GLOBAL HEARTS, a Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) guidebook, offers sample workshop ideas designed for instructors to use in SEL workshops, particularly for middle school international students. It is intended for any instructor interested in teaching SEL, with a specific focus on educators in under-resourced school settings and non-traditional educational environment such as home or community center. There are many schools with diverse student body but lack resources that address social-emotional well-being for those international students. Thus, this guidebook is especially recommended for middle school teachers, other educators, and even parents and caregivers who are eager to provide SEL for middle school international students but who may lack access to resources, guides, or partnerships in SEL education.
Through SEL, students acquire and apply the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to develop healthy identities, manage emotions, achieve personal and collective goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain supportive relationships, and make responsible and caring decisions (CASEL). It is essential for students as it supports their academic and social growth in both the short and long term, and it also helps students to create a safe and inclusive environment within schools.
As an international student, I also faced challenges when I first came to America for my undergraduate studies and had to adjust to totally new environment. If I, as a college student, needed resources and support for social and emotional stability, then middle school international students would likely need those resources and support even more.
Middle school is a pivotal time in early adolescence, marked by students’ deepening social relationships and identity formation. For international middle school students, SEL is particularly important, as they face unique challenges such as homesickness, culture shock, and communication barriers, all while navigating significant biological, cognitive, and behavioral changes. Implementing SEL specifically for international students is crucial to supporting their well-being and overall development.
My hope is that this guidebook not only provides teachers and educators with resources to facilitate SEL workshops, but also raises awareness about the social-emotional well-being of middle school international students, helping them experience a smoother transition as they adapt to a new environment.
CASEL. (2022). Fundamentals of SEL. CASEL. https://casel.org/fundamentals-of-sel/
