
Participants develop a short activity, resource or approach, then improve it through testing and feedback.
Learning dialogue
Participants discuss different educational contexts and identify adaptations that make the work more realistic.
Day 4Inclusion, challenge and real-world cases
Case clinic
Participants examine a complex scenario, identify assumptions and consider inclusive, responsible responses.
Perspective exchange
Participants use structured dialogue to explore different learner, colleague and community perspectives.
Practical safeguards
Participants identify boundaries, risks and support strategies relevant to soft skills, empathy, feedback and professional presence.
Day 5Design studio and peer feedback
Design your own application
Participants create a classroom, team or organisational plan using communication practice, reflection and peer feedback.
Peer feedback studio
Participants share work-in-progress, ask focused questions and receive practical feedback from colleagues.
Improve for implementation
Participants revise their design for feasibility, inclusion and clear evidence of learning.
Day 6Course Closure & Cultural Activities
- Reflecting on learning outcomes and key takeaways
- Awarding of Certificates of Attendance
- Cultural excursion and local heritage experience
- Informal networking and exchange of best practices
Course foundations
Recommended Reading and Theoretical Influences
- European Commission (2019). Key Competences for Lifelong Learning.
- OECD (2021). Beyond Academic Learning.
- Goleman, D. (1995). Emotional Intelligence.
- Hattie, J. (2012). Visible Learning.
Completing the course
Evaluation, Recognition and Practical Information
Learning is supported throughout the week through participation, reflection, practical activities and constructive feedback.
Evaluation of Learning Outcomes
- Format
- Continuous assessment based on class participation, practical work and self-assessment.
- Criteria
- Active participation in discussions, reflection, collaborative activities and practical course tasks.
- Procedures
- Trainer observation, participant reflection, feedback and attendance.
Recognition of Learning Outcomes
- Conditions
- Attendance at a minimum of 80% of the course and active participation in the learning activities.
- Recognition
- Learning outcomes are recognised through participant reflection, trainer feedback and completion of the course activities.
- Documentation
- A Certificate of Attendance documenting the course title, dates, venue and learning outcomes.
Learning approach
Practical, Collaborative and Learner-Centred
The course combines hands-on workshops, real-world examples, simulations, guided reflection and collaborative activities. Participants exchange good practices, work in international groups and develop ideas that can be adapted to their own professional context.
Optional cultural, social and networking activities support local engagement, intercultural learning and professional collaboration.
Before you travel
Practical Details
Duration
One week, normally comprising 25 academic hours.
Weekly Schedule
Classes take place from Monday to Friday, in the morning or afternoon. Saturday is reserved for cultural activities.
Final Timetable
The detailed timetable will be sent at least two weeks before the beginning of the course.
Preparation
No special preparation is required unless stated in the course programme. Any required materials or equipment will be communicated before the course.
Certification
Participants who meet the attendance requirements receive a Certificate of Attendance.
Course Fee
The standard fee is €480. See what the course fee includes.
Alternative arrangements: Other course durations and schedules may be arranged on request.
Erasmus+ funding: Course fees and mobility costs may be supported through an eligible sending organisation's Erasmus+ grant. Eligibility and final funding decisions remain with the beneficiary organisation and its National Agency. Read our Erasmus+ KA1 funding guide.
Administrative support: Understanding Academy provides course programmes, learning outcomes, registration documentation and certificates. Participants and sending organisations remain responsible for transport, accommodation and grant management.
Plan your Erasmus+ mobility
Ready to Join This Course?
Check the upcoming confirmed dates or register your interest. We will contact you with information about availability and the next steps.
Need funding information? Read our Erasmus+ KA1 funding guide.