DEVELOPING SOCIO-EMOTIONAL SKILLS OF PROSPECTIVE TEACHERS THROUGH TEAM WORK ON STUDY PROJECTS

Abstract

This report presents an innovative model of working on study projects in academic environment, which provides opportunities for development and improvement of socio-emotional skills of prospective teachers. Attention is focused on the process of developing the main components of emotional intelligence - self-control, self-knowledge, motivation, empathy, and social skills. The theoretical summaries and conclusions of the report are based on the results of an empirical study conducted with students from various pedagogical specialties at the Faculty of Pedagogy of the South-West University "Neofit Rilski" - Blagoevgrad. The study was conducted this year (2017) and it is part of the project "Importance of Socio-emotional Skills for the Successful Professional Realization of the Teacher". The data on the current level of socio-emotional skills collected during the course of the empirical study demonstrates the need to pay special attention to the problem of developing soft skills of students who are preparing for a career in the field of education. One of the possible practical solutions is teamwork on research and creative projects. Through interactivity and dialogue prospective teachers develop important professional and personal qualities, including social and emotional skills.