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Program Type: Full-Time
Course Length: 1 Semester (12 Weeks)
This intensive full time course is designed to train and certify qualified individuals to become skilled coaches and conduct life skills programs. Life skills involve communication and problem solving skills. A life skills coach is a trained group facilitator and personal coach, able to bring students and clients to competency in five areas of life responsibility including self, relationships and family, education and employment, leisure and community. Our program is based on the Saskatchewan NewStart model and stresses cultural awareness.
The Life Skills Coach Certificate course consists of training in four major areas of competence: creative problem solving, structured human relations, coaching techniques and life skills course content.
Course Content
Introduction to Basic Communication Skills
Coaches in training learn enhanced skills in listening and attending, asking questions, checking for understanding, verbal, non-verbal and symbolic communication and group cooperation.
Module One - Interpersonal Skills Training
Participants are exposed to primary life skills, including active listening, identifying and expressing feelings, empathy, checking assumptions, giving and receiving feedback, creating rapport, identifying values, harmful and helpful group behaviours, and other skills necessary to facilitate individual and group growth.
Module Two - Problem Solving Skills
Students apply primary Life Skills to learn more complex skills. These include identifying problems, assessing needs, identifying resources, generating solutions, determining criteria for success, making action plans, critical thinking, balanced self-determinism, goal setting and evaluation.
Module Three - Relationship And Family Skills
Training includes the dynamics of opening, developing and closing relationships of all types, identifying strengths of the family, communicating with children, blended family dynamics, parenting skills, sexuality and communication, relationship issues, needs assessment and support systems.
Coaching Competencies Taught
- Group Facilitation
Students learn the theory and methods of group process from the unique perspective of being both student and coach.
- Lesson Planning
Participants acquire the practical skills to write behavioural objectives using the five-phase lesson model.
- Lesson Presentation
Coaches in training learn the techniques to present lessons, including role playing, discussion, behavioural counselling, and "fishbowl" observations. Practice includes experience in peer coaching as well as a practicum in a student life skills group.
- Lesson Sequencing
Although flexibility is encouraged, students learn to present basic skills before advanced skills.
- Lesson Adaptation
Participants acquire the ability to adapt lessons to different groups, cultures and agencies.
- Use Of Resources
Coaches in training are given information and skill practice in using modern teaching aids such as audio and video equipment, guest speakers and other community resources.
- Diagnosis And Evaluation
Students are responsible for recognizing both individual and group needs.
- Evaluation And Report Writing
Participants are required to evaluate and report on peer progress
Trained Life Skills Coaches are able to...
- Define life skills, explain relevant theories, principles and methods, define the role of a coach, articulate the ethics of coaching (theory & knowledge)
- Become aware of their effect on others, appropriately express and share feelings and self-disclose, demonstrate a positive self-concept, distinguish their own needs from those of others, remain accountable for their own feelings, attitudes and behaviours, display fairness and recognize their limits (human relations and basic communication)
- Assist clients to enhance self-concept and self esteem, help clients adjust to change, detect lack of understanding, identify and resolve interpersonal problems, encourage independence and self-confidence, facilitate closure of client's issues, demonstrate skills using real-life problems, transfer skills to everyday life (individual counselling skills)
- Understand and deal effectively with group dynamics, plan activities with groups, uphold acceptable standards of behaviour and delegate responsibility (group dynamics)
- Understand different learning styles, communicate at the learner's level, motivate students, present lessons in a five-phase format, sequence lessons appropriately, adapt lessons to different groups, select appropriate techniques and learning aids, set behavioural objectives (lesson preparation and presentation)
- Define goals and expected outcomes, explain evaluation process, evaluate individual lessons, analyze student progress, terminate inappropriate trainees, assist learners to devise self-evaluation strategies (evaluation skills)
The Coach As Teacher
Modern theories of teaching and learning rely heavily on experiential, problem-based methods of instruction. In management training courses, instructors are often called "coaches." The coach guides individuals in creating their own search for knowledge and skills. Contrary to traditional methods of teaching, the coach does not have all the answers. Individuals are instead assisted in finding their own solutions. The emphasis, then, is on skills for learning and finding information. Life long learning is encouraged.
Method of Instruction
The primary method of instruction is experiential learning. This technique involves "learning by doing." Participants are exposed to lesson content and process and given an opportunity to practice the skills until they reach competency. The model requires a precise behavioural objective and guides the coach through the five phases of a life skills lesson: stimulus, evocation, objective enquiry, skill practice and evaluation. In addition to the experiential emphasis, students receive a thorough exposure to life skills theory.
The Concept of "SKILL" in Life Skills
In life skills theory true learning is defined as behavioural change. This occurs when learners have a clear description of the new behaviour and a distinct understanding of those conditions under which that behaviour is appropriate. A "skill" has a definite purpose and can be described in terms of observable behaviour.
Life Skills Coach Trainers
Instructors at Rhodes Career College are fully certified and chosen from life skills coaches actively working in the field. This ensures that the training is relevant and takes into account the current labour market. We draw from the fields of education, counselling, and some of the more recent innovations in human growth and development.
Program Dates
Summer: July 5, 2010 to September 24, 2010
Fall: September 27, 2010 to December 17, 2010
Contact our admissions office for information on the next available course date.
Cost
Tuition: $3,750
Books: $60
Where to go from here...
To learn more about this program, we recommend that you book an admissions consultation with one of our admissions advisors.
To book an admission consultation, or simply to find out more information, don't hesitate to contact Rhodes Wellness College by calling (604) 708-4416 (Monday to Friday, 9AM to 5PM) or emailing
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Classes fill up quickly and early registration is recommended. |
