Characteristics and Emotional Intelligence

The Characteristics

	Self-esteem and emotional intelligence.
	Units, learning outcomes and performance criteria.
	Individual and group work.
	Negotiated curriculum.
	Projects and activities as context.
	Informal and practical learning through experience.
	Flexible forms of assessment.
	Evidence collected in portfolios.
	National accreditation.

Emotional intelligence
Emotional health is fundamental to effective learning. Researchers have concluded that people who manage their own feelings well and deal effectively with others are more likely to live contented and productive lives. Such people are also more likely to retain information and use it more effectively than dissatisfied people. This has obvious implications for learners of all ages, but it is especially important for young people as they grapple with new experiences and their own emotional responses.

Emotional intelligence (sometimes described as emotional intelligence or EQ in contrast to intellectual intelligence or IQ) can be divided into five areas:

	Self-awareness
	Self-management
	Motivation

… which are Personal Competences, and

	Empathy
	Managing relationships

… which are Social Competences

	Self-awareness is about knowing your emotions, recognising feelings as they occur, and discriminating between them
	Self-management is the ability to handle feelings so they are relevant to the current situation and you react appropriately
	Motivation is about 'gathering up' your feelings and directing yourself towards a goal, despite self-doubt, inertia or impulsiveness
	Empathy is the ability to recognise feelings in others and tune into their verbal and non-verbal cues
	Managing relationships is about handling interpersonal interaction, conflict resolution, and negotiations

Emotional intelligence is the ability to understand and deal with our emotions (and those of others around us) and with their consequences. It inserts thinking between the feeling which prompts the action:

Emotional intelligence is an important weapon for individuals to use in the fight against social exclusion. It is necessary for:

	increasing the potential of individuals (and, consequently, of groups, communities and organisations)
	creating the building blocks of autonomy and sensitivity which are necessary in meeting the challenges of adult and working life
	overcoming some of the road-blocks which tend to lie in the way of so many young people on their journey to independence.