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Emotional Literacy Training

Lopa Mukherjee

Abstract
This essay adds practical details to the article, ‘An Emotional Literacy Programme’, that was printed in the previous
issue. It lists topics that will be covered sequentially and as classroom activities for each topic. Clippings from films and
excerpts from books are used to illuminate concepts. Case studies will be analysed and situations will be presented around
which participants will model interactions. Role-playing will be used to internalise the training. This is a blueprint for
an emotional literacy training programme for any community. It can be modified for specific groups such as nurses,
teachers, lawyers or parents. This article being a sequel to the first, will not explain the meanings of concepts that were
presented there, but will use the terms as though the reader understands them. Each topic can be taught over several
sessions, and each group can decide if they want to dive deeper into some of them.

Topic 1: why we are here at this training life’s journey better. Since we cannot escape
others and their influences on us, and ours on
We are assailed by forces that shape us at them, we would like to know others better too.
every moment. And we give back something The collective’s progress and the individual’s
of ourselves to this sum of forces that shapes progress are linked closely. When we reach a
everything else around us. Given this complex harmony with others, our personal journeys
and constant exchange, it is a wonder that we are smoother and at the same time we can
maintain a sense of self. That is why in the turn around and help others.
beginning the ego plays a large part in our
lives. As we mature, we free ourselves of its Before we start, let us discuss two codes of
insecurities, and mingle with others without conduct. This training is for collective betterment
feeling threatened. And yet, our existence and so, mutual respect is our number one goal.
in society is anything but smooth. A lot of Subsequent goals will be to love one another
it baffles us; a lot gives us pain. That is why and to feel unity and harmony. And also have
we are here together, to try to understand the fun learning. Our main topic in this training
underlying forces that surround us. is emotions — individual and inter-personal.
Sometimes you may want to share a personal
Through this training we hope to know experience or a conflict in your relationship.
ourselves better and be inspired to negotiate We would like to think about these together

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