1. Becoming a co-trainer on Talk about Talk Secondary
Induction Workshop
Becoming a co-trainer on Talk about Talk Secondary

2. Introductions
Your name
Your Year group

3. Learning outcomes Today we’ll:
introduce you to the idea of becoming a co-trainer
explain what language and communication skills are
help you think about your own strengths and difficulties with these skills
develop your skills and confidence
practise part of the Talk about Talk Secondary workshop
Please ask questions if you’re not sure 3

4. Learning outcomes Today we’ll:
introduce you to the idea of becoming a co-trainer
explain what language and communication skills are
help you think about your own strengths and difficulties with these skills
develop your skills and confidence
practise part of the Talk about Talk Secondary workshop
Please ask questions if you’re not sure 4

5. Starting Talk about Talk Secondary: Induction Workshop
Phase 1: Preparing for the Practice Workshop (Lessons 1–4)
Delivering the Practice Workshop (30 minutes) in school
Phase 2: Preparing for the Employers’ Workshop (Lessons 5–8)
Delivering the Employers’ Workshop (two hours)
Phase 3: Practising employability skills (Lessons 9–12) 5

6. Activity: Warm up Introduce yourself: situations
Watch me role-play these five different styles
Now look at your situation: which style would you use to introduce yourself?

7. The five styles Very unconfident 1 2 3 4 5 Extremely confident
No smiles
No gestures, arms wrapped up tight
Very quiet voice 2
Quick, nervous smiles
Tense body, no gestures
Quiet voice 3
Short smiles
Standing normally with handshake
Normal speaking volume 4
Big wide smiles
Standing straight with firm handshake
Some gestures
Slightly louder voice 5
Extremely confident
Long-lasting eye contact
Long-lasting wide smile
Standing very straight with shoulders back
Big gestures
Long handshake

8. Which skills do employers want most?
Literacy and numeracy
Teamwork
Positive attitude and initiative
Communication skills
Problem solving
Source: Asdan 2012 survey of employers 8

9. Which skills do employers want most?
Communication skills
Teamwork
Positive attitude and initiative
Literacy and numeracy
Problem solving
Source: Asdan 2012 survey of employers 9

10. Which skills do employers want most?
Employers say that communication skills are most important for new employees
But which communication skills do they mean?
In pairs, decide which of the following communication skills are Most and Least important to employers

11. Which skills do employers want most?
Remembering instructions
Confident talking to other people at work or people you don’t know
Listening carefully
Being friendly and approachable
Checks when not sure or confused
Speaking clearly
Knowing words used in the workplace
Using good non-verbal skills: facial expression, body language
Changing style of talking to suit different people or different situations
Looking interested when other people are talking
Working in a team
Explaining things carefully 11

12. Which skills do employers want most?
Rank the communication skills like this ...
Least important Most important
Be prepared to say why you decided on this ranking 12

13. Self-rating Now rate your own communication skills
This is called a baseline measure. You’ll do this again at the end of the course as a follow-up measure 1
I always find this difficult 2
I find this difficult most of the time 3
I’m OK at this – not easy or difficult 4
I find this easy most of the time 5
I always find this easy 13

14. Barrier game Sit in pairs like this
Person 1 looks at the picture and explains it to Person 2
Person 2 listens and tries to make a copy
Both partners check the end result
Now swap roles and try again with a new picture

15. Barrier game What did we learn?
When we explain something, start with the ‘big picture’ before talking about details
It’s good to check as you go along to make sure other people understand what you mean
Listeners need to ask questions too
It’s important to use a loud, clear voice
There’s no ‘right’ way: different people have different styles

16. Communication chain
The communication chain is an important element in both the Practice Workshop and the Employers’ Workshop
How will you explain the communication chain to an audience?

17. Introducing the communication chain …
… which is more like a chain reaction
Each ‘domino’ has to do its bit so that all the following ones can work too – and all in a split second!

18. Communication chain
1. Notice someone is speaking to you

19. Communication chain
2. Focus attention and listen

20. Communication chain 3. Hear and understand the words
4. Understand the sentences

21. Communication chain
5. Read other person’s expression and body language

22. Communication chain
6. Get the meaning

23. Communication chain
7. Have an idea about what to say

24. Communication chain
8. Know what’s appropriate

25. Communication chain 9. Find the words in your memory
10. Make sentences to say

26. Communication chain
11. Choose the right expression and body language to use

27. Communication chain
12. Programme your speech muscles
13. Speak!

28. Communication chain
14. Check other person’s expression and body language
Then keep the conversation going!
But many young people have difficulties with different parts of this chain

29. Presenting the communication chain
In small groups, decide how to explain the communication chain to an audience
Use your Handbook that shows the different parts of the chain
Try to include talking about parts of the chain you find difficult
When you have a plan, practise before showing it to the whole group
You might want to use role play to show what a break in the chain could look like 29

30. Presenting the communication chain
In small groups, decide how to explain the communication chain to an audience
Use your Handbook that shows the different parts of the chain
Try to include talking about parts of the chain you find difficult
When you have a plan, practise before showing it to the whole group
You might want to use role play to show what a break in the chain could look like 30

31. Body language
Which are examples of good/not good body language, and why?

32. Body language
Too close
Too distracted
Too defensive
Too nervous
Open

33. Introduce yourself This time, your introduction should include: Name
Age
Your home and family
Three things about you
Your ambition
Use your Prompt sheet: Introduce yourself to write key word reminders of what to say
Take turns to introduce yourself to others in the group 33

34. Introduce yourself Skills checklist Remember to say what is important
Use good body language
Make eye contact
Smile
Use a loud, clear voice
Be relaxed, and not rushed
X factor 34

35. Introduce yourself Skills checklist Remember to say what is important
Use good body language
Make eye contact
Smile
Use a loud, clear voice
Be relaxed, and not rushed
X factor 35

36. Closing thoughts After this session, which of these is correct?
I’m brilliant at communication so my future’s looking good
I’m rubbish at communication so I’ll be unemployed forever!
If communication skills improve during secondary school, then I’ll just wait for it to happen
I’m good at some of bits of communication and now I know other parts I need to work on

37. Closing thoughts After this session, which of these is correct?
I’m brilliant at communication so my future’s looking good
I’m rubbish at communication so I’ll be unemployed forever!
If communication skills improve during secondary school, then I’ll just wait for it to happen
I’m good at some of bits of communication and now I know other parts I need to work on

38. So what do I do now?
Know your own strengths and difficulties with language and communication
This is meta-linguistic skill: without this skill it’s difficult to improve
Talk to adults at school about how you can improve
Practise talking in different situations
Enjoy taking part in Talk about Talk Secondary 38

39. So what do I do now?
Know your own strengths and difficulties with language and communication
This is meta-linguistic skill: without this skill it’s difficult to improve
Talk to adults at school about how you can improve
Practise talking in different situations
Enjoy taking part in Talk about Talk Secondary 39

40. Any questions?
The end