Empathic Listening Curriculum
The Empathic Listening Curriculum is designed to help secondary students (grades 9-12) develop essential communication skills, with a focus on empathic listening, social awareness, and relationship-building. The curriculum includes six core lessons that build upon each other, integrating social-emotional learning (SEL) competencies and aligning with the Chapman Foundation for Caring Communities’ mission.
Curriculum Structure
Grade Level: 9-12
Total Lessons: 6
Duration: Each lesson is designed to be delivered in a 45-60 minute session.
Instructional Strategies: Interactive activities, role-playing, group discussions, self-reflection, and real-world application exercises.
Lesson Plan
#1
What is Empathic Listening and Why Does It Matter?
Objective: By the end of the lesson, students will define empathic listening and identify two personal goals for improving their listening skills, as measured by a written reflection.
Key Concepts: Empathy, listening vs. hearing, the importance of listening in relationships and leadership.
SEL Competencies: Social Awareness & Self-Awareness.
#2
What is My Communication Style?
Objective: By the end of the lesson, students will identify their communication style using a standardized assessment and articulate how it influences their listening skills, as demonstrated in a group discussion.
Key Concepts: Communication styles, self-awareness in communication, strengths and areas for growth.
SEL Competencies: Self Awareness & Relationship Skills
#3
How Does the Communication Cycle Work?
Objective: By the end of the lesson, students will diagram the communication cycle and identify at least three barriers to effective communication, as demonstrated through a group activity.
Key Concepts: Communication cycle, sender-receiver model, feedback loop, barriers to communication.
SEL Competencies: Relationship Skills & Responsible Decision Making
#4
How Do Nonverbal Cues Affect Communication?
Objective: By the end of the lesson, students will identify at least five nonverbal communication cues in a video/scenario analysis and interpret how their nonverbal communication influences others and their interactions.
Key Concepts: Nonverbal communication, body language, facial expressions, tone of voice.
SEL Competencies: Social Awareness & Self Management
#5
What is Reflective Listening and How Can It Improve My Relationships?
Objective: By the end of the lesson, students will demonstrate the five reflective listening skills in a paired practice sessions and reflect on how they will use the four commitments that underpin reflective listening in their relationships.
Key Concepts: Reflective listening, paraphrasing, summarizing, validating feelings.
SEL Competencies: Relationship Skills & Social Awareness
#6
How Can I Handle Confrontation Effectively?
Objective: By the end of the lesson, students will apply strategies for effective confrontation by role-playing a conflict scenario and successfully managing the confrontation using the three move
Key Concepts: Confrontation, conflict resolution, assertiveness, empathic communication in disagreements.
SEL Competencies: Responsible Decision Making & Relationship Skills