Introduction
Self-advocacy is a crucial skill for high school students as they prepare to enter the workforce. It involves speaking up about one’s needs and knowing when to do so. Educators can play a significant role in teaching students how to self-advocate effectively, ensuring they become confident and assertive individuals in the workplace. This blog post will explore an easy no-prep activity, discussion questions, and related skills to help educators teach self-advocacy to their high school students.
No-Prep Activity
A simple yet effective no-prep activity to teach self-advocacy is role-playing. Divide your students into pairs or small groups, and assign each group a scenario where they need to speak up about their needs or concerns at work. Encourage the students to practice using indirect language, respectful tone of voice, and softening strong opinions, as mentioned in the prompt. After the role-playing exercise, have the students reflect on their experience and discuss what they learned about effective self-advocacy.
Discussion Questions
- Why is self-advocacy important for high school students as they prepare to enter the workforce?
- What are some common challenges that high school students may face when trying to self-advocate at work?
- How can using indirect language and a respectful tone of voice contribute to successful self-advocacy?
- What strategies can students use to manage their emotions when they feel the need to self-advocate at work?
- How can educators support students in developing their self-advocacy skills?
Related Skills
Besides self-advocacy, there are other essential skills that students should develop to become successful in the workplace. Some of these related skills include:
- Active listening: Paying full attention to others, understanding their points, and asking questions when necessary.
- Conflict resolution: Addressing disagreements and finding solutions that benefit all parties involved.
- Assertiveness: Expressing one’s thoughts and feelings confidently without being aggressive or disrespectful.
- Communication skills: Effectively conveying information, ideas, and opinions to others in a clear and concise manner.
- Teamwork: Collaborating with others to achieve common goals and contribute to a positive work environment.
Next Steps
Teaching self-advocacy skills to high school students is an essential aspect of their personal and professional development. By incorporating the principles of Social-Emotional Learning, educators can better prepare their students for the challenges they may face in the workplace. To access free samples of self-advocacy skill materials and other relevant resources, sign up at Everyday Speech Sample Materials.
